Network Sketcher (Local MCP)

Network Sketcher is an AI-native network design and diagramming tool. It generates L1/L2/L3 topology diagrams, device tables, and AI-ready context files from structured network data and natural-language workflows.

For MCP users, Network Sketcher Local MCP lets LLM clients such as Cursor and Claude Code design Cisco-style networks directly through Model Context Protocol tool calls. It runs locally over stdio, keeps master files on your machine, and produces SVG / PowerPoint diagrams plus HTML device tables.

MCP listings: Glama · LobeHub · Remote OpenClaw · MCP Registry · MCP Market

If Network Sketcher helps your workflow, please consider starring the repository.

Common use cases:

- Build a 5-site WAN or campus LAN design from an AI conversation
- Generate L1 physical, L2 VLAN/broadcast-domain, and L3 IP topology diagrams
- Export a combined L1/L2/L3 HTML viewer and an interactive device table
- Create an AI Context file so another LLM can review or extend the network design
- Import from live inventory: Use Network Sketcher Cisco Extension converters to turn ACI, Catalyst Center, Meraki, Nexus Dashboard, CML, Cyber Vision, SNA, or NetBox exports into CLI commands for any Network Sketcher edition

Quick Start: Local MCP in 3 Steps

The quickest way to try Network Sketcher with an AI agent is the Local MCP edition.

1. Install

git clone https://github.com/cisco-open/network-sketcher/
cd network-sketcher/network-sketcher_local_mcp
python -m pip install -r requirements_mcp.txt

2. Add it to your MCP client

For Cursor, add this to your MCP configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "network-sketcher": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": [
        "/path/to/network-sketcher/network-sketcher_local_mcp/ns_mcp_server.py"
      ]
    }
  }
}

For Claude Code:

claude mcp add network-sketcher -- python "/path/to/network-sketcher/network-sketcher_local_mcp/ns_mcp_server.py"

Replace /path/to/network-sketcher/ with your local clone path.

3. Ask your agent to build a network

Example prompt:

Using Network Sketcher Local MCP, create a small 5-site WAN design with HQ, two data centers, two branches, Internet and WAN waypoints, edge routers, simple L2 segments, and representative IP addressing. Then build the default L1/L2/L3 diagrams and device table.

The generated files will be saved in your Network Sketcher workspace.

Network Sketcher provides three editions:

- Network Sketcher Local MCP — AI-native MCP server for LLM clients (Cursor, Claude Code, etc.). The most direct AI integration: the LLM calls Network Sketcher tools without a browser or copy-paste.
- Network Sketcher Online — Browser-based web service.
- Network Sketcher Offline — Desktop GUI + CLI. Runs independently with the network-sketcher_offline/ folder alone.

You can use any combination.

| | Local MCP (AI-native) | Online (Web Service) | Offline (GUI + CLI) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Interface | LLM client (Cursor, Claude Code, etc.) | Web browser | Desktop GUI / Command-line |
| Key dependencies | Python + MCP SDK | Python + Flask | Python + tkinter |
| Multi-user | Single user | Multiple users via browser | Single user |
| Client requires | Python + MCP client | Web browser only | Python runtime environment |
| AI-native design | Yes (most direct) | Yes | No |
| Master format | .nsm only | .xlsx / .nsm both | .xlsx only |
| Internal data storage | No | No | No |
| External communication | stdio to LLM client (local) | HTTPS%5BEN%5D#external-communication) | No |
| Tested platforms | Windows (Mac OS, Linux compatible by design) | Windows (Mac OS, Linux untested) | Windows, Mac OS, Linux |
| Folder | network-sketcher_local_mcp/ | network-sketcher_online/ | network-sketcher_offline/ |

network-sketcher/
├── network-sketcher_local_mcp/  # Local MCP edition — MCP server for LLM clients (AI-native)
├── network-sketcher_online/     # Online edition — Web service (browser-based)
├── network-sketcher_offline/    # Offline edition — GUI + CLI (standalone desktop app)
├── README.md
├── LICENSE
└── ...

Extensions: Cisco & Third-Party Converters

The Network Sketcher Cisco Extension repository (Cisco DevNet) is a separate monorepo of converters that turn platform exports or read-only API snapshots into Network Sketcher CLI command scripts (ns_commands.txt). The output works with all three editions — Local MCP, Online, and Offline (GUI / CLI).

Converters: ACI · Catalyst Center · CML · Cyber Vision · Meraki · Nexus Dashboard (NDFC) · Secure Network Analytics · NetBox · template_converter (Catalyst SD-WAN: planning)

Learn more: Typical workflow · Tools overview · Third-party converters · Build your own converter

With Local MCP, an AI agent can run a converter, feed ns_commands.txt through run_commands, and finalize with build_default_outputs in one session.

> Converter output is a starting draft — see the Cisco Extension README for data-quality caveats and validation guidance.

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