Multilingual Wiki Documentation

You are currently using syntax.
In an attempt to improve PlantUML documentation...
Please do not use this website for your own diagrams.
You can click here and use the online server here for your own documentation.

Wiki Toc    View page history    Add new chapter    Reorder page    Raw

Network Diagram with nwdiag

A network diagram is a visual representation of a computer or telecommunications network. It illustrates the arrangement and interconnections of network components, including servers, routers, switches, hubs, and devices. Network diagrams are invaluable tools for network engineers and administrators to understand, set up, and troubleshoot networks. They are also essential for visualizing the structure and flow of data in a network, ensuring optimal performance and security.

nwdiag, developed by Takeshi Komiya, provides a streamlined platform to swiftly sketch network diagrams. We extend our gratitude to Takeshi for this innovative tool!

Given its intuitive syntax, nwdiag has been seamlessly integrated into PlantUML. The examples showcased here are inspired by the ones documented by Takeshi.

Simple diagram

Define a network

@startuml
nwdiag {
  network dmz {
      address = "210.x.x.x/24"
  }
}
@enduml

Define some elements or servers on a network

@startuml
nwdiag {
  network dmz {
      address = "210.x.x.x/24"

      web01 [address = "210.x.x.1"];
      web02 [address = "210.x.x.2"];
  }
}
@enduml

Full example

@startuml
nwdiag {
  network dmz {
      address = "210.x.x.x/24"

      web01 [address = "210.x.x.1"];
      web02 [address = "210.x.x.2"];
  }
  network internal {
      address = "172.x.x.x/24";

      web01 [address = "172.x.x.1"];
      web02 [address = "172.x.x.2"];
      db01;
      db02;
  }
}
@enduml

Define multiple addresses

 

@startuml
nwdiag {
  network dmz {
      address = "210.x.x.x/24"

      // set multiple addresses (using comma)
      web01 [address = "210.x.x.1, 210.x.x.20"];
      web02 [address = "210.x.x.2"];
  }
  network internal {
      address = "172.x.x.x/24";

      web01 [address = "172.x.x.1"];
      web02 [address = "172.x.x.2"];
      db01;
      db02;
  }
}
@enduml

Grouping nodes

Define group inside network definitions

@startuml
nwdiag {
  network Sample_front {
    address = "192.168.10.0/24";

    // define group
    group web {
      web01 [address = ".1"];
      web02 [address = ".2"];
    }
  }
  network Sample_back {
    address = "192.168.20.0/24";
    web01 [address = ".1"];
    web02 [address = ".2"];
    db01 [address = ".101"];
    db02 [address = ".102"];

    // define network using defined nodes
    group db {
      db01;
      db02;
    }
  }
}
@enduml

Define group outside of network definitions

@startuml
nwdiag {
  // define group outside of network definitions
  group {
    color = "#FFAAAA";

    web01;
    web02;
    db01;
  }

  network dmz {
    web01;
    web02;
  }
  network internal {
    web01;
    web02;
    db01;
    db02;
  }
}
@enduml

Define several groups on same network

Example with 2 group

@startuml
nwdiag {
  group {
    color = "#FFaaaa";
    web01;
    db01;
  }
  group {
    color = "#aaaaFF";
    web02;
    db02;
  }
  network dmz {
      address = "210.x.x.x/24"

      web01 [address = "210.x.x.1"];
      web02 [address = "210.x.x.2"];
  }
  network internal {
      address = "172.x.x.x/24";

      web01 [address = "172.x.x.1"];
      web02 [address = "172.x.x.2"];
      db01 ;
      db02 ;
  }
}
@enduml

[Ref. QA-12663]

Example with 3 groups

@startuml
nwdiag {
  group {
    color = "#FFaaaa";
    web01;
    db01;
  }
  group {
    color = "#aaFFaa";
    web02;
    db02;
  }
  group {
    color = "#aaaaFF";
    web03;
    db03;
  }

  network dmz {
      web01;
      web02;
      web03;
  }
  network internal {
      web01;
      db01 ;
      web02;
      db02 ;
      web03;
      db03;
  }
}
@enduml

[Ref. QA-13138]

Extended Syntax (for network or group)

Network

For network or network's component, you can add or change:
  • addresses (separated by comma ,);
  • color;
  • description;
  • shape.

