Are there DITA structures for documenting telecom network diagrams and topologies?

November 10, 2023
|By Bryan Tipper

When it comes to documenting complex telecom network diagrams and topologies, DITA provides a structured approach that facilitates the creation and management of this intricate visual content. While DITA itself is primarily designed for structured text-based documentation, it can be combined with other technologies to handle network diagrams effectively.

SVG Integration

One common approach is to integrate Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) within DITA content. SVG is a widely supported XML-based format for describing two-dimensional vector graphics. You can embed SVG elements directly into DITA topics, allowing you to create and display detailed network diagrams and topologies. By using SVG, you can achieve high-quality visuals that can be zoomed in or out without loss of quality, which is crucial for network documentation.

Example:

Here’s a simplified example of how DITA can incorporate an SVG network diagram:


<topic id="network_topology">
  <title>Network Topology</title>
  <version>1.0</version>
  <last-updated>2023-11-15</last-updated>
  <author>Telecom Network Team</author>
  <content>
    <section id="diagram">
      <title>Network Diagram</title>
      <body>
        <svg  width="500" height="300">
          <circle cx="50" cy="50" r="30" fill="blue" />
          <circle cx="150" cy="50" r="30" fill="red" />
          <circle cx="100" cy="150" r="30" fill="green" />
          <line x1="50" y1="50" x2="150" y2="50" stroke="black" />
          <line x1="150" y1="50" x2="100" y2="150" stroke="black" />
          <line x1="100" y1="150" x2="50" y2="50" stroke="black" />
        </svg>
      </body>
    </section>
  </content>

In this DITA topic, an SVG network diagram is embedded within the “Network Diagram” section. This allows for the inclusion of complex visual representations of telecom network topologies alongside structured textual content.