What Is An Application Map?
An application map in Faddom is a dynamic, real-time visualization that shows how your business applications are structured and how they communicate, organized exactly the way you think about them.
You can group components into tiers such as frontend, backend, database, or custom layers that match your internal architecture. This allows you to document and analyze each application as a whole, with all its dependencies - servers, ports, subnets, and connections - in one place.
By mapping your environment this way, you gain a clear, actionable view that reflects your business logic and processes, making it easier to manage changes, detect issues, plan migrations, and improve security - all with zero agents and full network visibility.
Types of Application Maps
Faddom offers three distinct ways to create application maps:
Traffic Flow-based Maps: These maps are created based on the flow of traffic in your environment. You define the start point of the flow (e.g, server name, IP address, or URL, optionally with a port number) and Faddom will automatically build the map for you.
Tag-based Maps: If you use tags in vCenter or your cloud environment, Faddom automatically detects them. You can then use these existing tags, along with information from Server Properties, to create maps. You also have the option to add or import additional tags directly into our platform. Faddom will then automatically populate the connections between the relevant servers. You can see our guide on importing your Custom Tags.
Search Result Maps: After performing a search within Faddom, you can save the results as a map. This adds the search results to your map list and enables filtering and notifications for any changes related to those search parameters. For more details, refer to Faddom's guide on the Search function.
How to Create the Maps
To create a new Application Map, access the New Application Maps window
Go to Maps > Application Maps from the main dashboard
Select New Map above the map list or create a new one in the middle of the screen
You are then presented with the Create Map screen, where you can select to create a map by Traffic Flow (e.g., IP address, hostname, FQDN, etc.) or Tag Based
Map Name - this is the unique identifier that you will use to see this particular map
Folder - this is where you wish to store the map, by default, this is the Root folder. If you have created subfolders, you can select it here.
After at least one selection has been made and verified, click Create Map to view the initial Tiers of the map. To view it as individual servers, you can select the Map View Icon in the top right.
To continue the creation of the map, you select Next Layer until you are satisfied with the detail or until it greys out. You can select Edit Filter on the right-hand side to view and create filters. For details on how to do this, see our guide on Filters. Once you are happy with the results, click on Save Map
If you wish to edit or add to the starting point for any reason, you select the Edit icon > Map Configuration > Start From. Once amended, you then select Save Map.
To change the view to see the individual servers, you can select the Map View
Understanding Tiers in Application Maps
A Tier in Faddom represents a logical grouping of servers that perform similar functions, typically using the same port or a group of ports. Tiers provide a simplified, high-level view of your infrastructure within an application map, making it easier to understand the roles and relationships of different server groups.
By default, a server is assigned a Tier based on the ports it is communicating on.
Managing Tiers
You can define and modify Tiers in two ways:
Per Map Basis: Tiers can be configured specifically for an individual application map. This allows you to tailor the view to the unique context of that map.
Default for All Maps: Alternatively, you can save your Tier configurations as a default, applying them across all your application maps for consistent organization.
How to Edit Tiers
To edit Tiers, you can access them from the Inventory or directly from an individual map page.
On the map page, open the Map Panel.
Select Edit Tiers.
From here, you can drag and drop existing servers or add new servers into different Tiers.
If you're editing Tiers from within a specific map:
Selecting Update Map will apply your changes only to the map you are currently viewing.
If you want these Tier definitions to apply to all your maps, select Save as Default.
Tier Actions
When viewing an application map in the Tier view, you can right-click on any Tier to access a menu of actions:
Expand - This action reveals the individual servers contained within the Tier. You can also expand the Tier by double-clicking on it. Once expanded, you can perform actions on individual servers (as described below) or move them to a different Tier. To keep a Tier permanently expanded, click the padlock icon.
Resolve DNS names: This initiates a DNS lookup for the IP addresses of all servers within the Tier. Faddom performs this action and requires access to your DNS server. If a server already has a DNS name, it will be updated. Please note: Faddom uses reverse DNS lookup and automatically performs this lookup once per day.
Show Details: This option displays a detailed list of the Tier's members and highlights any recent changes that have occurred within that Tier.
