Virtual grouping of nodes in a Dependency Views map
Summarize
Summary of Virtual grouping of nodes in a Dependency Views map
Virtual grouping in Dependency Views helps manage map density by automatically consolidating Configuration Items (CIs) of the same type from the same level into a single virtual group node when a predefined threshold is exceeded. This feature enhances map readability by reducing clutter while still representing the underlying CIs.
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Key Features
- Automatic Grouping: When the number of similar CIs exceeds the configured limit, they are grouped into a virtual group, displayed as a single node.
- Virtual Group Node: This node indicates the presence of multiple CIs while hiding the individual nodes. The count of hidden nodes is displayed on the virtual group node.
- Child Node Visibility: By default, child nodes of a virtual group are hidden, but can be displayed by enabling the relevant property.
- Menu Options: Users can expand or collapse virtual groups to view or hide individual nodes as needed.
- Virtual Links: Virtual nodes are connected to other nodes via virtual links, indicating relationships between CIs within the virtual group and other nodes.
- Filter Behavior: Predefined filters do not apply to virtual groups; however, they are enforced upon expansion, which may result in some CIs not displaying.
Key Outcomes
Utilizing virtual grouping allows ServiceNow customers to maintain clearer Dependency Views maps, improving usability and visual organization. By managing node density, users can efficiently navigate and analyze complex CI relationships while easily accessing detailed information when necessary.
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.