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?