Generate C4 Diagram Sets from BizTalk Applications
When you select one or more real BizTalk applications, Nodinite can turn that scope into a C4 Diagram Set. The wizard starts from the Diagram Sets menu, walks through environment, options, application selection, grounding, and diagram type selection, and then finishes with a confirmation step.
Important
The last step is mandatory. You must either select an existing set or create a new one before the wizard can finish. If a set name already exists, Nodinite warns you and asks whether to update the existing set or create a new version.
Understanding the generation flow
Diagram: The BizTalk generation wizard moves from the Diagram Sets entry point through environment, options, application scope, grounding, diagram types, and confirmation before it creates the set.
Entry point
Use the Diagram Sets menu to start the BizTalk generation wizard.
Example of the Diagram Sets menu with the From BizTalk Application command highlighted as the entry point for the wizard.
Important
This action requires Create permission in the C4 Diagram Set permission set. See Role-Based Access for C4 Diagram Sets for the full rights model.
Step 1: Choose the BizTalk environment
The first screen identifies the active BizTalk environment to use as the source for generation.
Example of the environment step where the active BizTalk environment is selected before the wizard continues.
Choose the environment that contains the BizTalk applications you want to model.
Step 2: Review generation options
The options step controls how much repository wiring the wizard creates and whether it should add monitoring support.
Example of the generation options step where Nodinite can reuse repository artifacts and add monitoring support.
When you enable repository artifact reuse, Nodinite can create or reuse the supporting Repository items that the generated diagrams depend on. When you enable monitoring, it can associate matching monitoring resources with the generated services.
Step 3: Select BizTalk applications
Select one or many real BizTalk applications to define the generation scope.
Example of the BizTalk applications step where one selected application can define a single-application snapshot.
The snapshot preview shows the selected scope and the target set name. That preview helps you confirm whether the wizard will generate a new set or extend the intended scope.
Step 4: Apply grounding
Grounding links the generated set to a Nodinite Application or a System when you want the set to carry Repository context.
Example of the grounding step where you can scope the generated set to a Nodinite Application or System.
Use no grounding when you only need the BizTalk selection to drive generation. Use application grounding when the set should belong to a specific Nodinite Application. Use system grounding when the set should align with a larger System boundary.
Step 5: Choose diagram types
The default BizTalk snapshot generates Context, Container, and Component diagrams. Dynamic is added only when runtime activity exists in the selected DTA evidence window.
Example of the diagram selection step where Context, Container, Component, and Dynamic availability are shown.
If you enable Dynamic, the wizard uses the DTA evidence window and runtime evidence to decide whether it can include a Dynamic diagram without extra manual work.
Example of BizTalk-related Services after repository artifact reuse or monitoring wiring has been applied to the generated set.
Step 6: Confirm the generation
The confirmation step summarizes the environment, application scope, grounding, repository artifacts, monitoring choice, and diagram types before Nodinite creates the set.
Example of the confirmation step where the final generation settings are reviewed before creation.
Important
In the last step, you must either select an existing set or create a new one. That choice is required before the wizard can finish.
When a set already exists
If a set with the same name already exists, Nodinite stops and shows a warning so you can choose the correct path.
Example of the name conflict warning that appears when the target Diagram Set already exists.
Choose Update Existing when the set should be refreshed in place. Choose Create New Version when you want a separate versioned set instead of overwriting the current one.
Result
After the wizard completes, Nodinite shows a success message and opens the generated set.
Example of the success state after Nodinite creates the BizTalk-generated Diagram Set.
The resulting set can include the Context and Container diagrams shown below, along with Component and Dynamic views when the wizard rules allow them.
The generated views tell the story in layers. Start with the Context diagram to see the BizTalk application in its broader Repository setting, move to the Container diagram to inspect the generated runtime blocks, and then use the Component diagram to drill into the application artifacts inside the selected scope.
Example of the generated Context diagram showing the BizTalk application in its system context before you drill down into the generated structure.
The next step narrows the same generated set from the outer context into the application boundary.
Example of the generated Container diagram showing the BizTalk application boundary and the generated runtime blocks that sit inside it.
The final generated layer exposes the detailed BizTalk artifacts inside the application.
Example of the generated Component diagram showing the BizTalk application artifacts grouped by receive, process, transform, and deliver layers inside the selected application scope.
Next Step
- Add or manage C4 Diagram Set
- What is a C4 Diagram Set?
- Generate from Integration Landscape
- BizTalk Example Set
- C4 Diagrams Overview