@startuml
nwdiag {
  network Sample_front {
    address = "192.168.10.0/24"
    color = "red"

    // define group
    group web {
      web01 [address = ".1, .2", shape = "node"]
      web02 [address = ".2, .3"]
    }
  }
  network Sample_back {
    address = "192.168.20.0/24"
    color = "palegreen"
    web01 [address = ".1"]
    web02 [address = ".2"]
    db01 [address = ".101", shape = database ]
    db02 [address = ".102"]

    // define network using defined nodes
    group db {
      db01;
      db02;
    }
  }
}
@enduml

Group

For a group, you can add or change: 

@startuml
nwdiag {
  group {
    color = "#CCFFCC";
    description = "Long group description";

    web01;
    web02;
    db01;
  }

  network dmz {
    web01;
    web02;
  }
  network internal {
    web01;
    web02;
    db01 [address = ".101", shape = database];
  }
}
@enduml

[Ref. QA-12056]

Using Sprites

You can use all sprites (icons) from the Standard Library or any other library.

Use the notation <$sprite> to use a sprite, \n to make a new line, or any other Creole syntax. 

@startuml
!include <office/Servers/application_server>
!include <office/Servers/database_server>

nwdiag {
  network dmz {
      address = "210.x.x.x/24"

      // set multiple addresses (using comma)
      web01 [address = "210.x.x.1, 210.x.x.20",  description = "<$application_server>\n web01"]
      web02 [address = "210.x.x.2",  description = "<$application_server>\n web02"];
  }
  network internal {
      address = "172.x.x.x/24";

      web01 [address = "172.x.x.1"];
      web02 [address = "172.x.x.2"];
      db01 [address = "172.x.x.100",  description = "<$database_server>\n db01"];
      db02 [address = "172.x.x.101",  description = "<$database_server>\n db02"];
  }
}
@enduml

[Ref. QA-11862]

Using OpenIconic

You can also use the icons from OpenIconic in network or node descriptions.

Use the notation <&icon> to make an icon, <&icon*n> to multiply the size by a factor n, and \n to make a newline: 

@startuml

nwdiag {
  group nightly {
    color = "#FFAAAA";
    description = "<&clock> Restarted nightly <&clock>";
    web02;
    db01;
  }
  network dmz {
      address = "210.x.x.x/24"

      user [description = "<&person*4.5>\n user1"];
      // set multiple addresses (using comma)
      web01 [address = "210.x.x.1, 210.x.x.20",  description = "<&cog*4>\nweb01"]
      web02 [address = "210.x.x.2",  description = "<&cog*4>\nweb02"];

  }
  network internal {
      address = "172.x.x.x/24";

      web01 [address = "172.x.x.1"];
      web02 [address = "172.x.x.2"];
      db01 [address = "172.x.x.100",  description = "<&spreadsheet*4>\n db01"];
      db02 [address = "172.x.x.101",  description = "<&spreadsheet*4>\n db02"];
      ptr  [address = "172.x.x.110",  description = "<&print*4>\n ptr01"];
  }
}
@enduml

Same nodes on more than two networks

You can use same nodes on different networks (more than two networks); nwdiag use in this case 'jump line' over networks. 

@startuml
nwdiag {
  // define group at outside network definitions
  group {
    color = "#7777FF";

    web01;
    web02;
    db01;
  }

  network dmz {
    color = "pink"

    web01;
    web02;
  }

  network internal {
    web01;
    web02;
    db01 [shape = database ];
  }

  network internal2 {
    color = "LightBlue";

    web01;
    web02;
    db01;
  }

}
@enduml

Peer networks

Peer networks are simple connections between two nodes, for which we don't use a horizontal "busbar" network 

@startuml
nwdiag {
  inet [shape = cloud];
  inet -- router;

  network {
    router;
    web01;
    web02;
  }
}
@enduml

Peer networks and group

Without group

@startuml
nwdiag {
    internet [ shape = cloud];
    internet -- router;

    network proxy {
        router;
        app;
    }
    network default {
    	app;
        db;
    }
}
@enduml