Edit Tiers: This allows you to modify the composition of the Tiers. See the section How to Edit Tiers above
Edit Display - edit the Tier name, color, icon, and the ports included.
Server Actions
You can perform various actions and access detailed information about individual servers. To access the context menu, right-click on a server directly from a map or the search results screen.
Add to impact set: To understand how a specific server might affect your applications, for instance, when planning downtime or a configuration change.
This action adds the selected server (or entity) to the current "impact set." When an entity is part of the impact set, any affected applications will be highlighted in the maps list located in the left pane. Additionally, the selected server itself will be highlighted across all affected maps.
Show incoming: This displays all connections coming into the selected server. These connections are shown with a dashed line, indicating that they were not part of the original map query. You can manually add any of these temporary connections to the map permanently by clicking on the connection and selecting the appropriate option.
To clear the display of these temporary incoming connections, you can either:
Select the server again.
Click "Hide Incoming."
Select "Reset View" from the main View menu.
Show outgoing: This displays all connections originating from the selected server. Similar to incoming connections, you can right-click on a temporary outgoing connection and select Add to Map to permanently include it in your map.
Filter out: This action hides the selected server from the current map view, effectively removing it from the display.
Filter all outgoing: This action hides all connections originating from the selected server, preventing them from being displayed on the map.
Show in search: This redraws the Search screen, setting the selected server as the primary search target. This immediately displays all connections to and from that specific server in a dedicated search view.
Migration Assessment: This opens the migration assessment dialog specifically for the selected server. It provides the same detailed information as the broader "Migration Waves" feature, but focused on an individual server. For more in-depth information, please refer to our How to Use Migration Waves guide.
Resolve DNS name: This performs a DNS lookup to resolve the IP address of the selected server to a DNS name. This action is carried out by Faddom and requires access to your DNS server. If the server already has a DNS name, it will be updated. Please note: Faddom utilizes reverse DNS lookup and automatically performs this resolution once per day.
Create an Application Map: This action allows you to define a brand-new application map that starts with the selected server as its initial entity. For detailed instructions on how to build application maps, see How to Create Maps section on how to do this.
Understanding Connections on Application Maps
On Faddom's application maps, an arrow visually represents the connections between different objects on the map (such as servers or Tiers) and/or client connections.
Connections in Tier View
When you are in the Tier view, the arrows between Tiers will display the number of connections flowing between them. You can gain more insight into these connections:
Click on the connection line: Clicking an arrow between Tiers will open a list detailing each connection, along with some key information about it.
For a more comprehensive explanation of connections and their details on Application Maps, please refer to our dedicated guide: Connections on Application Maps.
Map Views
Faddom's application maps offer three primary display views to help you understand your IT environment:
Tier-Based View: This view provides a high-level overview, showing your defined Tiers and the connections between them.
Map View: This detailed view displays the connections between individual servers.
List View: This presents the connections or servers in a sortable and filterable table format, ideal for reviewing specific data points.
Map Display Modes
Application Maps can be displayed in several different modes, each offering unique insights:
All: Shows the most recent update of the application map, including all changes since the last baseline.
Current: Displays only the latest updated state of the application map.
Baseline: Presents the application map exactly as it was when you initially created or last saved it. This mode does not show any new or removed changes that occurred afterward.
Compare: This powerful mode allows you to visually compare the current topology of your map against its baseline. Utilizing a timeline view, you can easily identify differences (deltas) between the two states, complete with timestamps for each change.
Change Detection
Faddom continuously monitors network traffic and updates server maps based on detected communications. This robust change detection system works as follows:
Establishing a Baseline: Once discovery results are available for a server map, you can "Save Baseline." This action records the map's current state as its reference point.
Automatic Detection & Notification: Faddom continuously monitors for any changes to your server map. When a change is detected, a notification is sent, and the application map will display a "Change Detected" icon.
Identifying Changes: You can then use the "Compare" function (as described above) to contrast the new results with your saved baseline. The timeline bar in Compare mode allows you to easily navigate and visually identify the exact changes that occurred over time.
When you navigate to a map where Faddom has detected changes, a yellow banner will appear across the top of the map with two options
Update Baseline: Selecting this option will update the map to reflect its current actual state. This includes removing connections that are no longer present and converting "purple" connections (refer to your color chart for meaning) to their current state.
