Network Diagrams

Been thinking of doing a network diagram to go with my hosts list.

 

Simple question, what software do you use to make your network diagrams? The more free the better

Visio for me. Not free though

Visio for me. Not free though

 

Stuff costs money, as I say to all my teaching colleagues

Network Notepad freebie allows you to create interactive diagrams so if you insert ip's etc... for switches and other devices you can click on them and telnet or connect to their web interface easily.

 

Ben

Could try Dia. Nowhere near as good as Visio but gets the job done and its free

Or in my case, it was a piece of paper and a pen...........

 

(I needed it quickly and off the top of my head)

 

Chris

I used to use Visio pirate edition. Its pretty good, but now I am legal and use Kvivo, from koffice. it does mostly the same stuff.

http://www.koffice.org/kivio/

Nagios here. Check the 2d and 3d views.

 

http://nagios.sourceforge.net/images/screens/big/statuswrl.jpg

http://nagios.sourceforge.net/images/screens/big/statusmap.jpg

Visio

Had just started to put something together using freemind but this thread has thrown up a few other good ideas.. Hmmm... :?

I ordered a license for Visio when I ordered my last load of Office licenses from Ramesys - they chucked in the license and media for free

I use Visio and Flukes Network Manager, visio is perfect though, the fluke software talks to my fluke tools and to my managed switches

Just thought I'd try Visio out, how do I stack certain things like patch panels and switches? :?

Had just started to put something together using freemind but this thread has thrown up a few other good ideas.. Hmmm... :?

 

Just had a play with that - not bad for logical maps, especially since it automatically makes room for new stuff.

 

What do people use for _physical_ maps? i.e uplink cable goes through drop ceiling, up onto roof, disappears somewhere amongst the air-con units then reappears in some random trunking 50m away (don't ask).

 

I've been using photos and hand-drawn diagrams for the stuff I've installed / redone, but there are still swathes of uncharted Cat5 in our school (see above).

I have started using Network Notepad - it's great for logical maps. Easy to use and very slight learning curve. Thanks for the tip!!

Just thought I'd try Visio out, how do I stack certain things like patch panels and switches? :?

 

Just stack them on top of each other, its as simple as that (unless I have mis-understoof you).

I have used Rational Rose in the past - it is mainly for UML modeling but it can also be used for network diagrams (via a plugin) - very powerful stuff.

 

It takes some time to learn to use though so it probably is not the best tool if you have not used it before.

 

Pete

Just thought I'd try Visio out, how do I stack certain things like patch panels and switches? :?

 

Just stack them on top of each other, its as simple as that (unless I have mis-understoof you).

 

The wont stack, the go on top of each other, eg so you can't see the one underneath... :?

@DRogers: You might have to play around with the order (send to back, send underneath, bring to front etc) on the right-click menu of the objects.

Can you post a screeney of what its doing as I have just stacked swtiches on top of each other and its fine, unless your using 3d models of them. Sometimes they need rotating to work better, but most things do stack.

I've just been knocking up a quick network diagram - it's in its early stages and needs some refining.

 

I will probably use the HP Visio shapes and I will be adding the 'Custom Properties' details too soon.

 

For now, here it is! Each building is represented by a coloured block and the trunk connections are in bold. Notice the stupid link that leaves the main block only to re-enter it on its way back to the server room!

Made my diagram with web pics of the switches. Needs updating now - swapped in a load of HP Procurves and upgraded more links to gigabit

 

I must admit those HP visio shapes are brill!

@mark: What a monster switch in the middle!

 

I challenge anybody to have a route from a switch to the server room that leaves the building, crosses a car park and 'playground', enters another building and leaves that building before reaching the servers! (only 5 switches mind!) - It's fibre all the way but I could just run a 20m copper cable down the corridor and achieve the same link!

If you have 3Com switches in your network then download Network Supervisor from their site - gives all sorts of info - ip address, which ports are connected to switches, pcs, etc. Also shows loading and config problems - as well as nice labelled connection diagrams