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Documenting Your Network Creating a network handbook that will make your job easier. Do You Have Network Documentation? • • • • Do you have a network diagram? Is your network diagram current? Have you documented your server software configuration? Have you documented your hardware configuration? We don’t have documentation because… • • • • The last Network Administrator kept the information in his/her head and didn’t bother to write anything down… Documenting a network takes time and I don’t have the time… We have documentation but it isn’t current… We contract with a consultant/vendor to take care of our network and they keep the information with them… Benefits of Network Documentation Faster troubleshooting Good documentation reduces the need to research solutions to the same problem each time the problem arises. A visual diagram can help identify potential problem areas in a more timely manner. Reduced information loss Prevents loss of important network information when employees leave the organization, making the transition period less painful. Easier task sharing Network administrators can successfully delegate network responsibilities because important information is available in written form. Improved network design A current network diagram is a key element in any design process. What is the GREATEST benefit to you? Complete up-to-date network documentation will save you TIME! How much information do I need to include? Theoretically A good rule of thumb is to include everything you would need to rebuild your ENTIRE network from scratch. Realistically The amount and depth of your documentation will vary depending on the complexity of your network and the resources you have to create/collect the documentation. Examples of information you might include are: • • • • • • • • Building diagram/floor plan Physical network diagram Logical network diagram Hardware information Configuration information Protocol information DNS information Network administration information - Contact information - Vendor information • • • • • • Device log sheets Procedure documentation Baseline network utilization reports Acceptable use policy Security policy Disaster recovery plan Back to Top Documenting Your Network, Step 1: Diagrams Network Layout Diagram Figure 1. Example of a building diagram/floor plan Using a building diagram (Figure 1), create a network layout/cabling diagram (Figure 2) that includes: • • • • Telco demarcation point Wiring closet Cable runs Physical locations of important network devices Figure 2. Example of a network layout/cabling diagram Physical Network Diagram In order to quickly and effectively troubleshoot your network, you MUST understand the overall physical layout and connectivity. Physically, how do the pieces of your network fit together? The best way to understand this is through a physical network diagram. What information should I include? List all network devices and endpoints. A network device is anything that is used to transfer data from one point to another. This includes routers, switches, hubs, remote access equipment, firewalls, etc. Endpoints are workstations, servers, printers, etc. Where do I begin? Start at the edge device or point where your network connects to the “outside” world; for example, the Telco Demarc. Physically verify and document how each additional network device or endpoint is connected. For example: 1. Follow the cable from the Demarc to the CSU/DSU 2. Follow the cable from the CSU/DSU to router 3. ... Tip: While you are creating your Physical Network Diagram, label each device you identify. • • • • Create a labeling scheme Don’t base labels on a person’s name. Label both ends of each cable. Make sure writing is legible Do I have to use a software program to create the diagram? Your documentation can be as simple as a hand-drawn network diagram or as complex as a series of inter-connected Visio diagrams with embedded device configuration information. The important factor is that the information is accurate and up-to-date. Advantage • Using a software package can make updates easier. Just make sure you clearly identify the current version of your network diagram. Disadvantages • • Some packages are complex and expensive. Learning curve can be quite high. Back to Top Sample Physical Network Diagrams It is not important what tool you use to diagram your network. It is important that you do it. Below are three examples of network diagrams created with software tools. If you don't have a software tool for creating a network diagram, simply create one with pencil and paper. Figure 3. Simple diagram with shapes created using a basic drawing program Figure 4. Simple diagram created with network diagramming software Figure 5. Detailed diagram created with network diagramming software Figure 6. Router/Switch Detail Back to Top Logical Network Diagram The logical network diagram deals with upper layer information (i.e. protocols, applications, etc.). It provides detailed information on how traffic gets from one device to another logically. • • Routing Server/Client Figure 7. Logical network diagram with upper layer protocol