GeekDaddy665 |
I used Visio to map the AD groups/containers/etc., and a SQL database with a web-based front-end (intranet only) to do the ‘excel sheet’ on a bigger, more customizable scale. I work for a school district, so I log things such as UNC name, ip range, vlan, basic hardware, location, etc.,
My database was made in such a way that the techs, for instance, could sort the list by RAM size, giving them an ‘at a glance’ look at the machines that need memory upgrades. Same with hard drives, etc.,
The database interfaces with another database (they both use the same tables) which not only looks at laptops, specifically, but also includes fields for listing the current ‘owner’ (the teacher/staff responsible for the laptop) so that when the laptop changes hands through official channels, we can keep tabs of where it is.
As for the servers themselves (and switches, etc.,), these are listed in a third database and list the static IPs, software, hardware, and a small changelog, among other things.
Excel, while powerful, is more difficult to work with in comparison to .asp and a sql server, imho.
twhite |
Fluke has a program called LAN MapShot that integrates w/ Visio. It does discovery and automatically chooses the correct Visio symbols for devices it recognizes. It also reports IP addresses and draws correct links as to which device(s) are attached to which router, hub, switch, etc. It’s not cheap, but definitely less than most of their hardware. Another usefull tool (and a free one) is SpiceWorks IT Desktop (www.spiceworks.com). It doesn’t do mapping, but does relay all sorts of detailed and usefull info about desktop machines, servers, printers, switches, etc. and it does it from an auto-discovery depending on the subnet you scan. You can then group the devices depending on physical location, subnet, AD OU’s, etc.
Celtic |
Hello,
For drawing the network (WITH IP addresses) I would stick with VISIO (used with the official Cisco stensils which you can freely download). As for settings and changes, I think Word/Excel are good tools… You can also use Easy-IP (from <a href="http://www.crypton.co.uk" rel="nofollow">www.crypton.co.uk</a>) for IP management if you have large-scale IP allocations.
Hope I helped…
skepticals |
Great info. Thanks for the replies. I work on small to mid-sized networks, but I wanted to get in the habbit now before I start on large-scale networks. It’s better to get my system in place now. Thanks for the help.
Meesha |
All great replies. However, sometimes you have to go back a step to understand “why” this is a necessary function and if it should be done to support other corporate objectives. In my case, we need to provide accurate info about all network - N2N, as well as which apps reside on which server and are dependent on which other server, etc. This is for the proper change management process as defined by ITIL Service Delivery and Management. Configuration Databases such as those from BMC, IBM or HP (who just bought Mercury) also have the proper “discovery” tools that fully documents the environment. Although some of these tools are more expensive they also provide better, and automated, discovery, tracking and management of your IT environment. IT Asset Management which Configuration Management is just a part of, is a very important and serious operational function that greatly assists in all forms of compliance. It will go a long way for other areas such as your Help Desk, your support technicians and your SLAs.
<a href="http://www.bmc.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.bmc.com/</a>
<a href="http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2006/060725a.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2006/060725a.html</a>
<a href="http://www-935.ibm.com/services/us/index.wss/offering/ebhs/a1000318" rel="nofollow">http://www-935.ibm.com/services/us/index.wss/offering/ebhs/a1000318</a>
Meesha |
All great replies. However, sometimes you have to go back a step to understand “why” this is a necessary function and if it should be done to support other corporate objectives. In my case, we need to provide accurate info about all network - N2N, as well as which apps reside on which server and are dependent on which other server, etc. This is for the proper change management process as defined by ITIL Service Delivery and Management. Configuration Databases such as those from BMC, IBM or HP (who just bought Mercury) also have the proper “discovery” tools that fully documents the environment. Although some of these tools are more expensive they also provide better, and automated, discovery, tracking and management of your IT environment. IT Asset Management which Configuration Management is just a part of, is a very important and serious operational function that greatly assists in all forms of compliance. It will go a long way for other areas such as your Help Desk, your support technicians and your SLAs.
<a href="http://www.bmc.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.bmc.com/</a>
<a href="http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2006/060725a.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2006/060725a.html</a>
<a href="http://www-935.ibm.com/services/us/index.wss/offering/ebhs/a1000318" rel="nofollow">http://www-935.ibm.com/services/us/index.wss/offering/ebhs/a1000318</a>
ShadowDBA |
These were excellent replies but did anyone mention the ability to create custom properties with visio for the different Master shapes. This gives you the ability to use the default properties (IP address, Computer Name, Default Gateway, etc…) for the shapes as well as the ability to create your own. This functionality will also let you create reports(which can be exported out to other formats)and allow you to create shapes based of the report information to summarize within your drawings.
jjuliannc |
Even though I use Visio and MSAccess to document my environment I have recently reviewed a product from/called SpiceWorks that may at least take the place the non-visual side of the documentation.
Auto-Discovery of various types of network devices with Alerting/Reporting and custom Asset documentation capabilities.
I recommend a review.
Aideme
SlimDude |
I run linux on all my boxes in the home office now. I use Cheops-NG to document both mine and clients networks. It does discovery with OS detection and so on and draws a really nice diagram. It’s also free.
Cheers,
Slim
lsholland |
I know much has been said on this topic but I have a few other thoughts:
I use Visio. But one diagram obvious does not suffice. To have a complete “big picture” and detailed view of your network I decided you need to have a couple of visio drawings:
1. Security topology, this is an “overview” including IP addresses, subnets, VLAN’s, and routing information.
2. Data, including where your volumes of data are, how they are being replicated and/or backed up and frequency.
3. Servers, including their locations, functions, and applications. (I like to include Memory for each server)
4. Switch topology, a general overview of how/where your switches are setup and where workstations, servers, are plugged in. This corresponds to your security topology if you have DMZ zones etc.
5. Disaster recovery topology, a topology showing how your network is setup (at a remote site for example) if your main network were to go down.
Anyway, this is obviously very general and varies from network to network. Have a good set of Visio’s with excel spread sheets outlining DNS records and public records etc., can give you a “big picture” which is essential for decision making on a large scale.
spiceworks to visio |
[…] I have recently reviewed a product from/called spiceworks that may at least take the place …http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/itanswers/network-documentationdiagram/Daily IT Matters DIM: November 2006Spiceworks 2.0. How to restore a file in a DFSroot with […]
Project management, Microsoft Windows, OS, Servers, SQL Server, Security, Desktops, Management, Networking, DataCenter, Desktop management applications, Systems management software, Tech support
I am curious as to how others are documenting their network; both visually and configurations.
0
