CML 2.6 introduces revamped Workbench

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CML 2.6 introduces revamped Workbench


Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) 2.6, the most recent model of our premier community virtualization platform, is lastly right here. CML 2.6 provides fairly a listing of helpful instruments, with additions like Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud deployment and a brand new Maintenance mode for system admins.

However, I’m right here to focus on the characteristic I’m most enthusiastic about:

CML 2.6 contains a revamped Workbench that enables customers to see a number of gadgets, instruments, and configs in the identical view.

New options inside revamped Workbench embrace:

    • a menu so as to add nodes to your office.
    • a sidebar hub to modify lab components.
    • multi-select and right-click motion menus.
    • keyboard shortcuts.
    • lab actions.
    • a panes panel for a extra versatile workspace.

Continue studying for an in-depth look contained in the Workbench revamp obtainable in Cisco Modeling Labs’ newest characteristic launch.

Inside the CML 2.6 Workbench revamp

CML 2.6 revamped Workbench overview
CML 2.6’s revamped Workbench contains UI enhancements that enable its customers to comprise a number of gadgets, instruments, and configs in a single, built-in view. (Pictured: [1] Toolbar [2] Sidebar [3] Panes panel exhibiting two open panes.)

Adding nodes with—or with out—a mouse 

Incorporating new nodes into your workspace continues to be a simple course of, whereby you’ll be able to drag and drop your chosen sort of node onto the canvas. But previous to CML 2.6, the interactive drag menu was on the right-side menu. Now, it’s activated by deciding on the Add Nodes icon within the Workbench toolbar. 

CML 2.6 Workbench interactive drag menu shows how to add nodes to Cisco Modeling Labs workspace
Select the “Add Nodes” icon (1) within the Workbench toolbar to activate the interactive drag menu.

In addition to this conventional methodology of including nodes, we’ve launched a brand-new characteristic referred to as Bulk Add. It is designed with accessibility in thoughts, so you’ll be able to add as many nodes as you want—utilizing solely your keyboard, eliminating the necessity for a mouse.  

CML 2.6 Workbench interactive menu with option to add nodes in bulk
Now you’ll be able to add nodes in bulk, mouse-free. Available in CML 2.6’s revamped Workbench.

Editing components within the Sidebar 

We have redesigned the consumer interface to supply a extra streamlined and unified expertise for customers as they edit components inside a lab. Now, in CML 2.6, the Sidebar serves as the only, consolidated hub for altering all of your lab components. Whether you need to edit a node, hyperlink, or annotation, merely choose it, and the Sidebar will show the related modifying choices. 

CML 2.6 Workbench revamp introduces a Sidebar menu
Select a component inside your lab to immediately activate the Sidebar, a single, consolidated hub that provides a handy menu of related modifying choices. (Pictured: [1] Node has been chosen; [2] Sidebar seems with tabs categorized by property: SETTINGS, CONNECTIVITY, CONFIG, INTERFACES.) 

This streamlined technique to handle your lab components eliminates the necessity for the underside panel to shift in response to the Workbench state. In flip, you profit from a extra centered expertise. With this setup, you’ll be able to preserve your consideration on the underside pane whereas concurrently modifying the properties of a lab aspect utilizing the Sidebar. 

Using the Multi-select Action menu 

You can activate the Multi-Select motion menu by deciding on a number of components and right-clicking anyplace on the canvas. This motion opens a Context-sensitive menu with a definite part for every aspect sort. 

CML 2.6 Workbench shows multi-action menu
Select a number of components and right-click anyplace on the canvas to activate the multi-action menu within the CML Workbench.

Within every part, you’ll be able to carry out actions on the corresponding aspect sort. Please be aware: the system presently does not confirm the validity of an motion. Also, when you choose a number of nodes, an Alignment part turns into obtainable within the menu, offering choices to align the chosen nodes. 

Using the Right-click Context menu 

The Right-Click Context menu shows once you right-click a sort of aspect: annotation, node, or hyperlink. This menu presents a listing of actions particularly tailor-made to the chosen aspect sort. 

