Virtual grouping of nodes in a Dependency Views map
Summarize
Summary of Virtual grouping of nodes in a Dependency Views map
Dependency Views maps in ServiceNow automatically use virtual grouping to manage map density by grouping Configuration Items (CIs) of similar types at the same hierarchical level. This feature helps prevent maps from becoming cluttered and difficult to interpret when many nodes are present.
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How Virtual Grouping Works
- When the count of nodes of a similar CI type at the same level exceeds a configured maximum, those nodes are collapsed into a single virtual group node.
- The virtual group node represents multiple CIs but is not itself a CI, so tasks cannot be assigned to it.
- The virtual group node displays the number of collapsed nodes it contains.
- By default, child nodes of virtual groups are hidden, but this can be changed by enabling the "Show children of virtual groups" property.
- Virtual grouping does not apply to the immediate child level below a virtual group, even if the criteria are met, but it can apply at deeper levels.
Interacting with Virtual Groups
- Users can expand or collapse virtual groups via menu options to toggle between viewing the grouped node or all individual nodes.
- Virtual nodes connect to other nodes via virtual links, indicating at least one underlying CI in the group has a connection to another CI on the map.
Important Considerations
- Predefined filters do not affect the visibility of virtual groups themselves; however, filters are applied when a virtual group is expanded, which may cause some CIs to not display.
- When using the "Load More" node menu option to add nodes dynamically, virtual grouping is not applied at the newly loaded level, even if criteria are met.
Benefits for ServiceNow Customers
Virtual grouping enhances the usability of Dependency Views maps by reducing visual clutter and simplifying navigation through complex CI relationships. It enables efficient identification of grouped CIs and their connections without losing detail when expanded. Customers can configure the maximum node count for grouping and control the display of child nodes, tailoring the map visualization to their needs.
To reduce the density on a map, Dependency Views automatically groups CIs of a similar CI type from the same level.
A large number of nodes can cause a Dependency Views map to become too dense to be helpful. Therefore, if the number of nodes with a similar CI type from same level, exceeds the value of the Maximum number of nodes (of a similar CI type and at the same level) to display before applying virtual grouping property, then those nodes are automatically grouped into a virtual group. A single node, the virtual group node is displayed to represent the virtual group, while all actual nodes in the virtual group (that are of a similar CI type), are hidden. Virtual group nodes represent CIs of a similar CI type but are not CIs by themselves and cannot have tasks assigned to them. The number of actual collapsed nodes in the virtual group is noted on the virtual group node.
By default, child nodes of a virtual group are not displayed. You can enable the Show children of virtual groups property to display child nodes underneath virtual groups.
Virtual grouping is not applied at the level underneath a virtual group even if the criteria for virtual grouping is met (the number of nodes with a similar CI type from that level exceeds the preconfigured property value). However, virtual grouping can happen at the following level if that criteria is met. This behavior does not depend on any property settings, and you cannot change it.
Menu options for a virtual group include Expand and Collapse, which allow you to apply virtual grouping and display only the virtual group node, or to undo the virtual grouping and display all actual nodes.
Virtual links
A virtual node is connected to other nodes with a virtual link. A virtual link denotes that there such link between at least one CI in the virtual group, to another CI node on the map.
Also, when using the node menu option Load More, virtual grouping is not applied at the newly loaded level even the criteria for virtual grouping is met.