Skip to main content

Cluster Matrix

In order to do cluster analysis on the assets, the result of a custom query can be clustered by up to two criteria in the cluster matrix. The data is displayed as a table, with the x- and y-axes configurable by the user. It can be clustered either by properties or by the relation of the assets from the query to other asset types (relates to type).

Configuration​

Follow these steps to configure a cluster matrix from scratch:

  1. Create a new cluster matrix report and open the configuration sidebar on the left.
  2. Use the Query in the Filters tab to add assets to your report.
  3. Open the Content tab and select a property or relation (relates to type) for the x- and y-axis. Assets from the query will be categorized based on those properties or their relation to the set asset type.
  4. Use the Save button on the right to save your cluster matrix report.

For both the horizontal and the vertical axis, the header can be configured separately. By clicking on the sort icon within the Customize axis menu, you can switch between descending and ascending order for each axis. The header is generated by selecting one or more elements for clustering. It can be clustered either by properties (a.) or by links to other asset types (b.):

a. Property-based clustering​

Property-based clustering creates a new column or row for containing all assets with a common value. For example, by adding a horizontal Type categorization you get multiple columns, each containing all assets of the specific asset type.

Multiple headers can be configured to further cluster the assets. The order of headers depends on your configuration.

For example, if you categorize by memory size first, and asset type second. In this case, you get the following header structure as the assets are first categorized by memory size, and then by type.

Link-based clustering generates one or multiple header rows/columns based on how each asset is connected to assets of a specified target asset type. These clustering options are named Related to type X where the X is the target asset type.

Let's assume you use a query that adds all applications to the report and you want to cluster them by the responsible stakeholder: You chose the "Related to type Stakeholder" and get a row per stakeholder showing all the applications the stakeholder is related to.

For link-based clusters there is a set of advanced configuration options available. You can access them via the small icon:

Number of steps​

The maximum number of steps allowed to take to reach our target. This limit is required to prevent too many computations from being ran. Set to 4 by default. Try to increase the number if no results are returned.

In above screenshot you can see the required steps to reach the Stakeholder asset from the Virtual Server Asset. For example, you add VM #1 and VM #2 to a cluster matrix report and set the y-axis header to related to type Stakeholder. If you set the Number of steps to 2, then the related Stakeholder of VM #1 would be "not defined", as the Stakeholder can not be reached within 2 steps. VM #2 would be correctly displayed in the group "Clara Cluster".

Determines the scope and behavior of path searching, with "Simple Paths" limiting to paths where each asset type appears at most once, "All Paths" allowing any path but stopping at the first target match, and "All Paths and Hierarchies" extending the search through same-type hierarchies after finding target matches.

As an example, consider the following simplified data model:

A possible asset path that conforms to the data model can look like this:

As you can see, the data model contains a cyclic path, whereas the asset path that conforms to the data model is acyclic.
Suppose you add App1 to your cluster matrix report and set the y-axis to related to type Physical Server.

Setting the navigation mode to "Simple Path" results in "not defined" for the y-axis, as the path includes the asset type "Virtual Server" twice.
Switching the navigation mode to "All Paths" displays the desired result - ESX1 on the y-axis.

For the "All Paths and Hierarchies" mode, consider the y-axis related to type Virtual Server. In both the "Simple Path" and "All Paths" modes, the y-axis result will be VM2, since we stop at the first asset of type "Virtual Server". In "All Paths and Hierarchies" mode, the result is VM1, as the search is extended through same-type hierarchies after finding target matches.

Direction​

Restrict the search for either incoming or outgoing links, allow both or none at all. By default this is set to both so the chance is higher of result being returned. The "none" option is useful when used in combination with the link override options to consider only specific link types.

Override direction options for specific links or links with tags.

If there are multiple links from your applications to the stakeholder, but you are only interested in a single one, you have the option to restrict the considered link types. In Txtures default data model, the two link types caretaker and owner connect the application and stakeholder asset types. If you are only intereste in one link type, you can select that link type in the filter.

Display Modes​

Count assets​

Count assets is an alternative view mode where the number in the cell indicates the number of assets matching the two criteria (defined by the axis).

The small bar below the number indicates the relative size of the individual count compared to the biggest count in the report.

List assets​

Showing all assets in a list is the default view mode for the cluster matrix. It shows a list of assets matching the two criteria (defined by the axis). Each entry contains the assets icon, name and (optionally) the caption and colors defined by property based styling.

Additional functionalities can be used in this view mode:

Show all assets​

Only a limited number of assets is shown by default. For example, a cell with 20 assets will show the first few and allows a show more button to show the rest. The Show all assets button can be used to expand all cells at once.

Show Neighbors​

When show neighbors is enabled, each asset in the cell will be viewed with its neighboring assets. By default all neighbors are shown. This can be filtered using the hide links functionality.

Styling​

All configured conditional stylings are applied on the shown assets and there is full asset detail sidebar support as known from the table report. Note that conditional styling rules can be applied globally and per report.

Export​

The Cluster Matrix can printed or exported as a spreadsheet-file by using the report menu in the upper right corner.