Projects, Exporting & iCloud - NetCalc Pro Docs

Lab Project Management

In NetCalc Pro, network topology planning is not limited to isolated scratchpad calculations. Entire multi-device labs can be saved, structured, and maintained in persistent Projects.

Each project organizes a complete set of network equipment (CiscoDevice):

Routers and Switches: with physical interfaces (GigabitEthernet, FastEthernet, Serial) and logical ports (802.1Q sub-interfaces and VLAN SVIs).
Routing Engines: static route entries and dynamic routing protocols (OSPF, RIPv2, EIGRP).
Services & Security: dedicated LAN DHCP pools, NAT/PAT address translation rules, Access Control Lists, and system hardening parameters.
Lab Notes: freeform text documentation to record assignment requirements, topology constraints, or exam criteria.

Local-First Architecture & Full Undo/Redo

NetCalc Pro implements a strictly Local-First persistence model built on SwiftData:

1. Dedicated Local SQLite Store

All project records reside in an application-specific directory (~/Library/Application Support/NetCalc Pro/NetCalc.store). The app requires zero network connectivity to launch, query, or edit projects, ensuring instant responsiveness in classrooms or offline test labs.

2. Multi-Level Undo and Redo (`UndoManager`)

All destructive or structural changes (creating or deleting projects, adding devices, modifying interfaces, or removing static routes) register with an UndoManager bound directly to the SwiftData ModelContext.

On macOS: use standard system shortcuts ⌘ Z (Undo) and ⇧ ⌘ Z (Redo), or the Edit menu.
On iPad/iPhone: standard three-finger gestures and navigation bar undo buttons provide full history traversal.

Comprehensive Export Options

NetCalc Pro offers three export workflows designed for documentation, evaluation, and physical deployment:

1. Vector PDF Reports (CoreGraphics & CoreText)

PDF export (ProjectPDFExporter) is rendered directly using Apple’s low-level graphics frameworks (CoreGraphics and CoreText), avoiding WebKit/HTML overhead or third-party dependencies:

Flawless Typography: standardized US Letter pagination, clean headings, and monospaced data grids.
Detailed Summary: prints hostname, device type, configured interfaces, IP addresses, subnet masks, calculated network IDs, and broadcast addresses for each apparatus.
VLSM Plan PDFs: subnet allocation tables can also be exported to matching vector PDFs.

2. CSV Spreadsheets for Network Inventories

Generates RFC 4180-compliant spreadsheets suitable for import into Excel, Apple Numbers, or Google Sheets:

IP,MASK,GATEWAY,DEVICE,INTERFACE
192.168.1.1,255.255.255.0,192.168.1.1,R1,GigabitEthernet0/0/0
192.168.2.1,255.255.255.0,192.168.2.1,R1,GigabitEthernet0/0/1

Includes automatic quote escaping for interface descriptions containing commas or special characters.

3. Plain Text (TXT) Cisco IOS Master Scripts

Generates a consolidated text file containing all CLI configuration blocks for every device in the project, alphabetically sorted by hostname and partitioned with formatted comment banners:

! ============================================================
! Project: CCNA Module 3 Capstone Lab
! Exported on Oct 18, 2026, 6:45 PM
! ============================================================

! --- Router R1 ---
hostname R1
...

Can be saved to disk or dispatched immediately via system share sheets (AirDrop, Mail, Messages).

Private iCloud Synchronization (CloudKit)

Your projects synchronize seamlessly across Mac, iPad, and iPhone signed in with the same Apple ID, without requiring user accounts or third-party servers.

1. Private User Database

Sync is managed by NSPersistentCloudKitContainer inside the private container iCloud.com.dimpemekug.netcalc.

Data travels exclusively through Apple’s end-to-end encrypted CloudKit infrastructure.
The developer has zero access to user projects or network topologies.

2. Preferences Synchronization

Application settings (interface language, light/dark mode, accent palette, terminal theme, and Beginner/Expert mode) synchronize automatically via NSUbiquitousKeyValueStore (PreferencesCloudSync). Settings sync can be disabled independently if you prefer different visual themes on Mac and mobile.

3. Real-Time Diagnostics (`CloudSyncMonitor`)

Under Settings → Sync, NetCalc Pro provides real-time CloudKit telemetry:

Account Status: checks whether iCloud is available, restricted, or temporarily offline.
Server Record Inventory: queries CloudKit directly to confirm the exact count of project records (CD_Project) and device records (CD_ProjectDevice) safely stored in the cloud.
Transient Error Handling: differentiates temporary network dropouts from permanent conflicts, ensuring local offline changes are safely queued until reconnection.