Reducing Network Documentation Effort by Visio ... - BICSI · PDF fileReducing Network Documentation Effort by Visio Automation ... Extending Visio Automation 1 New ... Reducing Network

Reducing Network Documentation Effort by Visio Automation

David Cuthbertson

Diagrams Are Very Useful!g y

But Not all Diagrams Help!g p

If A Picture Paints a Thousand Words

How do we paint a thousand pictures? Easily?p p y

Reducing Your Workloadg

Architecture Overviews

/

LAN/WAN/SAN Diagrams

Automation

Current Method

l k

Inventory / Connection Lists

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Floor & Rack Diagrams

Visio Automation Agendag

1. Understand Visio – out of the box

2. Diagramming techniques- Making it simpler for all

3. Linking Visio to data sources- Reduce cut/paste, diagram refresh, consistencyReduce cut/paste, diagram refresh, consistency

4. Automation for larger infrastructuresAutomated creation and updating- Automated creation and updating

A Few Questions

• Who has used Visio for more than 2 years?

• Which is easier and faster to complete?pa. Drawing a Visio diagram at a planning stage

b. Drawing a Visio diagram of an existing networkb. Drawing a Visio diagram of an existing network

• Is it possible to get different engineers to dra• Is it possible to get different engineers to draw exactly the same Visio diagram?

1. Visio Basics• Visio history

1992 Fi t l d 2000 i d b Mi ft– 1992 First released, 2000 acquired by Microsoft

– Last non-MS versions had auto-discovery, equipment templates – all removed with Visio 2003p

• Versions– Visio 2007/10/13 StandardVisio 2007/10/13 Standard

– Visio 2007/10/13 Professional

– Visio 2010/13 Premium

– Visio 2007/10/13 Viewer (runs in IE browser)

Visio Version Comparisonp

Visio Features

Data Features

Visio Resources And Helpp• Microsoft web site

• Books• Books

• LinkedIn group – Visio Enthusiasts

• Equipment manufacturer web sitesEquipment manufacturer web sites– Cisco, Commscope, Siemon

– HP, Dell, others www.visiocafe.com www.shapesource.com

d il• 3rd Party stencils– netZoom, others www.altimatech.com

• Visioguy www.visguy.comVisioguy www.visguy.com

Templates, Stencils, Shapesp pCategories

Templates

Stencils

Shape

Visio Concepts and termsp

• Template SW-BHAM-01 PropertiesCisco 2950

• Stencil

• Shape

10.6.2.32Live

p

• Shape properties

• Connector

Data Centre

• Connector

• Background

• Layer RTR-BHAM-01

Comms Room

Visio Basics -1• Creating new diagram from a template

i l i h• Manipulating shapes on a page

• Aligning and Distributing Shapes

• Copy, Paste and Duplicate Shapes

• Grouping and ungrouping shapes

• Foreground and Background options

• Zooming in and Out of the Page

• Using the Drawing Toolbar to create basic shapes

Visio Basics - 2• Connectors

S i d d i l• Static and dynamic glue

• Adding, deleting and moving connector points

• Using different stencils– Stencil search

• Shape behaviour -1d, 2d, drill down

• Working with text– Object text

– Freeform text

Text block tool– Text block tool

Static glueg

• Static glue is to aStatic glue is to a particular connection pointpoint

• The connection points used don’t move even ifused don t move even if the shapes are moved

Dynamic gluey g

• Drag connector onto shapeDrag connector onto shape and wait until shape is highlighted in red

• If you move the shapes relative to each other the connection moves appropriately

Using Different Stencils (and searching)

• Use Shapes tabUse Shapes tab

• Select via menus

S h i• Use Search options

• External stencil sets– Suppliers, 3rd party

19

Using External /3rd Party Stencilsg y

• There are lots to choose from

• Free– www.visiocafe.com

– www.shapesource.com

– Manufacturers Cisco, Commscope, etc.p

– 3rd Party custom sets

• PurchasePurchase– NetZoom

– Other products with embedded stencils / graphics– Other products with embedded stencils / graphics

Danger! - Visio File Sizesg

Two files

Diagram 1 1995kB

Diagram 2 12kBg

Diagram 1 is 166 times the size of Diagram 2!Diagram 1 is 166 times the size of Diagram 2!