Group on first

@startuml
nwdiag {
    internet [ shape = cloud];
    internet -- router;

    group {
      color = "pink";
      app;
      db;
    }

    network proxy {
        router;
        app;
    }

    network default {
    	app;
        db;
    }
}
@enduml

Group on second

@startuml
nwdiag {
    internet [ shape = cloud];
    internet -- router;

    network proxy {
        router;
        app;
    }

    group {
      color = "pink";
      app;
      db;
    }

    network default {
    	app;
        db;
    }
}
@enduml

Group on third

@startuml
nwdiag {
    internet [ shape = cloud];
    internet -- router;

    network proxy {
        router;
        app;
    }
    network default {
    	app;
        db;
    }
    group {
      color = "pink";
      app;
      db;
    }
}
@enduml

[Ref. Issue#408 and QA-12655]

Add title, caption, header, footer or legend on network diagram

 

@startuml

header some header

footer some footer

title My title

nwdiag {
  network inet {
      web01 [shape = cloud]
  }
}

legend
The legend
end legend

caption This is caption
@enduml

[Ref. QA-11303 and Common commands]

With or without shadow

With shadow (by default)

@startuml
nwdiag {
  network nw {
    server;
    internet;
  }
  internet [shape = cloud];
}
@enduml

Without shadow

@startuml
<style>
root {
 shadowing 0
}
</style>
nwdiag {
  network nw {
    server;
    internet;
  }
  internet [shape = cloud];
}
@enduml

[Ref. QA-14516]

Change width of the networks

You can change the width of the networks, especially in order to have the same full width for only some or all networks.

Here are some examples, with all the possibilities.

First example

  • without

@startuml
nwdiag {
  network NETWORK_BASE {
   dev_A [address = "dev_A" ]
   dev_B [address = "dev_B" ]
  }
  network IntNET1 {
   dev_B [address = "dev_B1" ]
   dev_M [address = "dev_M1" ]
  }
  network IntNET2 {
   dev_B [address = "dev_B2" ]
   dev_M [address = "dev_M2" ]
 }
}
@enduml

  • only the first

@startuml
nwdiag {
  network NETWORK_BASE {
   width = full
   dev_A [address = "dev_A" ]
   dev_B [address = "dev_B" ]
  }
  network IntNET1 {
   dev_B [address = "dev_B1" ]
   dev_M [address = "dev_M1" ]
  }
  network IntNET2 {
   dev_B [address = "dev_B2" ]
   dev_M [address = "dev_M2" ]
 }
}
@enduml

  • the first and the second

@startuml
nwdiag {
  network NETWORK_BASE {
   width = full
   dev_A [address = "dev_A" ]
   dev_B [address = "dev_B" ]
  }
  network IntNET1 {
   width = full
   dev_B [address = "dev_B1" ]
   dev_M [address = "dev_M1" ]
  }
  network IntNET2 {
   dev_B [address = "dev_B2" ]
   dev_M [address = "dev_M2" ]
 }
}
@enduml

  • all the network (with same full width)

@startuml
nwdiag {
  network NETWORK_BASE {
   width = full
   dev_A [address = "dev_A" ]
   dev_B [address = "dev_B" ]
  }
  network IntNET1 {
   width = full
   dev_B [address = "dev_B1" ]
   dev_M [address = "dev_M1" ]
  }
  network IntNET2 {
   width = full
   dev_B [address = "dev_B2" ]
   dev_M [address = "dev_M2" ]
 }
}
@enduml

Second example

  • without

@startuml
nwdiag {
  e1
  network n1 {
    e1
    e2
    e3
  }

  network n2 {
    e3
    e4
    e5
  }

  network n3 {
    e2
    e6
  }
}
@enduml

  • only the first

@startuml
nwdiag {
  e1
  network n1 {
    width = full
    e1
    e2
    e3
  }

  network n2 {
    e3
    e4
    e5
  }

  network n3 {
    e2
    e6
  }
}
@enduml

  • the first and the second

@startuml
nwdiag {
  e1
  network n1 {
    width = full
    e1
    e2
    e3
  }

  network n2 {
    width = full
    e3
    e4
    e5
  }

  network n3 {
    e2
    e6
  }
}
@enduml

  • all the network (with same full width)

@startuml
nwdiag {
  e1
  network n1 {
    width = full
    e1
    e2
    e3
  }

  network n2 {
    width = full
    e3
    e4
    e5
  }

  network n3 {
    width = full
    e2
    e6
  }
}
@enduml

Other internal networks

You can define other internal networks (TCP/IP, USB, SERIAL,...).

