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 automatically consolidates configuration items (CIs) of the same type at the same level to enhance map clarity. When the number of similar CIs exceeds a predefined threshold, they are grouped into a virtual node, simplifying the visual representation of complex maps.
Show less
Key Features
- Automatic Grouping: CIs exceeding the maximum number display threshold are consolidated into a virtual group node, which represents all hidden nodes of that type.
- Virtual Group Nodes: These nodes cannot have tasks assigned and display the count of actual nodes contained within.
- Child Node Visibility: By default, child nodes are hidden, but you can opt to display them by enabling the Show children of virtual groups property.
- Menu Options: Users can expand or collapse virtual groups to manage visibility of nodes effectively.
- Virtual Links: These links indicate connections from the virtual group to other CIs on the map.
- Filter Behavior: Predefined filters do not apply to virtual groups until they are expanded; then, filters may affect displayed CIs.
Key Outcomes
This feature helps ServiceNow customers manage complex Dependency Views by reducing visual clutter and enhancing usability. By simplifying the display of nodes, users can focus on critical relationships and dependencies without being overwhelmed by excess information. The functionality to show or hide child nodes and manage virtual grouping provides flexibility in visualizing data based on specific 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.