Skip to main content

Graph Builder for Visualization

Introduction​

Welcome to the Graph Builder tutorial! The Graph Builder is a powerful tool within R!AN that allows you to create interactive visualizations of your data fabric. By representing your data fabric graphically, you can:

  • Run Graph Queries: Explore your data using graph database query languages like Cypher.
  • Train Graph Neural Networks (GNNs): Use graph data to train advanced machine learning models.
  • Gain Deeper Insights: Uncover hidden patterns and relationships within your data.

This tutorial will guide you through the steps to effectively use the Graph Builder and visualize your data in Neo4j.

Prerequisites​

Before you begin, ensure that you have:

  • Completed the initial setup of R!AN.
  • Added at least one data source.
  • Created a data fabric using the steps outlined in the Getting Started Guide.
  • Access to a Neo4j instance (local or remote) where the graph will be visualized.

Accessing the Graph Builder​

Follow these steps to access the Graph Builder within R!AN:

  1. Navigate to Insights:

    • Click on Insights in the left-hand menu.

      Navigate to Insights

  2. Select Graph Builder:

    • From the list of available insights, selectGraph Builder.

      Select Graph Builder

Building Your First Graph​

Step 1: Select Data Fabric​

  • Enter the Data Fabric ID:

    • In the Data Fabric ID field, enter the ID of the data fabric you wish to visualize.

    • You can retrieve the Data Fabric ID from the Data Fabric section.

      Select Data Fabric

Step 2: Configure Neo4j Connection Parameters​

To export your data fabric to a Neo4j graph database, provide the connection details of your Neo4j instance.

  • Enter Neo4j Connection Details:

    • Username: Enter your Neo4j username (default is usually neo4j).

    • Password: Enter your Neo4j password.

    • Database Name: Specify the Neo4j database name where you want to import the graph (default is neo4j).

    • Instance URL: Provide the Bolt protocol URL of your Neo4j instance (e.g., bolt://localhost:7687).

      Configure Parameters

    Note: Ensure that your Neo4j instance is running and accessible from your machine.

Step 3: Generate Graph​

  • Submit the Configuration:

    • Click on the Submit button to start exporting your data fabric to Neo4j.
    • R!AN will process your data fabric and load it into the specified Neo4j database.

  • Monitor Progress:

    • A confirmation message will appear showing the status of the export.

    Confirmation Message

Visualizing Your Graph in Neo4j​

After exporting, you can navigate to your Neo4j instance to visualize and interact with the graph.

  1. Open Neo4j Browser:

    • Launch the Neo4j Browser application.

  2. Log In to Neo4j:

    • Enter your Neo4j Username and Password as provided earlier.

  3. Explore the Graph:

    • Use Neo4j's query language, Cypher, to interact with your graph.

    • For a quick visualization, run the following query in the command line at the top:

      MATCH (n)-[r]->(m) RETURN n, r, m LIMIT 25

    • This query retrieves nodes and relationships from your graph and displays them visually.

      Neo4j Graph Visualization

  4. Interact with the Graph:

    • Zoom and Pan: Navigate through different areas of the graph.
    • Node Details: Click on nodes to view their properties and relationships.
    • Search: Use the search functionality to find specific nodes or patterns.

Conclusion​

By leveraging the Graph Builder, you can transform complex data fabrics into intuitive visualizations within Neo4j. This enables you to:

  • Identify Key Entities and Relationships: Quickly spot important nodes and how they are connected.
  • Uncover Hidden Patterns: Discover relationships and trends not immediately apparent in raw data.
  • Perform Advanced Analytics: Utilize graph algorithms and query capabilities.
  • Train GNN Modules: Use your graph data to train Graph Neural Networks for predictive modeling and insights.