  • Without address or type

@startuml
nwdiag {
  network LAN1 {
     a [address = "a1"];
  }
  network LAN2 {
     a [address = "a2"];
     switch;
  }
  switch -- equip;
  equip -- printer;
}
@enduml

  • With address or type

@startuml
nwdiag {
  network LAN1 {
     a [address = "a1"];
  }
  network LAN2 {
     a [address = "a2"];
     switch [address = "s2"];
  }
  switch -- equip;
  equip [address = "e3"];
  equip -- printer;
  printer [address = "USB"];
}
@enduml

[Ref. QA-12824]

Using (global) style

Without style (by default)

@startuml
nwdiag {
  network DMZ {
      address = "y.x.x.x/24"
      web01 [address = "y.x.x.1"];
      web02 [address = "y.x.x.2"];
  }

   network Internal {
    web01;
    web02;
    db01 [address = "w.w.w.z", shape = database];
  } 

    group {
    description = "long group label";
    web01;
    web02;
    db01;
  }
}
@enduml

With style

You can use style to change rendering of elements. 

@startuml
<style>
nwdiagDiagram {
  network {
    BackGroundColor green
    LineColor red
    LineThickness 1.0
    FontSize 18
    FontColor navy
  }
  server {
    BackGroundColor pink
    LineColor yellow
    LineThickness 1.0
    ' FontXXX only for description or label
    FontSize 18
    FontColor #blue
  }
  arrow {
    ' FontXXX only for address 
    FontSize 17
    FontColor #red
    FontName Monospaced
    LineColor black
  }
  group {
    BackGroundColor cadetblue
    LineColor black
    LineThickness 2.0
    FontSize 11
    FontStyle bold
    Margin 5
    Padding 5
  }
}
</style>
nwdiag {
  network DMZ {
      address = "y.x.x.x/24"
      web01 [address = "y.x.x.1"];
      web02 [address = "y.x.x.2"];
  }

   network Internal {
    web01;
    web02;
    db01 [address = "w.w.w.z", shape = database];
  } 

    group {
    description = "long group label";
    web01;
    web02;
    db01;
  }
}
@enduml

[Ref. QA-14479]

Appendix: Test of all shapes on Network diagram (nwdiag)

 

@startuml
nwdiag {
  network Network {
    Actor       [shape = actor]       
    Agent       [shape = agent]       
    Artifact    [shape = artifact]    
    Boundary    [shape = boundary]    
    Card        [shape = card]        
    Cloud       [shape = cloud]       
    Collections [shape = collections] 
    Component   [shape = component]   
  }
}
@enduml


@startuml
nwdiag {
  network Network {
    Control     [shape = control]     
    Database    [shape = database]    
    Entity      [shape = entity]      
    File        [shape = file]        
    Folder      [shape = folder]      
    Frame       [shape = frame]       
    Hexagon     [shape = hexagon]     
    Interface   [shape = interface]   
  }
}
@enduml


@startuml
nwdiag {
  network Network {
    Label       [shape = label]       
    Node        [shape = node]        
    Package     [shape = package]     
    Person      [shape = person]      
    Queue       [shape = queue]       
    Stack       [shape = stack]       
    Rectangle   [shape = rectangle]   
    Storage     [shape = storage]     
    Usecase     [shape = usecase]     
  }
}
@enduml

FIXME
  1. Overlap of label for folder
  2. Hexagon shape is missing

@startuml
nwdiag {
network Network {
Folder [shape = folder]
Hexagon [shape = hexagon]
}
}
@enduml


@startuml
nwdiag {
network Network {
Folder [shape = folder, description = "Test, long long label\nTest, long long label"]
Hexagon [shape = hexagon, description = "Test, long long label\nTest, long long label"]
}
}
@enduml

FIXME

Please report any bugs to plantuml@gmail.com or here.
This website is still in beta testing.