Understanding the network.pdf - Back to Home

However, the most valuable tool of all, on any network, is proper documentation.
Without adequate documentation, your network will become an unmanageable
beast before your eyes. Documentation helps you and others visualize the role of
each component in the network and provides a common reference point for
configuration, technical contact, and service and warranty information.
Documentation
This point cannot be emphasized enough: Good documentation is very important.
Without it, you are lost. One of the most common misconceptions about computer
networks is that they are too complicated to manage. This is not the case. A network
that is well designed and properly documented is easily managed, and when
problems do arise, they are often easy to pinpoint and resolve.
Now, the word "documentation" is often misunderstood and is, in some circles, a
"dirty" word. So, let's start with what documentation is not. It is not notes scribbled
on napkins and pizza boxes, or a notebook filled with sketches. Proper network
documentation is a set of documents that describes the following:
• The topology of your network, each of its hardware components, and the
protocols in use to transmit, transport, and manage data delivery.
• The site's (or sites') cabling infrastructure and labeling scheme, kind of
cabling used (copper and fiber), types of connectors, patch panels, average
cable length between the end-stations and the interconnect panel, and any
certification documentation.
• The servers on the network, their operating system, the function they
perform, network address information, administrator information, and so
on.
• A management document that describes the general operational policies
regarding the network. This document would also describe the management
system, documentation policy, format, and contact information. This
document is usually associated with a company's computer and physical
security policy and a disaster recovery plan.
The actual format and method you follow to document your network is up to you.
Your company might already have a standard and format they use for this kind of
information. The key is to make sure it is accurate, up to date, readable, and easily
accessible.
To get you started, here are some basic ideas about the kinds of information your
documentation should contain.