Show Change Summary: This provides a comprehensive list of all changes that have occurred on the map. This can also be accessed from the Map Changes icon in the toolbar
Add/Remove the connection: Directly incorporate or eliminate the connection from the map.
Filter out the connection: Hide the connection from the map view.
Ignore the connection: This option allows you to disregard future changes for that specific connection or server, ensuring it remains visible on the map regardless of its current state.
Map Operational Events
Faddom uses a red dot icon in the map list, to alert you to any Operational Events that may affect the functionality of the servers within that map.
To view all events associated with a map, open the Events panel. From there, you can click on individual servers to see their specific events and choose to clear them if desired. For more detailed information, please refer to our guide, Notifications and Events
Map Zones - Legacy Map
When utilizing the Legacy Map view, the Zones feature offers a way to group servers on a particular map without needing to create an IP group. This capability helps you:
Better organize your maps: Create a clearer, more logical structure for your application visualizations.
Improve navigation: Easily understand and move through complex map layouts.
At-a-glance insights: Quickly see which servers collaborate within a specific application.
Internal reporting: Streamline reporting on your business applications by providing clear visual representations.
To create a zone, you can do the following
Click on the Zones icon -
- in the menu to enter Zones Mode
Click anywhere on the map to create the zone
Drag individual servers you want to group into the zone. Alternatively, you can hold shift on your keyboard, and you can click on multiple servers to move them together.
Right click > Edit Zone to change the name and color of the zone
Click on the Zones icon in the menu below to exit Zones Mode
Editing the Map
You can edit the map in several ways by clicking on the edit button or right-clicking on the map name and selecting edit
From the Edit screen, you can take the following options. As this works very similar to creating a new map, you can see the guide on New Application Maps
Add/change the entry point
Change the layout
Add filters - see How to Use Filters
Map Duplication
Faddom allows you to easily duplicate an existing map. This feature is particularly useful when you need multiple versions of the same map presented in different ways, such as for a different team, or with specific filters applied.
To duplicate a map:
Right-click on the desired Map Name in the list.
Select "Duplicate" from the context menu.
You will then see an exact copy of the original map, including all its filters and the current layout.
Map Display
Faddom allows you to customize the data displayed for each server on your map, as well as control whether these details appear on hover. This customization is particularly beneficial for larger maps, where a concise view can improve clarity.
You can:
Select which data fields are visible directly on each server icon.
Choose to show these selected details only when you hover your mouse over a server, helping to declutter the map while keeping important information accessible.
Map Exports
Wherever you see the icon below, on the screen, you'll be able to export the displayed data.
From both the Maps and Search screens, you have various export options depending on the type of information you wish to retrieve:
Exporting to Image will provide you with the view you are looking at - Tier View or Legacy View
CSV
XLS (Excel)
Image (PNG)
Visio
VRNI (Faddom documentation notes it as a potential option, screen-dependent).
Exporting to Image
Exporting to an Image (PNG) will capture the exact view you are currently looking at, whether it's the Tier View or the Legacy Map View.
Exporting to CSV or XLS
When exporting to CSV or XLS, you have two primary choices:
Connections: This option exports all the connections displayed on the screen, including their various actions and statuses.
Servers: This option exports all the servers that are part of the map, along with their properties.
Visio Exports
If you encounter formatting issues when exporting to Visio, you can typically resolve them within Visio itself:
In Visio, go to the Design tab.
Click on Diagram Layout.
Choose any of the available layouts. Applying a layout will correctly format the map, making it easier to understand in Visio.
Map Options
At the bottom of the map, various actions can be taken,
or
- Expand or Collapse the menu
Zoom in/out
Fit on Screen - if you have zoomed in/out or moved the screen around this will recenter the screen
Area Selection - allows you to select multiple servers on the map to group/move them together
Zone mode - enter the Zones mode to create/edit zones on the map
Horizontal Layout - provides a left-to-right view of the application map. This is the default view.
Vertical Layout - provide a top-down view of the application map
Load saved layout if you have customised the layout and moved things around, this will reload the custom layout you have saved
Map Settings allows you to choose up to five fields to display per server/connection on the map
Displays the Connection Color Legend