information Back to Top Documenting Your Network, Step 2: Device Information Tracking Your Information You may create your own network tracking document or you may find the tool at the following link helpful. The tool provides guidelines for collecting and organizing your information, followed by tables and forms that can be used for recording configuration information. Network Fact Sheet: Your Network at a Glance Hardware List hardware information for each network device and endpoint. • • • • • • Make/model Serial number Number of ports Network interface card make/model MAC address Type of connection (RJ45) Configuration Information Documenting the configuration information can be even more critical than the hardware information. Hardware is easily replaced, but a lost custom or non-standard configuration can be impossible to recreate. Document configuration information for each device. • • • Print off hard copies of configuration files. Keep copies on floppy disk or another server. Document specific software configurations. Protocol information • • • TCP/IP - ranges used IPX/SPX - network numbers Appletalk - zone information DNS information • • Registered domain names with corresponding IP addresses: www.myschool.com 192.168.1.254 Indicate the network device on which the IP address is configured: 192.168.1.254 -- Netware FS 3 Back to Top Documenting Your Network, Step 3: Network Administration Information Network Administration Resources • • • • • Call lists - who to call when there’s an outage on the Network (LAN or WAN) -Contact Persons -Phone Numbers Hardware vendor information Software vendor information License information for software Maintenance contracts Log Sheets for Hardware/Software Upgrade/Patch Information Log information for each network device or endpoint. • • • Configuration changes and the date those changes were made Update or patch versions Hardware upgrade or replacement information – part numbers Document Procedures General network administration • • • How to create users Templates used Printers used Server administration • • • Windows domain information Netware NDS information Schedules – backups, patches, auditing log files, etc. Documenting Your Network, Step 4: Other Important Information Utilization Statistics For troubleshooting purposes, it is recommended that you have baseline utilization statistics available. • • Comparative data Trending Links eHealth, MRTG, NetFlow Reports http://www.more.net/network/status.html Acceptable Use Policy Include a current copy of your organization’s Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). An AUP is the written policy that outlines the terms and conditions for network use. It defines what is considered acceptable use and also the penalties for rule violations. Links MOREnet's Acceptable Use Policy http://www.more.net/about/policies/aup.html Roundtable Discussion: Acceptable Use Policies (Educational Technology Conference 2001) http://www.more.net/security/presentations/aup-roundtable-100501a.pdf Roundtable Discussion: Acceptable Use Policies (Educational Technology Conference 2002) http://www.more.net/security/presentations/aup.pdf Security Information • • • Copy of Security Policy Who has access to password information Procedures for reporting a Security Incident Links MOREnet Security http://www.more.net/security/index.html Disaster Recovery Plan Include a current copy of your organization’s Disaster Recovery Plan. Links Disaster Recovery Planning (CNS -Computing & Networking Services) http://www.utoronto.ca/security/drp.htm Disaster Recovery Plan (Janco Associates, Inc.) http://www.e-janco.com/DRP.htm DRJ's Sample DR Plans and Outlines http://www.drj.com/new2dr/samples.htm MOREnet Security http://www.more.net/security/index.html Back to Top What’s available to make the documentation job easier? Training Offered by MOREnet • • • Networking 101 Maintaining Your LAN Bridging, Switching, and Routing See the Training Schedule on the MOREnet website for times, dates, and additional training opportunities at: http://solutions.more.net/apps/training/schedule/ Reporting a Technical Problem (MOREnet Web-based training) http://www.more.net/training/webbased/index.html Network Tools (Software) Systems Management Server http://www.microsoft.com/smserver/ Microsoft Visio http://www.microsoft.com/office/visio/default.asp LANauditor iInventory http://www.lanauditor.com/ BlueOcean Software http://www.blueocean.com/default.asp Asset Navigator http://www.a-navigator.com/ BridgeAudit http://www.kemmasoftware.com/bridgeaudit.htm Network View http://www.networkview.com/ SolarWinds Network Management Tools http://www.solarwinds.net/ Peregrine's Asset Management http://www.peregrine.com/us/Products/AssetManagement/default.htm ISP Planet SNMP ToolChest http://www.isp-planet.com/equipment/tchest1.html Additional Resources Technic Discussion List http://www.connect.more.net/lists/technic/ Books Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com Periodicals Links MOREnet Technical Support: Networks http://www.more.net/technical/netserv/ Florida Center for Instructional Technology: An Educator's Guide to School Networks http://fcit.coedu.usf.edu/network/default.htm