What are connections, zones and layers?
A network diagram is more than a pile of separate icons. The real value lies in the relationships: which server talks to which database, over which protocol, and inside which subnet. In NetPlottr DiagramTool by Cloud Captains you express that with three tools that complement each other.
- Connections are the lines between components. They show what communicates with what, and through line styles, protocol labels and animations they also show how.
- Zones are coloured areas that let you group components visually, for example a subnet, a datacenter or a DMZ.
- Layers help you keep a busy diagram manageable, so you can work on parts of it separately.
Everything happens 100% locally in your browser. There is no login and no cloud, so your network drawing never leaves your computer. You will find more background at netplottr.com.
Connecting two components
Connecting in NetPlottr takes two clicks: pick the source, choose Connect, click the target. After that the line automatically follows both components when you move them.
Connect two components
- Click the source component (for example a Webserver) so it is selected.
- Choose Connect, either from the right-click context menu or the toolbar.
- Click the target component (for example a Database) to draw the line.
- The connection appears; select it to adjust the line style, protocol and animation.
Work faster with the context menu
Right-clicking a component opens the context menu with Connect, Edit, Duplicate and Delete. That saves trips back to the toolbar when you are drawing many lines in a row.
Line styles: solid, dashed and dotted
The line style is a visual signal. By choosing deliberately, you make the type of connection clear at a glance.
- Solid fits a fixed, production connection well.
- Dashed is often used for a logical or less permanent link, such as a planned route or a backup path.
- Dotted is handy for a weak, optional or future connection.
These meanings are a convention, not a technical rule. Agree within your team on what each style means and stick to it, so everyone reads the diagram the same way.
Protocol labels on a connection
You can show a protocol label on a connection so it is clear which traffic runs over it. NetPlottr offers labels such as SSH, FTP, RDP, LDAP, REST and SNMP.
Add a protocol label
- Select the connection you want to label.
- Choose the protocol label you need, for example SSH for management access or REST for an API call.
- The label appears on the line; repeat this for every connection where the traffic is relevant.
Labels make a diagram self-explanatory
A line between a Laptop and a Server says little. A line labelled SSH instantly tells you it is about management access. From a Webserver to an API Gateway, REST is often the logical choice, and between a Domain Controller and clients you usually see LDAP.
Animations and badges
Beyond style and label, you can bring a connection to life with animation. You choose between flow, packets or no animation.
- Flow shows continuous movement along the line, handy to suggest an active data stream.
- Packets sends separate dots along the line, as if packets are being transmitted.
- None keeps the line static, which reads calmest in large diagrams.
Badges let you add a small accent to a connection for extra context. Use animations sparingly: a few moving lines stand out, but a diagram where everything moves quickly becomes noisy.
Pick the animation for your goal
Going to export the diagram as a GIF? Then animations like flow or packets really come into their own. Making a PNG or a calm overview for documentation? Then None is often the better choice.
Zones: grouping like subnets and datacenters
A zone is a coloured area behind your components that visually keeps them together. It makes boundaries visible that matter in a network but that you would otherwise not see.
Common uses:
- A subnet such as 10.0.1.0/24 as one coloured area.
- A datacenter or location, with all the equipment that physically sits there.
- A DMZ or security zone, to make clear what is publicly reachable.
- An environment such as production, test or acceptance.
Group with a zone
- Add a Zone from the Tools and Notes library.
- Drag the zone into place and resize it so the right components fall inside.
- Give the zone a recognisable name, for example the subnet or the location.
- Set a colour accent so the zone stands out from other groups.
Zones group visually, not automatically
A zone is a visual aid and does not automatically change the components or connections inside it. If you drag a component out of the zone, it no longer belongs to that group visually. So when you move things around, check that everything still falls inside the right zone.
The Layers tab
With a growing diagram, things get crowded fast. The Layers tab gives you an overview of the parts of your drawing, so you can work in a focused way instead of hunting through a tangle of icons.
Use layers to approach parts of your diagram separately. That keeps a complex schema, for example a drawing with several subnets and dozens of devices, manageable and organised.
Multi-select and alignment
Neatly aligned components read calmer and more professional. NetPlottr helps you with multi-select and alignment.
Align several components at once
- Hold Shift and click the components you want to edit one after another.
- All the clicked components are now selected together.
- Use alignment to line them up neatly or space them evenly.
- Move the selection as a whole if you want to shift the entire group.
Shortcuts that speed up your work
Shift and click selects multiple components. Ctrl+Z undoes your last action and Ctrl+S saves your project as a .frank file. Because everything stays local, you can save often without anything going to a server.
Putting it together: from loose icons to a readable schema
A strong diagram emerges when the three tools work together. Place your components, draw connections with a fitting line style and protocol label, group them in zones per subnet or datacenter, and align them neatly with multi-select. The Layers tab keeps the whole thing clear.
Want to share the result? Export as PNG (automatically cropped), as GIF when you want to show off the animations, or copy a PNG straight to your clipboard. Your project itself you keep as a .frank file, entirely on your own computer. More information is available at netplottr.com.
How do I remove a connection I drew by accident?
Select the connection and choose Delete, for example via the right-click context menu. If you just made a mistake, Ctrl+Z immediately undoes your last action.
What is the difference between a zone and a layer?
A zone is a coloured area in your drawing that groups components visually, such as a subnet or datacenter. A layer, via the Layers tab, helps you manage a busy diagram clearly. So zones are always visible in the diagram, while layers are mainly a working aid to keep order.
Which protocol labels can I put on a connection?
You can show labels such as SSH, FTP, RDP, LDAP, REST and SNMP. Choose the label that matches the traffic, for example SSH for management access, REST for an API call or LDAP between a Domain Controller and clients.
Are my diagrams stored online anywhere?
No. NetPlottr works 100% locally in your browser, without a login and without a cloud. You keep your projects yourself as a .frank file on your computer. Nothing goes to a server.
Can I include animations in my export?
Yes. If you export your diagram as a GIF, animations like flow or packets are included. If you export as PNG you get a still image, which is often the calmest choice for documentation.
How do I align several components at once?
Hold Shift and click the components you want to select. Then use alignment to line them up or space them evenly. You can also move the selection as a whole.