---
title: "Getting Started with Network Visualisation"
canonical: "https://docs.rubiconwater.com/space/NVNC/1990492174/Getting%20Started%20with%20Network%20Visualisation"
format: markdown
---
> Macro (toc)

# About Network Visualisation

Network Visualisation provides a network schematic of your water distribution system. You can use this application to view objects and orders on your network and examine their properties, to view trends, to analyse network problems, and to manage alarms.

## Network Connections

A network is a collection of interconnected objects. In Rubicon applications, the network usually represents a water distribution system.

In Rubicon networks, you may have the following types of objects in your network:

- Objects that distribute water such as outlets, regulators and reaches. The connections between these objects control how water can flow through the network.
- Other related objects such as properties, areas and authorisations.

## Links and Nodes

In network terminology, the network consists of nodes that represent single points in the network, and links that represent the stretches between two nodes. Objects in your network are therefore classified as node objects or link objects in the host database:

- Node objects contain a single network node. Node objects include outlets which represent end points in the water distribution network.
- Link objects contain two (or more) network nodes. Link objects include regulators and reaches.

Other related objects are also classified as node objects or link objects in the host database depending on how many network nodes they can be associated with. For example, areas and groups are "link objects" because they are collections of many network nodes. Authorisations are "node objects", because they are associated with a single outlet.

## Abutments

Two or more network nodes are connected by creating an *abutment* between the nodes. You can use the **Show Abutments** tool to confirm that network objects are connected correctly. See [https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/NVNC/pages/1990459575](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/NVNC/pages/1990459575) for more details.

# Starting Network Visualisation

When you first access the Network Visualisation tool, you will select an option from Rubicon Web Start. Use the link provided by your System Administrator. The launcher application is downloaded to your local machine and runs from there.

Then next time you run the application, you can simply double-click on the shortcut on your desktop. The application will automatically check for and download any updates. You may be prompted to allow the application to go online and check for updates.

# Logging in to Network Visualisation

You do not have to log in to the Network Visualisation tool to just view the network. However, if you want to use any of the additional tools you will need to log in so that the application knows what objects you have authority to work with.

> ℹ️ **Note**
> ℹ️ 
> ℹ️ If options are disabled on the Network Visualisation menu, you will need to log in to be able to use them.

To log in, choose **System > Log In** from the main menu.

---