Network infrastructure maps
Do you or your team maintain updated network infrastructure maps? How often do you access them and for what purposes?
Software/Hardware used:
Software/Hardware used:
ASKED:
August 27, 2009 5:34 PM
UPDATED:
August 30, 2009 3:41 AM
Answer Wiki:
I maintain WAN diagrams and try to update them when any changes occur or review quarterly. The diagrams are posted on an internal IT team resource web page for locations to use as needed for troubleshooting or discussion on network services. The diagrams are also used for audits. I keep a large format print of the diagram on the wall in my office and refer to it regularly when troubleshooting.
At my company we keep a map, and update it regularly, or at the very least a quarterly review.
The maps help us in troubleshooting, but also provide the business customers a good view of how it all ties together, so that asking them for additional $$$ is much easier :)
To see all answers submitted to the Answer Wiki: View Answer History.
I go with Labnuke99, update the diagrams whenever you make a change, otherwise they get too far away from reality, way too quickly.
I also use them to explain to other people how the network works, and what resources are available. I use these daily to refer to the IP addressing and contact information for the local staff who can physically check if something is wrong, as the network is global.
This is something I ask for when performing internal security assessments. It used to be that no one was responsible and therefore the diagrams weren’t up to date or were non-existent. But now it seems that most shops have them. Maybe Microsoft’s acquisition of Visio has helped bring some visibility to the app which in turn has motivated network managers to keep track of what’s where. Or maybe it’s compliance or the auditors…something has changed.