Automatic Discovery and Visualization of L2 Network Topology
Leon Unger, Dino Meter, Željko Ilić, Gordan Šišul, Sonja Grgić, Josip Jozić · 2025
Automatic discovery and visualization of network topology are essential for effective network monitoring and management. This paper presents the implementation of a system that uses SNMP, LLDP, and SSH protocols to collect real-time topology data from network devices and generate visual representations of the Layer 2 structure of Ethernet networks. The collected data is processed and stored using a custom Django-based application and visualized using the NetworkX library in combination with Zabbix network maps. The proposed solution allows network administrators to generate up-to-date topology maps, enhancing situational awareness and supporting troubleshooting and maintenance tasks. The system was validated in a live network environment, demonstrating accurate and actionable insights with minimal manual intervention.