Dual panel visual mapping of logical and physical network topologies

A tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing program instructions that cause a device to execute a process comprising:

• providing a graphical user interface that displays two portions, one of the two portions displaying a physical network topology of a computer network and another of the two portions displaying a logical grouping policy applied within the computer network;
• detecting a user selection of one or more first visual representation components on a first portion of the two portions;
• mapping the one or more first visual representation components on the first portion to one or more second visual representation components on a second portion of the two portions based on how the logical grouping policy relates to the physical network topology;
• and
• highlighting, on the graphical user interface in response to the user selection, the one or more first visual representation components on the first portion and the one or more second visual representation components on the second portion.

An apparatus, comprising:

• one or more network interfaces to communicate with a network;
• a processor coupled to the one or more network interfaces and configured to execute one or more processes;
• and
• a memory configured to store a process that is executable by the processor, the process comprising:
• providing a graphical user interface that displays two portions, one of the two portions displaying a physical network topology of a computer network and another of the two portions displaying a logical grouping policy applied within the computer network;
• detecting a user selection of one or more first visual representation components on a first portion of the two portions;
• mapping the one or more first visual representation components on the first portion to one or more second visual representation components on a second portion of the two portions based on how the logical grouping policy relates to the physical network topology;
• and
• highlighting, on the graphical user interface in response to the user selection, the one or more first visual representation components on the first portion and the one or more second visual representation components on the second portion.