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feat: external connection handling #267

@ggfevans

Description

@ggfevans

Parent Epic

Part of #71 (Network Interface Visualization and Connectivity)

Summary

Handle cables that connect to things outside the rack layout (uplinks, wall jacks, ISP handoffs).

Problem Statement

Some cables go to:

  • Core switch not in this rack
  • Wall jack / patch to another room
  • ISP demarcation point
  • External equipment (not modeled)

Options

  1. External pseudo-device - Add a special "External" device type
  2. Labeled endpoint - Cable B-side is just a label, no device
  3. Placeholder device - Generic "External Connection" device
  4. Data only - Track but don't visualize

Recommended: Labeled Endpoint

interface Cable {
  // A-side (device in rack)
  a_device_id: string;
  a_interface: string;
  
  // B-side (device OR external label)
  b_device_id?: string;      // Optional for external
  b_interface?: string;      // Optional for external
  b_external_label?: string; // "Core Switch", "Wall Jack A1"
}

Acceptance Criteria

  • Cable can have external endpoint (no device)
  • External endpoint has label
  • Visualize external cables (arrow pointing off-rack?)
  • Edit external label
  • Convert external to internal (when device added to rack)

UI Design

Port details when connected to external:

Connection:
○ External: "Core Switch / uplink1"
[Edit] [Disconnect]

Dependencies

References

  • NetBox handles this via sites/locations

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