Some tips to reduce file sizes

2. Diagramming Techniquesg g qGood diagramming practice

1. The detail that you see/- What is seen visually / printed

2. Additional data / information within diagramAddi i l i b i di l li k h l- Additional action by viewer – display, click, show layer, etc.

3. How you get to other information?D ill d fil l h t i- Drill down, open files, launch remote session

The Process of Creating a Diagramg g

1. Purpose

2.

3. 1. Which takes the most time?

Gather data

Define shapes3.

4. 2. Where can errors creep in?Transfer data to diagram

p

5.

6.

Layout

Add extra detail

7.

detail

Save

Send / publish8. Send / publish diagram

Diagram Process Examplesg p1. Purpose Rack Diagram R01

Network DiagramOrlando LAN

2.

3.

Gather data

Define shapes

Select Rack R01Inventory

Match to Physical Shapes

Switches / Routerin Orlando

Match to Logical Shapes

SW-BHAM-Trade01FAN

STATUS

C6509-E-FAN

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

WS-C6509-E

INPUT 110 0-2 40V ~

INPU T 110 0-2 40 V ~

SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card3

STATUS

WS- X6 748- GE-T X 4748

3738

3536

2526

2324

1314

1112

12

4 8 P O R T12119 107 85 63 41 2 242321 2219 2017 1815 1613 14 363533 3431 3229 3027 2825 26 484745 4643 4441 4239 4037 38

10/100/1000GE MO D

FAB RIC E NABLEDRJ45

SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card4

STATUS

WS- X6 748- GE-T X 4748

3738

3536

2526

2324

1314

1112

12

4 8 P O R T12119 107 85 63 41 2 242321 2219 2017 1815 1613 14 363533 3431 3229 3027 2825 26 484745 4643 4441 4239 4037 38

10/100/1000GE MO D


SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card5

SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card9

WS-X6K-SUP1A-2GE

SUPERVISOR 1

STA

TU

S

SYS

TE

M

AC

TIV

E

PWR

MG

MT

RE

SET

CONSOLE

DT

E/D

CE

SWITCH LOAD

100%

1%

PORT 1

PCMCIA EJECT

PORT 2

LINK

LINK

SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card1

4. Transfer data to diagram

Create Shapes

l /

Physical Shapes

Create Shapesand connections

/

Logical Shapes1

FANOK

OUTPU TFAIL

2

INPU TOK

SWITCH M US T BE IN OFF “O” P OSITION TO INSTALL/REMOV E P OWER S UP PLY . FASTENE R MUST BE FULLYENGAGED P RIOR TO OP ERATING POWER SUPPL Y.

CISC O SYSTEMS, IN C.

INPUT 210 0-2 40V ~16 A60 /5 0 Hz

16 A60 /5 0 Hz

INSTALL

RUN

1

FANOK

OU TPU TFAIL

2

INP UTOK

S WITCH MUST BE IN OFF “O” POSITION T O INST ALL/REMOV E POWER S UP PLY . FASTE NE R MUST BE FULLYE NGAGED P RIOR TO OP ERATING P OWE R SUPP LY.

C ISC O SYS TEMS , INC.

INPU T 210 0-2 40 V ~16 A60 /50 Hz

16 A60 /50 Hz

INSTALL

RUN

SW-BHAM-CORE1

440

I

CRITICAL

MAJOR

MINOR

USER

COMP ACT

microsystems

440

I

CRITICAL

MAJOR

MINOR

USER

COMP ACT

microsystems

5.

6.

Layout

Add extra detail

Place/size to position in rack

Notes, etc.

Move/size for readability

Notes, etc.

8

7. Save

Send / publish

Save as Rack R01

Store on server

Save as Orlando LAN

Store on server8. Send / publish diagram

Store on serverIntranet/SharePoint


Is This A Good Diagram?g

Does It Have These Characteristics?

