Network Documentation

Question 1

Internal operating procedures

Answer 1

• Organizations have different business objectives
  
  • Processes and procedures
• Operational procedures
  
  • Downtime notifications
  • Facilities issues

• Software upgrades - Testing, change control

• Documentation is the key
  
  • Everyone can review and understand the policies

Question 2

Mapping the network

Answer 2

• Networks are built in phases
  
  • Large chunks at a time
• You can’t see most of it
  
  • Fiber and wires in the walls and ceiling
• Documentation is essential
  
  • Both physical and logical
• One of the best things you can do
  
  • Especially as the new hire

Question 3

Logical network maps

Answer 3

• Specialized software
  
  • Visio, OmniGraffle, Gliffy.com
• High level views
  
  • WAN layout, application flows

• Useful for planning and collaboration

Question 4

Physical network maps

Answer 4

• Follows the physical wire and device

* Can include physical rack locations

Question 5

Change management

Answer 5

• How to make a change
• Upgrade software, change firewall configuration,
modify switch ports

• One of the most common risks in the enterprise
  
  • Occurs very frequently
• Often overlooked or ignored
  
  • Did you feel that bite?

• Have clear policies
• Frequency, duration, installation process,
fallback procedures

• Sometimes extremely difficult to implement
  
  • It’s hard to change corporate culture

Question 6

Managing your cables

Answer 6

• ANSI/TIA/EIA 606
• Administration Standard for the Telecommunications
Infrastructure of Commercial Buildings

• Presentation of information
  
  • Reports, drawings, work orders
• Pathway, space, grounding
  
  • Identifiers, Labeling
• Cables
  
  • Identifiers, labels, color coding, bar coding

Question 7

Labeling

Answer 7

• Everything is tagged and labeled
  
  • A standard format
• Port labeling
  
  • CB01-01A-D088
  • CB01 - Main facility
  • 01A - Floor 1, space A
  • D088 - Data port 88
• All cables are documented
  
  • Central database

Question 8

System labeling

Answer 8

• Many people will work on a single workstation or
server
• There needs to be a standard reference

• Unique system ID
  
  • Asset tag
  • System name
  • Serial number
• Clearly visible
  
  • Especially in a data center

Question 9

Circuit labeling

Answer 9

• WAN circuits aren’t a problem
  
  • Until they are a problem
  • It’s outside your control
• All components of the WAN
  
  • Demarc interface
  • CSU/DSU
  • Router
• Label information
  
  • WAN provider Circuit ID
  • WAN provider phone number
  • Internal reference name

Question 10

Patch panel labeling

Answer 10

• Not much real estate
  
  • Fit a lot into a small space
• Number each side of the link
  
  • Incremental
  • Geographically descriptive

Question 11

Baselines

Answer 11

• Broadly defined
  
  • What does it mean to you?
  • Application response time, network throughput, etc.
• Point of reference
  
  • Accumulated knowledge
  • Examine the past to predict the future
  • Useful for planning