Reducing Network Documentation Effort by Visio Automation. David Cuthbertson

Transcription

1 Reducing Network Documentation Effort by Visio Automation David Cuthbertson

2 Diagrams Are Very Useful!

3 But Not all Diagrams Help! 3

4 If A Picture Paints a Thousand Words How do we paint a thousand pictures? Easily?

5 Reducing Your Workload Architecture Overviews LAN/WAN/SAN Diagrams Inventory / Connection Lists Automation Current Method Floor & Rack Diagrams 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

6 Visio Automation Agenda 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, consistency 4. Automation for larger infrastructures - Automated creation and updating

7 A Few Questions Who has used Visio for more than 2 years? Which is easier and faster to complete? a. Drawing a Visio diagram at a planning stage b. Drawing a Visio diagram of an existing network Is it possible to get different engineers to draw the same Visio diagrams?

8 Visio history 1. Visio Basics 1992 First released, 2000 acquired by Microsoft Last non-ms versions had auto-discovery, equipment templates all removed with Visio 2003 Versions Visio 2007/10/13 Standard Visio 2007/10/13 Professional Visio 2010/13 Premium Visio 2007/10/13 Viewer (runs in IE browser) 8

9 Visio Version Comparison 9

10 Visio Features 10

11 Data Features 11

12 Visio Resources And Help Microsoft web site Books LinkedIn group Visio Enthusiasts Equipment manufacturer web sites Cisco, Commscope, Siemon HP, Dell, IBM, others 3rd Party stencils netzoom, others Visioguy

13 Templates, Stencils, Shapes Categories Templates Stencils 42 U 8 U 2 U 2 U 3 U 1 U 4 U 1 U 2 U 8 U 2 U 2 U Shape

14 Visio Concepts and terms Template Stencil Shape Shape properties Connector Background Layer RTR-BHAM-01 SW-BHAM-01 Properties Cisco Live Data Centre Comms Room

15 Visio Basics -1 Creating new diagram from a template 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 15

16 Visio Basics - 2 Connectors 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 16

17 Static glue Static glue is to a particular connection point The connection points used don t move even if the shapes are moved 17

18 Dynamic glue Drag connector onto shape and wait until shape is highlighted in red If you move the shapes relative to each other the connection moves appropriately 18

19 Using Different Stencils (and searching) Use Shapes tab Select via menus Use Search options External stencil sets Suppliers, 3 rd party 19

20 Using External /3 rd Party Stencils There are lots to choose from Free many suppliers sets Manufacturers Cisco, Commscope, etc. 3 rd Party custom sets Purchase NetZoom Other products with embedded stencils / graphics

21 Danger! - Visio File Sizes Two files Diagram 1 Diagram kB 12kB Diagram 1 is 166 times the size of Diagram 2! Some tips to reduce file sizes 21

22 2. Diagramming Techniques Good diagramming practice 1. The detail that you see - What is seen visually / printed 2. Additional data / information within diagram - Additional action by viewer display, click, show layer, etc. 3. How you get to other information? - Drill down, open files, launch remote session 22

23 The Process of Creating a Diagram 1. Purpose Gather data Define shapes Transfer data to diagram Layout Add extra detail Save Send / publish diagram 1. Which takes the most time? 2. Where can errors creep in?

24 CRITICAL MAJOR MINOR USER COMPACT FAN STATUS C6509-E-FAN INSTALL RUN CISCO SYSTEMS, INC. WS-X6K-SUP1A-2GE SUPERVISOR 1 WS-X T SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card3 STATUS PORT 1 PORT 2 PORT 3 PORT 4 PORT 5 PORT 6 PORT 7 PORT 8 PORT 9 PORT 10 PORT 11 PORT 12 PORT 13 PORT 14 PORT 15 PORT PORT 10 GbE MODULE WS-X6748-GE-TX WS-X6748-GE-TX WS-X T STATUS SYSTEM STATUS STATUS INPUT V ~ 16A 60/50 Hz INPUT V ~ 16A 60/50 Hz INPUT OK WS-C6509-E 2 FAN OK OUTPUT FAIL SWITCH MUST BE IN OFF O POSITION TO INSTALL/ REMOVE POWER SUPPLY. FASTENER MUST BE FULLY ENGAGED PRIOR TO OPERATING POWER SUPPLY P O R T 4 8 P O R T SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card /100/1000 GE MOD SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card9 STATUS PORT 1 PORT 2 PORT 3 PORT 4 PORT 5 PORT 6 PORT 7 PORT 8 PORT 9 PORT 10 PORT 11 PORT 12 PORT 13 PORT 14 PORT 15 PORT PORT 10 GbE MODULE ACTIVE PWR MGMT RESET I CONSOLE DTE/DCE 100% SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card1 1% SWITCH LOAD PCMCIA EJECT microsystems 10/100/1000 GE MOD INSTALL RUN CISCO SYSTEMS, INC INPUT V ~ 16A 60/50 Hz INPUT V ~ 16A 60/50 Hz LINK PORT 1 INPUT OK FABRIC ENABLED RJ FABRIC ENABLED RJ45 2 FAN OK OUTPUT FAIL SWITCH MUST BE IN OFF O POSITION TO INSTALL/ REMOVE POWER SUPPLY. FASTENER MUST BE FULLY ENGAGED PRIOR TO OPERATING POWER SUPPLY LINK PORT Diagram Process Examples 1. Purpose Rack Diagram R01 Network Diagram Orlando LAN 2. Gather data Select Rack R01 Inventory Switches / Router in Orlando SW-BHAM-Trade01 3. Define shapes Match to Physical Shapes SW-BHAM-CORE1 Match to Logical Shapes 4. Transfer data to diagram Create Shapes Create Shapes and connections 5. Layout Place/size to position in rack Move/size for readability 6. Add extra detail Notes, etc. Notes, etc. 7. Save Save as Rack R01 Save as Orlando LAN 8. Send / publish diagram Store on server Intranet/SharePoint Store on server Intranet/SharePoint