1. Title

2. Purpose

3. Author

4. Version

5. Date

7. Symbols

6. Instructions

8. Attributes

9. Connections

10 G i10. Grouping

11. Background / layers

Enterprise Architecture – Zackman FrameworkDATA FUNCTION NETWORK MOTIVATIONPEOPLEabstractionsWhat How Where

List of Things -Important to the Business

List of Processes -the Business Performs

List of Locations -in which the Business Operates

WhyWhoList of Business Goals and Strategies

List of Events -Significant to the Business

List of Organizations -Important to the Business

SCOPEPlanner

perspectives

e.g., Semantic Model

Entity = Class ofBusiness Thing

Function = Class ofBusiness Process

e.g., Business Process Model

P B i P

Node = Major BusinessLocation

e.g., Logistics Network

Ends/Means=Major BusinessGoal/Critical Success FactorTime = Major Business Event

e.g., Master Schedule

People = Class of People andMajor Organizations

e.g., Work Flow Model e.g., Business Plan

ENTERPRISE MODEL

Owner

contextual

e.g., Logical Data Model

Entity = Business EntityRel. = Business Relationship

e.g., Application Architecture

Process = Business ProcessI/O = Business Resources Node = Business Location

Link = Business Linkage

e.g., Distributed SystemArchitecture

e.g., Business Rule Model

End = Business ObjectiveMeans = Business Strategy

e.g., Processing Structure

Time = Business EventCycle = Business Cycle

People = Organization UnitWork = Work Product

e.g., Human InterfaceArchitecture

SYSTEM MODELDesigner

conceptual

e.g., Physical Data Model

Entity = Data EntityRel. = Data Relationship

Process.= Application FunctionI/O = User Views

e.g., System Design

Node = IS FunctionLink = Line Characteristics

e.g., Technical Architecture e.g., Rule Design

End = Structural AssertionMeans =Action Assertion

Time = System EventCycle = Processing Cycle

e.g., Control Structure

People = RoleWork = Deliverable

e.g., Presentation Architecture

Designer

TECHNOLOGYCONSTRAINED

logical

e.g. Data Definition

Entity = Tables/Segments/etc.Rel. = Key/Pointer/etc.

Process= Computer FunctionI/O =Data Elements/Sets

e.g. Program

Node = Hardware/SystemSoftware

Link = Line Specifications

e.g. Network Architecture e.g. Rule Specification

End = ConditionMeans = Action

Time = ExecuteCycle = Component Cycle

e.g. Timing Definition

People = UserWork = Screen/Device Format

e.g. Security Architecture

MODELBuilder

DETAILEDREPRESEN

physical

DATA Implementation

Entity = FieldRel. = Address

Process= Language StatementI/O = Control Block

FUNCTIONImplementation

Node = AddressesLink = Protocols

NETWORKImplementation

End = Sub-conditionMeans = Step

Time = InterruptCycle = Machine Cycle

SCHEDULEImplementation

People = IdentityWork = Job

ORGANIZATIONImplementation

STRATEGYImplementation

REPRESEN-TATIONS

Subcontractorout-of-context

FUNCTIONINGENTERPRISE

Visio Examplesp

• Floor plans

• Importing CAD / other formats

• Layers y

• Data center floor plans

• Backgrounds• Backgrounds

• Hyperlinking

3. Linking Visio To Data Sourcesg

• Saves typing mistakes

• Enables refresh of data

• One diagram can serve multiple purposesg p p p– Less to maintain

• Multiple views of one deviceMultiple views of one device– Less to maintain

• Enables se Of Data Graphics Feat re• Enables use Of Data Graphics Feature

Understanding Realityg yTo understand infrastructure

and manage changeand manage change

We need multiple viewsWe need multiple views

• Rack schematics

• Equipment configuration

• Physical connectivity

• Logical end point ti itconnectivity

• End device connectivity

Multiple Device Instances in Diagrams

Rack Position

Floor PlanService view

BLADE_BIRM01

UK

_BIRM

01_BLADE-01

UK

_BIRM

01_BLADE-02

UK

_BIRM

01_BLADE-03

UK

_BIRM

01_BLADE-04

BLADE-BIR

M01.BLAD

E-SW1

BLADE-BIR

M01.BLAD

E-SW2

UK

_BIRM

01_BLADE-05

UK_BIR

M

UK_BIR

M

UK_BIR

M

H/W Build

M01_BLAD

E-09

M01_BLAD

E-10

M01_BLAD

E-12

Power Supply

Network Connections

Reduce The Workload!

Excel Visio

Floor box list Floor plan

Cabinet list Equipment room floor planCabinet list Equipment room floor plan

Patch panel list Backbone cabling diagram

Inventory Network diagram

Inventory Rack diagram

Inventory Server connectivity diagram

Using External Data Sourcesg

1

NewPurpose 1

UpdatingPurpose1.

