CiscoWorks - creating view for MPLS WAN Links

[nkariyawasam]

I have a customer using Cisco works, and he has WAN cloud consisting FR links. He could see the Cisco View properly for WAN links, by enabling CDP on the WAN links.

Now he is migrating to MPLS links and obviusly he cannot run CDP over MPLS could. Therefore remote branches seen as isolated and they not see any links.

Is there any workaoround to this issue ?

[Joe Clarke]

No, there is no workaround. While you can add a seed device from each branch site, you cannot manually create links between the branches and the head end. CDP, ILMI, or ELMI is required to build links on the Topology Map.

[nkariyawasam]

Somebody has told customer that they can create a tunnel from HO to branch, and run CDP over it to "whow" a link. Is this possible ?

[Joe Clarke]

As long as CDP is properly negotiated on both sides of the tunnel, then this will work. However, redesigning the network so that you get a link on Campus Manager seems like a bit of overkill. That may introduce newer management problems, and possibly new bugs on the devices.

[nkariyawasam]

Thanks for the answer.

Is there any other workaround for this issue ( ex. to change the topology creation protocol form CDP to SNMP ) ?

If not is ther any other Cisco/ 3 rd part tool available to deal with this type of links ?

[Joe Clarke]

No, Campus can only use CDP, ILMI, or ELMI to build its topology. I know of no other general Cisco mapping applications. But tools like WhatsUp Gold, HPOV NNM, etc. can build maps based on other information.