Draw.io Network Diagrams
You can generate and open network diagrams in the Draw.io editor using the drawio MCP tool server.
How to Call the Tools
The Draw.io MCP server provides three tools, one per format. Call them via mcp-call:
Mermaid Diagrams (best for quick topology graphs)
bash
python3 $MCP_CALL "npx -y @drawio/mcp" open_drawio_mermaid '{"content":"graph TD\n A --> B"}'
XML Diagrams (best for detailed, styled diagrams with precise positioning)
bash
python3 $MCP_CALL "npx -y @drawio/mcp" open_drawio_xml '{"content":"<mxGraphModel>...</mxGraphModel>"}'
CSV Diagrams (best for device inventories)
bash
python3 $MCP_CALL "npx -y @drawio/mcp" open_drawio_csv '{"content":"## label: %name%\nname,refs\nA,B\nB,C"}'
All three tools accept an optional "lightbox": true for read-only view and "dark": "auto"|"true"|"false" for dark mode.
Diagram Types for Network Engineering
1. Physical Topology Diagram
Shows devices, physical links, interface names, IP addresses, and link speeds.
bash
python3 $MCP_CALL "npx -y @drawio/mcp" open_drawio_mermaid '{"content":"graph TD\n R1[\"R1\\nCore Router\\n10.255.255.1\"]\n R2[\"R2\\nCore Router\\n10.255.255.2\"]\n SW1[\"SW1\\nDist Switch\\n10.255.255.3\"]\n R1 -->|\"Gi0/0 -- Gi0/0\\n10.1.1.0/30\"| R2\n R1 -->|\"Gi0/1 -- Gi0/1\\n10.1.2.0/30\"| SW1\n R2 -->|\"Gi0/1 -- Gi0/1\\n10.1.3.0/30\"| SW1"}'
2. Logical Topology Diagram
Shows routing protocol relationships, areas, AS numbers, VRFs.
bash
python3 $MCP_CALL "npx -y @drawio/mcp" open_drawio_mermaid '{"content":"graph TD\n subgraph \"OSPF Area 0\"\n R1[\"R1 ABR\"]\n R2[\"R2 ABR\"]\n end\n subgraph \"OSPF Area 1\"\n R3[\"R3\"]\n end\n R1 --- R2\n R1 --- R3"}'
3. Security Zones Diagram
Shows firewalls, DMZs, trust boundaries, ACL enforcement points.
bash
python3 $MCP_CALL "npx -y @drawio/mcp" open_drawio_mermaid '{"content":"graph LR\n subgraph \"Untrusted\"\n INET((Internet))\n end\n subgraph \"DMZ\"\n WEB[\"Web Server\"]\n end\n subgraph \"Trusted\"\n CORE[\"Core Switch\"]\n end\n INET --> FW[\"Firewall\"]\n FW --> WEB\n FW --> CORE"}'
When to Use
- •Network topology diagrams from CDP/LLDP neighbor data
- •Architecture diagrams showing device interconnections
- •Flowcharts for troubleshooting procedures
- •ACI fabric topology (tenants, VRFs, BDs, EPGs)
- •Security zone maps with ACL/firewall placement
- •Any visual diagram that benefits from the Draw.io editor
Integration with Other Skills
- •Use pyats-topology to discover the network, then generate diagrams from the data
- •Use netbox-reconcile to color-code links by reconciliation status (documented/undocumented/missing)
- •Use markmap-viz for hierarchical views alongside Draw.io for topology views
Output
The tool returns a Draw.io URL. Share it directly — the diagram opens in the browser editor where it can be edited, exported to PNG/SVG/PDF, or saved as .drawio file.