An example of the Right-click Context menu for a link in CML 2.6 Workbench
Pictured above is an instance of the Right-click Context menu for a hyperlink.

Note: the Right-click Context menu sometimes offers extra actions for every aspect sort in comparison with the Multi-select Action menu.

Keyboard shortcuts 

CML 2.6 keyboard shortcuts

Lab Actions menu 

You can discover the Lab Actions menu within the toolbar below the “LAB” part. You can even activate this menu by right-clicking the canvas whereas no components are chosen. 

Lab Actions menu available in CML 2.6 Workbench

Panes panel 

The Panes panel is a flexible instrument designed to provide you a versatile workspace. For one, the Panes panel permits you to open a number of tabs, every internet hosting a Console, VNC, or PCAP session. You can even select the way you need to host tabs: in just one pane or throughout a number of. For occasion, you’ll be able to have one pane containing an open console session whereas one other runs a packet seize.

What to bear in mind when utilizing the Panes panel:

  • One single pane is about by default, however you’ll be able to add others by deciding on the “+” icon.
  • If you could have a couple of pane, you will notice one pane highlighted with a blue sq., which signifies will probably be the goal for any new periods you open. (You can change this by clicking in a special pane, which units it as the brand new goal.) 

To open a tab, merely right-click a operating hyperlink or node, and open the corresponding session for VNC, Console, or PCAP. As an added comfort, you even have the choice to pick a number of nodes and concurrently launch a number of periods, streamlining your workflow. 

Once you could have a tab open, you’ll be able to simply reposition it by dragging it from one pane to a different. This drag-and-drop performance offers a simple technique to set up your workspace in response to your desire or want. 

The panes and their respective tabs are designed to retain their state on a per-browser and per-lab foundation. This means your association of panes and tabs, in addition to the content material inside them, will stay as you set them (even in case you navigate away or shut your browser), offering a persistent working setting. 

Each pane tab is provided with a context menu, which you’ll be able to entry by right-clicking the tab. This context menu comprises choices and actions that pertain particularly to the kind of tab, providing you with a set of related controls proper at your fingertips. 

CML 2.6 Workbench Panes panels
If you could have a couple of pane, you will notice one pane highlighted with a blue sq. (pictured above). This blue sq. signifies the goal for any new periods you open. You can change this by clicking in a special pane, which units it as the brand new goal.

To make your workspace much more customizable, you’ll be able to rename tabs to mirror their content material or objective. You can both double-click on the tab, which can permit you to edit the title instantly, or right-click on the tab and select the Rename possibility from the context menu. 

The Carrot Down icon related to every pane (see under) serves as a gateway to a menu. This menu shows a searchable record of all presently open periods, making it straightforward so that you can navigate on to the session you want. 

CML 2.6 Workbench revamp pane menu of all currently open sessions.
Using the Carrot Down menu possibility (1), you’ll be able to shortly view all open periods at a look.

To make it easier to monitor the connection between your tabs and their related components, you’ll be able to choose a tab to view its corresponding node (or hyperlink) on the canvas. This means you’ll be able to immediately see which components of your lab you might be presently interacting with through your session. 

If you want extra canvas area quickly, you’ll be able to conceal and present the Panes panel by clicking the “PANES” toolbar possibility.  

Until subsequent time…

I hope this text has sparked your curiosity in CML v2.6, the most recent model of Cisco Modeling Labs. For extra data on what’s new in Cisco Modeling Labs 2.6, view the launch notes. You can even watch this current demo for a guided walkthrough of the brand new CML 2.6 updates.

I’m keen to listen to about your experiences as you give the brand new Workbench a spin. Please be at liberty to share your suggestions within the feedback part under. Until subsequent time, joyful labbing… and luxuriate in exploring all that this replace has to supply! 

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Read subsequent: “Get Started with Terraform and Cisco Modeling Labs” by Ralph Schmieder. Read now.

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