Network Diagram Symbols and Icons

3 min

Gaining a basic understanding of network diagram symbols is the first step to building and reading complex network diagrams. This guide will walk you through the most basic network diagram shapes, including those in standard Cisco, Azure, Google Cloud, and AWS network diagrams.

Common network diagram symbols and icons

Network diagrams are useful for mapping the connections in a computer or telecommunications network. Network diagrams can show everything from high-level networks, such as connectivity across cities, to more granular networks, such as an office building's network. Since there are hundreds of possible network diagram symbols, this guide will depict only the most common symbols and icons. Try out Lucidchart to see all our network diagram symbols and icons!

Network diagram shapes in Lucidchart

Although there are several ways to build network diagrams, Cisco and Amazon Web Services (AWS) are the most popular. Lucidchart offers extensive shape libraries packed with symbols to model your networks. In addition to AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and Cisco shapes, Lucidchart provides a shape library for the more generic network diagram symbols and icons.

With Lucidchart, accessing the symbols you see below is incredibly easy — simply open a new Lucidchart document and press the “+ Shapes” button on the left of your screen and enable all the relevant shape libraries. If there are network diagram symbols that you can’t find in Lucidchart, feel free to import SVGs and other image files to create your very own network diagram symbols. Try it out with one of our network diagram templates today!

Switches and bridges

For network diagrams, switch symbols represent multiple Ethernet ports that enable the connection of multiple devices. Switch symbols are also useful for representing the transfer of data over telecommunication networks.

Bridge symbols connect two Ethernet networks into one larger, extended Ethernet network. Bridge symbols are especially important when diagramming networks that are separated by geography. Since bridge shapes predate switch shapes, they are hardly seen unless they refer to wireless bridges.

Network diagram symbols for switches and bridges

Routers

As perhaps the most popular network diagram symbols, router symbols manage traffic between devices or networks. Routers have the added functionality of facilitating a wireless access point or broadband modem, making them more useful than switches in many cases.

Databases

Databases are useful for organizing extensive collections of data, and can be symbolized in AWS and Cisco standard networks with the following shapes. Assess your network and determine which database will be the most useful. Database shapes can be chosen depending on your needs, including operational, specific, external, or hypermedia database shapes. You can also choose your database shape depending on other factors, such as the kind of machine that supports the database (e.g., server cluster) or the query languages used to access it (e.g., SQL).

Connectors and devices

To show the path that data travels within your network diagram, use connector shapes. The connection symbol that you use depends on the type of traffic that is being routed. Feel free to use a variety of devices such as PCs and telephones to model the medium of communication of your network. Many more network diagram shapes can be found in Lucidchart’s network diagram shape libraries.

Everything you need to make a diagram

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Mapping out your network and all the elements it interacts with can be done using a quality network diagram software like Lucidchart. Here's an in-depth look at network diagrams and network topology, including definitions, tutorials, uses, symbols, and more.

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Network diagram software

Lucidchart’s free network diagram software lets you design, build, and troubleshoot your network to better understand its functionality.

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Network diagram templates

See our selection of prebuilt templates to get you going on your network diagrams more quickly.

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How to create a network diagram in Excel

Get step-by-step instructions for building a network diagram in Microsoft Excel, using an integration with Lucidchart.

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Frequently asked questions about network diagrams

What are network diagram symbols?

Network diagram symbols are shapes and icons used to represent different components in a computer or telecommunications network, such as routers, switches, databases, and devices like PCs and telephones.

What network diagram symbol libraries does Lucidchart offer?

Lucidchart provides shape libraries for AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Cisco, and generic network diagram symbols and icons.

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What do router symbols represent in network diagrams?

Router symbols represent devices that manage traffic between devices or networks and can facilitate wireless access points or broadband modems.

How are switches different from bridges in network diagrams?

Switch symbols represent multiple Ethernet ports that enable connection of multiple devices, while bridge symbols connect two Ethernet networks into one larger extended network, especially useful for geographically separated networks.

What do connector shapes show in network diagrams?

Connector shapes show the path that data travels within your network, with different connection symbols used depending on the type of traffic being routed.

Can I add custom symbols to Lucidchart network diagrams?

Yes, you can import SVGs and other image files to create your own network diagram symbols if you can't find what you need in Lucidchart's libraries.

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How do I access network diagram symbols in Lucidchart?

Open a new Lucidchart document, press the "+ Shapes" button on the left of your screen, and enable all the relevant shape libraries.

Learn more

What types of database symbols are available for network diagrams?

Database shapes can be chosen based on your needs, including operational, specific, external, or hypermedia databases, as well as by supporting machine type or query language.

Everything you need to make a diagram

In addition to our online diagram maker, Lucidchart offers support and training resources to help you branch out to any type of diagram.

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Contents

Network Diagram Symbols and Icons

Common network diagram symbols and icons

Network diagram shapes in Lucidchart

Switches and bridges

Routers

Databases

Connectors and devices

Everything you need to make a diagram

Network diagram templates

Network diagram example

Cisco network diagram

AoA Network Diagram Example

Helpful Resources

What is a Network Diagram?

Network diagram software

Network diagram templates

How to create a network diagram in Excel

Frequently asked questions about network diagrams

Everything you need to make a diagram

Common network diagram symbols and icons

Network diagram shapes in Lucidchart

Switches and bridges

Routers

Databases

Connectors and devices

Everything you need to make a diagram