25 Is This A Good Diagram? Contoso, Inc. IT Purchase Request Sales team proposed expansion Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition CPU (MHz) 3 Memory (MB) 2048 Windows Storage Server 2003 CPU (MHz) 1.4 IP Address sql-sales-01 Memory (MB) 1024 IP Address filestore-sales-01 Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition CPU (MHz) 3.2 web-sales-02 Administrator Don Hall Memory (MB) 2560 Windows Storage Server 2003 CPU (MHz) 1.26 IP Address sql-sales-02 Memory (MB) 768 IP Address filestore-sales-02 Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition CPU (MHz) 3 web-sales-03 Administrator Don Hall Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition CPU (MHz) 2 Memory (MB) 2048 IP Address sql-sales-03 Memory (MB) 1536 IP Address ftp-sales-01 25

26 Does It Have These Characteristics? 1. Title 2. Purpose Contoso, Inc. IT Purchase Request Sales team proposed expansion 3. Author Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition CPU (MHz) 3 4. Version Windows Storage Server 2003 CPU (MHz) 1.4 Memory (MB) 2048 IP Address sql-sales Date 6. Instructions 7. Symbols 8. Attributes 9. Connections Memory (MB) 1024 IP Address Windows Storage Server 2003 CPU (MHz) 1.26 Memory (MB) 768 IP Address Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition CPU (MHz) 2 filestore-sales-01 filestore-sales-02 Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition CPU (MHz) 3.2 Memory (MB) 2560 IP Address Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition CPU (MHz) 3 Memory (MB) 2048 IP Address sql-sales-02 sql-sales-03 web-sales-02 Administrator Don Hall web-sales-03 Administrator Don Hall 10. Grouping Memory (MB) 1536 IP Address ftp-sales Background / layers 26

27 Enterprise Architecture Zackman Framework perspectives abstractions DATA What FUNCTION How NETWORK Where PEOPLE Who MOTIVATION Why SCOPE Planner List of Things - Important to the Business List of Processes - the Business Performs List of Locations - in which the Business Operates List of Organizations - Important to the Business List of Events - Significant to the Business List of Business Goals and Strategies contextual Entity = Class of Business Thing Function = Class of Business Process Node = Major Business Location People = Class of People and Major Organizations Time = Major Business Event Ends/Means=Major Business Goal/Critical Success Factor e.g., Semantic Model e.g., Business Process Model e.g., Logistics Network e.g., Work Flow Model e.g., Master Schedule e.g., Business Plan ENTERPRISE MODEL Owner conceptual Entity = Business Entity Rel. = Business Relationship Process = Business Process I/O = Business Resources Node = Business Location Link = Business Linkage People = Organization Unit Work = Work Product Time = Business Event Cycle = Business Cycle End = Business Objective Means = Business Strategy SYSTEM MODEL Designer e.g., Logical Data Model e.g., Application Architecture e.g., Distributed System Architecture e.g., Human Interface Architecture e.g., Processing Structure e.g., Business Rule Model logical Entity = Data Entity Rel. = Data Relationship Process.= Application Function I/O = User Views Node = IS Function Link = Line Characteristics People = Role Work = Deliverable Time = System Event Cycle = Processing Cycle End = Structural Assertion Means =Action Assertion e.g., Physical Data Model e.g., System Design e.g., Technical Architecture e.g., Presentation Architecture e.g., Control Structure e.g., Rule Design TECHNOLOGY CONSTRAINED MODEL Builder physical Entity = Tables/Segments/etc. Rel. = Key/Pointer/etc. e.g. Data Definition Process= Computer Function I/O =Data Elements/Sets e.g. Program Node = Hardware/System Software Link = Line Specifications e.g. Network Architecture People = User Work = Screen/Device Format e.g. Security Architecture Time = Execute Cycle = Component Cycle e.g. Timing Definition End = Condition Means = Action e.g. Rule Specification DETAILED REPRESEN- TATIONS Subcontractor out-of-context Entity = Field Rel. = Address Process= Language Statement I/O = Control Block Node = Addresses Link = Protocols People = Identity Work = Job Time = Interrupt Cycle = Machine Cycle End = Sub-condition Means = Step FUNCTIONING ENTERPRISE DATA Implementation FUNCTION Implementation NETWORK Implementation ORGANIZATION Implementation SCHEDULE Implementation STRATEGY Implementation