2.

Purpose

Gather data

1.

2.

Purpose

Gather dataTime saving

3.


Define shapes 3.

4. Add / Delete shapeConnector Data

Check diagram for match

g

4.

5.

to diagram

Layout 5.

Connector, Data

Review Layout

dd6.

7.

Add extra detail

Save

6.

7.

Add extra detail

Save

8. Send / publish diagram


Visio Data Graphicsp

• Standard feature 2007/10/13 Professional

• Enables use of embedded data– Display multiple text fields around a shape

– Data bars to show capacityData bars to show capacity

– Use icons for status differences

– Change shape colour based on data valueChange shape colour based on data value

Limitations Of Visio / Data Source

• Good for quick diagrams

• The data transfer and refresh is automated, but the filtering and selection is manual

• It doesn’t connect shapes together– Limits value in a network environment

• New devices are not added to diagrams

First Steps For Multiple Diagramsp p g• Control use of shapes / stencils

ll b i f di i f i• Follow best practices for diagram information

• Save reference versions in common areas– File locations

– Web site

SharePoint– SharePoint

• Use a common source where possible for shape data– Databases preferred to spreadsheets– Databases preferred to spreadsheets

– Create views to suit diagram information need

4. Automation For Larger Infrastructures

• Looking beyond a few spreadsheets

• Minimise manual maintenance effort– Scale and separation of roles demands it

• Improving accuracy and consistency– Software driven diagram productionSoftware driven diagram production

• Infrastructure document managementShared across teams controlled access– Shared across teams, controlled access

Extending Visio Automationg

1

NewPurpose 1

UpdatingPurpose

Time saving

1.

2.

Purpose

Gather data

1.

2.

Purpose

Gather data

g3.


Define shapes 3.

4. Add / Delete shapeConnector Data

Check diagram for match

4.

5.

to diagram

Layout 5.

Connector, Data

Review Layout

dd6.

7.

Add extra detail

Save

6.

7.

Add extra detail

Save



Simple Goalsp

• Draw 60 rack diagrams and save on a file b l iserver by room location

• Check and update 100 site network diagrams with changes in devices, connections and data

• Refresh an updated set of build documents pcovering racks, hardware, cabling, power within a data center transition projectp j

• When – now, tonight, every Friday

Many Infrastructure Information Needs

Pl B ild O t Ri k DiPlan Build Operate Risk Dispose

P j t d t k O ti A d Ri k C t lProject and tasks Operations And Risk ControlEase and speed of creationEase of distributionFlexible to meet task needs

Ease of use by manyStructured for integration & reportingSupport for multiple processes

ExamplesProject documentation

ExamplesAsset and Inventory management

Flexible to meet task needsLimited training

Support for multiple processesWide scope – the big picture!

Project documentationEquipment listsVisio/CAD diagramsTest results

y gBusiness / service dependenciesMonitoring of performance, statusRisk and Recovery

Leverage Data Sources


ListsDocuments Diagrams

KnowledgeIIMCMDB Knowledge IIMCMDB DCIMCMSNMS SAM

Data

Inventory

Monitoring Workflow Capacity

Cabling

Contracts

PowerNetworks

Storage

Dave(s)

Excel Visio

Data

Inventory Dave(s)

Maintain - Infrastructure Knowledge


P j t d t k O ti A d Ri k C t lProject and tasks Operations And Risk ControlEase and speed of creationEase of distributionFlexible to meet task needs

Ease of use by manyStructured for integration & reportingSupport for multiple processesFlexible to meet task needs

Limited trainingSupport for multiple processesWide scope – the big picture!

Record planning decisions in the operational systemProduce project docs for/from the operational system

Diagram Automation Examplesg p1. Purpose Rack Diagram R01

Network DiagramOrlando LAN

2.

3.

