Missing aggregation relation between Communication Network and Node

[davidsara]

Version of Archi

5.0 beta2

Archi Plug-ins

Operating System

Windows 11

Expected Behaviour

It is possible to aggregate Nodes under Communication network as mentioned in Archimate 3.2 specification:

It (communication network) can aggregate devices and system software to model the routers, switches, and firewalls that are part of the network infrastructure.

Actual Behaviour

Aggregation relationship is not offered when using Magic Connector and is rejected when using Aggregation relationship directly.

Steps to Reproduce the Behaviour

1. Create a new file
2. Place Communication Network and Node elements to the Default View
3. Try to set aggregation relationship between Communication Network and Node

When you will be updating Archimate Relationships under Help menu, you can also update the description to Archimate 3.2.

Regards, David

[davidsara]

But maybe as in Archimate 3.2 device is no longer specialization of node you are correct and this is not bug 😄

[Phillipus]

@jbsarrodie Will be able to explain this.

you can also update the description to Archimate 3.2.

Good catch, I'll do that. Thanks!

[jbsarrodie]

But maybe as in Archimate 3.2 device is no longer specialization of node you are correct and this is not bug 😄

Exactly, this aggregation has been removed from the specification (see appendix B for detailed list of allowed relationships).

In fact, what most people haven't noticed since ArchiMate 3.0 is that Node is a highly abstract active structure which can be "IT" or "physical", so a Communication Network which is "IT" by nature cannot aggregate something which could be "physical". OTOH, Distribution Network can aggregate both as Facility can aggregate Node, and Equipment can aggregate Device and System Software.

[davidsara]

Thank you very much for the great explanation!