Virtual grouping of nodes in a Dependency Views map
Summarize
Summary of Virtual grouping of nodes in a Dependency Views map
The Dependency Views feature in ServiceNow allows for the virtual grouping of Configuration Items (CIs) to improve map readability by reducing node density. When the number of nodes of a similar CI type at the same level exceeds a specified threshold, they are automatically grouped into a virtual group represented by a single node. This helps maintain clarity on the map while still indicating the presence of multiple CIs.
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Key Features
- Automatic Grouping: CIs are grouped when they exceed the maximum number allowed for display.
- Virtual Group Node: Represents the grouped CIs but cannot have tasks assigned to it.
- Child Nodes Display: By default, child nodes are hidden but can be shown by enabling the corresponding property.
- Menu Options: Users can expand or collapse virtual groups to manage node visibility.
- Virtual Links: Connect virtual nodes to other nodes, indicating relationships between CIs.
- Predefined Filters: These do not apply to virtual groups and may alter visibility upon expansion.
Key Outcomes
By utilizing virtual grouping, ServiceNow customers can enhance the usability of Dependency Views maps, making it easier to navigate and understand complex CI relationships. This functionality allows for better management and visualization of dependencies without overwhelming the user with too many nodes at once.
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.