Gather data

Define shapes

Select Rack R01Inventory

Match to Physical Shapes

Switches / Routerin Orlando

Match to Logical Shapes

SW-BHAM-Trade01FAN

STATUS

C6509-E-FAN

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

WS-C6509-E

INPUT 110 0-2 40V ~

INPU T 110 0-2 40 V ~

SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card3

STATUS

WS- X6 748- GE-T X 4748

3738

3536

2526

2324

1314

1112

12

4 8 P O R T12119 107 85 63 41 2 242321 2219 2017 1815 1613 14 363533 3431 3229 3027 2825 26 484745 4643 4441 4239 4037 38

10/100/1000GE MO D


SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card4

STATUS

WS- X6 748- GE-T X 4748

3738

3536

2526

2324

1314

1112

12

4 8 P O R T12119 107 85 63 41 2 242321 2219 2017 1815 1613 14 363533 3431 3229 3027 2825 26 484745 4643 4441 4239 4037 38

10/100/1000GE MO D


SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card5

SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card9

WS-X6K-SUP1A-2GE

SUPERVISOR 1

STA

TU

S

SYS

TE

M

AC

TIV

E

PWR

MG

MT

RE

SET

CONSOLE

DT

E/D

CE

SWITCH LOAD

100%

1%

PORT 1

PCMCIA EJECT

PORT 2

LINK

LINK

SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card1


Create Shapes

l /

Physical Shapes

Create Shapesand connections

/

Logical Shapes1

FANOK

OUTPU TFAIL

2

INPU TOK

SWITCH M US T BE IN OFF “O” P OSITION TO INSTALL/REMOV E P OWER S UP PLY . FASTENE R MUST BE FULLYENGAGED P RIOR TO OP ERATING POWER SUPPL Y.

CISC O SYSTEMS, IN C.

INPUT 210 0-2 40V ~16 A60 /5 0 Hz

16 A60 /5 0 Hz

INSTALL

RUN

1

FANOK

OU TPU TFAIL

2

INP UTOK

S WITCH MUST BE IN OFF “O” POSITION T O INST ALL/REMOV E POWER S UP PLY . FASTE NE R MUST BE FULLYE NGAGED P RIOR TO OP ERATING P OWE R SUPP LY.

C ISC O SYS TEMS , INC.

INPU T 210 0-2 40 V ~16 A60 /50 Hz

16 A60 /50 Hz

INSTALL

RUN

SW-BHAM-CORE1

440

I

CRITICAL

MAJOR

MINOR

USER

COMP ACT

microsystems

440

I

CRITICAL

MAJOR

MINOR

USER

COMP ACT

microsystems

5.

6.

Layout

Add extra detail

Place/size to position in rack

Notes, etc.

Move/size for readability

Notes, etc.

8

7. Save

Send / publish

Save as Rack R01

Store on server

Save as Orlando LAN

Store on server8. Send / publish diagram



Simplify Infrastructure Data Capture• Data capture focusses on delivering database load

filesExcel

• Visualization is either created automatically, or by combining data with existing backdrops - floor Excel

Building

g g pplans

• No need to check across multiple diagrams /

Rack

No need to check across multiple diagrams / documents for consistency and format

A faster less complex and less costly audit which

Excel

Device

A faster, less complex and less costly audit, which doesn’t require high skill levels within the audit team as the software system creates the visualization

Excel

Cable

Making Trusted Data A Realityg y1. Establish policies, standards and ownership of data and

diagramsdiagrams.Make it simpler and easier for engineers and managers

2. Have project / operations use common terms & formatsSupply templates, naming system, labels, etc.

3. Reduce the numbers of documents / files to maintainConsolidate into centralised systems and make them easy to find

/ /Link / create / update Visio diagrams, reports, excel from databases

4. Update operational systems as part of planning processesp p y p p g p

Review From The Start

Architecture Overviews

/

LAN/WAN/SAN Diagrams

Automation

Current Method

l k

Inventory / Connection Lists

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Floor & Rack Diagrams

Visio Automation Tips and Techniques

• Lots of productivity features are unknownS lf d th l t f ff t!– Save yourself and others a lot of effort!

– Learn more about Visio

• Linking to existing data sources has many benefitsLess errors easier to refresh diagrams and update them– Less errors, easier to refresh diagrams and update them

– Use the data graphics feature to reduce diagram numbers

• For larger environments Assess the value of database driven systems– Assess the value of database driven systems

Additional Material

www.microsoft.comhttp://blogs.office.com/b/visio/

https://www.facebook.com/MicrosoftVisio

www.squaremilesystems.comFree SMS Visio utilities Downloads and videos

Webinars/videos Visio automation, documenting cabling, etc.

www.assetgen.comEvaluation software Free “DCIM/CMS” evaluation version

Webinars Data center practices Visio integrationWebinars Data center practices, Visio integration