[K12OSN] Documenting the Network

Rob Owens rowens at ptd.net
Thu Mar 19 18:08:56 UTC 2009


OpenOffice Draw has similar abilities, although I don't know if it's got the same pre-built graphics for routers, etc.

-Rob

On Thu, Mar 19, 2009 at 11:52:56AM -0600, David L. Willson wrote:
> dia can be used to create basic network maps with switches, routers, servers, etc.  Not sure if that's already been mentioned or not.  I hear Kivio does this sort of thing, too, but I haven't used it.
> 
> David L. Willson
> Trainer, Engineer, Enthusiast
> MCT, MCSE, Linux+
> tel://720.333.LANS
> Freeing people from the tyranny (or whatevery) of Microsofty-ness, one at a time.
> 
> ----- "\"Terrell Prudé Jr.\"" <microman at cmosnetworks.com> wrote:
> 
> > j.w. thomas wrote:
> > 
> > How do you guys document your networking environment?
> > 
> > I am the sole admin of a small system, and it just seems bad practice
> > for the sole repository of all that info to be my head. For one, my
> > head is notoriously unreliable for that sort of thing. Also, it can't
> > be backed up.
> > 
> > Right now I have a small setup with a firewall, an ltsp server, five
> > clients, a wireless connection, and a stand-alone workstation. More to
> > come later (printers, more services, etc).
> > 
> > I'm planning to fire up an svn server to use as a repo for all the
> > /etc directories on all the machines. I also have a text file with
> > descriptions of every technical detail I could think to put in it:
> > equipment specs, models, location, function, wireless encryption keys,
> > power feeds (i.e., ups or not), ip addresses, services, etc.
> > 
> > I intend to draw a network map tonight, and I'm going to print that
> > and the text file out and keep them in the network closet, maybe
> > hanging on the wall. I'm also thinking that I will write the root
> > passwords down on a piece of paper, seal it in an envelope, and put it
> > in the network closet. That might seem like a bad idea, but if they
> > can get in the network closet, they can already pwn the system. A
> > sealed envelope would provide for an easy way to get the info should
> > something happen to me, and would provide a pretty decent indication
> > that the info had been accessed. Kind of an "In case of emergency,
> > break glass" approach.
> > 
> > Is there a better way to store all this info? Maybe some software
> > (FLOSS only please) has been written to deal with this already? What
> > do you guys do?
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > I draw pictures and type up a description. Then this stuff goes in a
> > file labeled "Network Documentation." Yeah, I know, low-tech, but it
> > works very, very well.
> > 
> > --TP
> > 
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