Skills network

Create network topology diagrams using PlantUML syntax with mxgraph device icons (Cisco, Citrix, etc.). Best for LAN/WAN layouts, datacenter interconnects, and physical/logical network design.

install

source · Clone the upstream repo

git clone https://github.com/markdown-viewer/skills

Claude Code · Install into ~/.claude/skills/

T=$(mktemp -d) && git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/markdown-viewer/skills "$T" && mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && cp -r "$T/network" ~/.claude/skills/markdown-viewer-skills-network && rm -rf "$T"

manifest: network/SKILL.md

source content

Network Topology Diagram Generator

Quick Start: Choose topology type → Declare stencil icons for network devices → Connect with arrow syntax → Group into zones with

rectangle

package

→ Wrap in

```plantuml

fence.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Always use
```plantuml
or
```puml
code fence. NEVER use
```text
— it will NOT render as a diagram.

Critical Rules

Every diagram starts with
```
@startuml
```
and ends with
```
@enduml
```
Use
```
mxgraph.*
```
stencil syntax for network device icons (routers, switches, firewalls, etc.)
Default colors are applied automatically — you do NOT need to specify
```
fillColor
```
or
```
strokeColor
```

Use

rectangle "Zone" { ... }

package "Zone" { ... }

to group devices into network zones

Use
```
cloud "Name" { ... }
```
for cloud/Internet shapes
Bidirectional physical links use
```
--
```
(no arrow); directed flows use
```
-->
```
Dashed lines for VPN/wireless/logical links use
```
..
```
or
```
..>
```
Use
```
skinparam
```
for global styling

Full stencil reference: See stencils/README.md for 9500+ available icons.

Mxgraph Stencil Syntax

mxgraph.<namespace>.<icon> "Label" as <alias>
mxgraph.<namespace>.<icon> "Label" as <alias> #color
mxgraph.<namespace>.<icon> <alias>

Common Network Stencil Families

Family	Prefix	Typical Icons
Networks	`mxgraph.networks.*`	`switch` , `router` , `firewall` , `server` , `pc` , `laptop` , `wireless_hub` , `cloud`
Cisco	`mxgraph.cisco.*`	`routers.router` , `switches.layer_3_switch` , `security.firewall` , `servers.fileserver`
Cisco 19	`mxgraph.cisco19.*`	`nexus_9300` , `nexus_5k` , `fabric_interconnect` , `ucs_5108_blade_chassis` , `storage`
Cisco SAFE	`mxgraph.cisco_safe.security_icons.*`	`ngfw` , `waf` , `ids` , `siem` , `nac` , `vpn` , `ddos` , `malware_sandbox`
Citrix	`mxgraph.citrix2.*`	`netscaler_gateway` , `storefront` , `delivery_controller` , `vda`

Connection Types

Syntax	Meaning	Use Case
`A -- B`	Solid line, no arrow	Physical Ethernet / LAN link
`A --> B`	Solid line with arrow	Directed traffic flow
`A .. B`	Dashed line, no arrow	VPN tunnel / wireless link
`A ..> B`	Dashed line with arrow	Directed VPN / logical flow
`A -- B : "label"`	Labeled connection	Link description

Quick Example

@startuml
mxgraph.networks.cloud "Internet" as inet
mxgraph.networks.firewall "Firewall" as fw
mxgraph.networks.router "Router" as rtr
mxgraph.networks.switch "Switch" as sw

rectangle "Office LAN" {
  mxgraph.networks.pc "PC 1" as pc1
  mxgraph.networks.pc "PC 2" as pc2
  mxgraph.networks.server "Server" as srv
}

inet -- fw
fw -- rtr
rtr -- sw
sw -- pc1
sw -- pc2
sw -- srv
@enduml

Network Diagram Types

Type	Purpose	Key Stencils	Example
LAN	Local network topology	`mxgraph.networks.*`	lan-topology.md
WAN	Wide area network	`mxgraph.cisco.*`	wan-topology.md
Enterprise	Corporate infrastructure	`mxgraph.cisco.*`	enterprise-network.md
Cisco	Cisco-specific icons	`mxgraph.cisco.*`	cisco-network.md
Wireless	WiFi network	`mxgraph.networks.*`	wireless-network.md
Cloud Hybrid	On-premise + Cloud	`mxgraph.cisco.*`	hybrid-cloud.md
Citrix	Virtual Apps/Desktops	`mxgraph.citrix2.*`	citrix-network.md
Security	Defence-in-depth	`mxgraph.cisco_safe.security_icons.*`	security-architecture.md
Data Center	Spine-Leaf / UCS / SAN	`mxgraph.cisco19.*`	datacenter-network.md