Documenting Your Network – Part 1 of 5

Oct 25, 2011 | Networks

Being in sales, it’s funny what you see out there talking to prospective customers and looking in their server rooms. (Not to sound like Jeff Foxworthy, but…) If there is a half-eaten ham sandwich sitting on the server rack, your network might be a mess. If you have to stand on the toilet and knock a ceiling tile out just to see the servers/infrastructure, your network might be a mess.

So let’s run through some critical documentation every business should have. First, the most basic but often overlooked, THE NETWORK DIAGRAM (Fig. 1). This is a map of the network with both logical and physical diagrams outlining the flow of data through and out of your network, as well as how the network puzzle is pieced together. This should not be a set of rough pictures doodled in pencil on a legal pad (seen it many times). It needs to be in Visio file format that uses a set of industry standard icons and descriptions so that any certified IT professional can accurately read and follow the layout should they need to step in and help resolve a network issue.

Fig. 1 – Network Diagram (if you don’t have this in your documentation, you need to ask your IT person why it is not there.)

Also, it can’t be the one from last year right before you upgraded everything. Just like I’m not going to show you my family portrait with two kids missing.

Tune in next time for Part 2…


Recent Posts

5 Questions to Ask a Potential IT Partner

5 Questions to Ask a Potential IT Partner

When it comes to starting any new business relationship, the “fit” is imperative. Building business relationships always requires a little homework and research, but it primarily boils down to one thing—asking the right questions. It is even more important to ask the...

Hidden Benefits of a Data Backup Solution

Hidden Benefits of a Data Backup Solution

We're in the age of digital transformation where data is increasingly becoming an essential business asset. To safeguard this valuable asset, businesses invest in data backup solutions. These solutions act as an insurance policy for data, protecting it from unforeseen...

SharePoint Versus Cloud File Storage

SharePoint Versus Cloud File Storage

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape of the 21st century, the way businesses handle and manage data has become a critical factor in determining their success. More than ever, businesses are reliant on efficient and secure data management systems to drive their...