Network Documentation - What to include ?

[jamin100]

Looking to update all our network documentation and i'm just wondering what to include in it?

Pointers appreciated!

[kmount]

What would you want to know if you entered into another school?

We've got things from IP Lists, Passwords, Cab locations, switch configurations, cable paths, contact numbers for suppliers tagged with installs, physical inventory of everything on the network, partition details for the servers themselves (supplementary to the DRP), license information (held seperately, just referenced).

There's always plenty more but the best question is to ask what I said above, what would you want to know about a foreign network?

[SYNACK]

What do you have:

• Cableing - length, type, endpoints
• Switches - models, ports, capibilities, purchase dates
• Computers, servers, routers, printers - like switches
• Software - liscences, purchase date, cost
• External contracts - Internet provider, contact details etc or printer lease etc

How is it arranged:

• Physical layout of where the important stuff is, where are the cabinets, servers, cable runs, computers, printers
• Network diagram

How is it configured:

• IP adressing
• VLANs
• individaul configs for switches, routers, APs
• Documents on what is on each server and how it is configured - settings etc (screenshots of config dialogues even)
• Software configurations- deployed software

User roles:

• What types of users are there
• What does each type of user have access to ie printers, drives, software networks

[Sylv3r]

I don't have all of this information - I've just been saving different ideas I've found for a rainy day. Some of this may have been originally from edugeek:

Documentation

IP addresses
cabling map
server explanations
Disaster Recovery Policy
switch settings,
fibre runs
list of passwords
PC serial numbers
Port list by Room
Active Directory OU Locations
DHCP Configuration
Static IP's
Exluded Ranges


Network Configuration:
-ip config (address space, scope, fixed ips, routing tables if you use them)
-services config (DHCP, DNS, AD)
-server responsibilities(which server does what)

Hardware Configuration:
-how switches, routers and servers are connected together + config backups
-what spec these components are
-as much information on the workstations as you can be bothered adding ie specs

Software Configuration:
-what software programs are installed throughout the school, how and where they are installed.

Procedures:
-how to build a new machine (software wise)
-adding users (any special procedure) - depends on how documentation happy you are at the time
-etc.









Table of Contents

Network Overview - basic introduction
Internet Access - configuration of proxy / ports etc
Servers
Primary Server - IP address, roles, spec etc
Secondary Server - roles, spec etc
Espresso - cachepoilot config, location, access

Hubs and Switches
Upper school hub cabinet - location, configuration, free space
Lower school hub cabinets - location, configuration, free space
Fax Room hubs - location, configuration, free space
ICT Suite hubs - location, configuration, free space

Admin Department

Reception - PC specs, programs, roles, users, accounts, IP addresses

Finance - PC specs, programs, roles, users, accounts, IP addresses

Other PC’s
ICT Suite - specs, number of PCs, names, programs, age
Classroom PC’s - specs, number of PCs, names, programs, age
Staffroom - specs, number of PCs, names, programs, age

Laptops; Overview
Staff Laptops - specs, names, programs, age, user
Pupil / Education laptops - specs, number of PCs, names, programs, age

Printers / Photocopiers - location, age, capabilities
E-Mail account
ICT Office; General information

Appendices;
Appendix A: Full list of school software - name, age, compatability, use, where installed,
Appendix B: Profile information - how to set up a new profile for staff / students
Appendix C: Map and Key for both sites showing equipment location
Appendix D: Full Laptop List - specs, assigned to, age, serial number, name
Appendix E: Printer List - specs, type, serial number / MACs, location
Appendix F: Desktop PC’s - specs, assigned to, age, serial number, name
Appendix G: WAPs and Projectors - specs, assigned to, age, serial number / MACs, name

[djames]

The free edition of XIA Configuration maybe able to help with some of these challenges depending on the number of machines you need to document.

XIA Configuration Server, Network Documentation - CENTREL Solutions

[Elison]

actually it depends on you, what do you NEED to include there but usually the full network inventory includes:
1. full hardware inventory, information about each computer: mainboard, RAM, HDD, printers, processor, and so on.
2. full software inventory. It may include operation system, installed software, licenses, hotfixes, etc. I would recommend using 10-Strike Network Inventory Explorer (see here) for this. It obtains all the data I have spoken about and creates many inventory reports and tables. so you can find anything you need easily.
btw, it does not require installing anything on remote computers to inventory them.

[pete]

In addition: Weird stuff. I say again WEIRD STUFF.

Things that at first glance would make someone think "WTF? That can't be right". And then when they "fix" it all manner of things break horribly.

Document those things first.

[tmcd35]

Got to admit I've been going over some of our documentations the past couple of days (a lot really still needs doing). Just got a proper DR plan writ up.

Any who, I've found that a Wiki system can work quiet well rather than having a single manual. Makes it easier to update, search, etc.

[Elison]

In addition: Weird stuff. I say again WEIRD STUFF.

Things that at first glance would make someone think "WTF? That can't be right". And then when they "fix" it all manner of things break horribly.

Document those things first.

honestly, i cant get what you wanted to say....what it is about?