28 Visio Examples Floor plans Importing CAD / other formats Layers Data center floor plans Backgrounds Hyperlinking

29 3. Linking Visio To Data Sources Saves typing mistakes Enables refresh of data One diagram can serve multiple purposes Less to maintain Multiple views of one device Less to maintain Enables use Of Data Graphics Feature

30 Understanding Reality To understand infrastructure and manage change We need multiple views Rack schematics Equipment configuration Physical connectivity Logical end point connectivity End device connectivity

31 UK_BIRM01_BLADE-05 UK_BIRM01_BLADE-04 UK_BIRM01_BLADE-03 UK_BIRM01_BLADE-02 UK_BIRM01_BLADE-01 BLADE-BIRM01.BLADE-SW2 BLADE-BIRM01.BLADE-SW1 UK_BIRM01_BLADE-12 UK_BIRM01_BLADE-10 UK_BIRM01_BLADE-09 Multiple Device Instances in Diagrams Claims Processing Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable Payroll NTU-TEST03 Payment Module Accounts Module Sage Payroll RTR-BHAM-01 Rack Position ACCOUNTS PAYROLL NTU-BHAM-01 Floor Plan PP PWR01-02-B PWR01-02-A BLADE_BIRM01 H/W Build SVRWIN001 Service view UK_BIRMCC_PDU1 SW-BHAM- CORE1 SW-BHAM- CORE PWR01-03-A PWR01-04-A PWR01-05-A PWR A PWR01-07-A SW-BHAM-01 SW-BHAM-03 SW-BHAM-06 SW-BHAM-05 SW-BHAM-04 SW-BHAM-02 UK_BIRM_UX01 UK_BIRM_UX02 UK_BIRM_UX09 UK_BIRM_UX10 UK_BIRM_UX03 Power Supply UK_BIRM_UX05 UK_BIRM_UX07 UK_BIRM_UX04 UK_BIRM_UX06 UK_BIRM_UX08 PWR01-03-B PWR B PWR B PWR B PWR B Network Connections UK_BIRM_UX01 UK_BIRM_UX02 UK_BIRM_UX09 UK_BIRM_UX05 UK_BIRM_UX03 UK_BIRM_UX06 UK_BIRM_UX07 UK_BIRM_UX04 UK_BIRM_UX08 UK_BIRM_UX UK_BIRMCC_PDU

32 Reduce The Workload! Excel Visio Floor box list Cabinet list Patch panel list Inventory Inventory Inventory Floor plan Equipment room floor plan Backbone cabling diagram Network diagram Rack diagram Server connectivity diagram

33 Using External Data Sources New Updating 1. Purpose 1. Purpose Gather data Define shapes Time saving Gather data Check diagram for match 4. Transfer data to diagram 4. Add / Delete shape Connector, Data 5. Layout 5. Review Layout 6. Add extra detail 6. Add extra detail 7. Save 7. Save 8. Send / publish diagram 8. Send / publish diagram

34 Visio Data Graphics Standard feature 2007/10/13 Professional Enables use of embedded data Display multiple text fields around a shape Data bars to show capacity Use icons for status differences Change shape colour based on data value Server

35 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

36 First Steps For Multiple Diagrams Control use of shapes / stencils Follow best practices for diagram information Save reference versions in common areas File locations Web site SharePoint Use a common source where possible for shape data Databases preferred to spreadsheets Create views to suit diagram information need 36

37 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 production Infrastructure document management Shared across teams, controlled access

38 Extending Visio Automation New Updating 1. Purpose 1. Purpose Gather data Define shapes Time saving Gather data Check diagram for match 4. Transfer data to diagram 4. Add / Delete shape Connector, Data 5. Layout 5. Review Layout 6. Add extra detail 6. Add extra detail 7. Save 7. Save 8. Send / publish diagram 8. Send / publish diagram

39 Simple Goals Draw 60 rack diagrams and save on a file server by room location Check and update 100 site network diagrams with changes in devices, connections and data Refresh an updated set of build documents covering racks, hardware, cabling, power within a data center transition project When now, tonight, every Friday

40 Many Infrastructure Information Needs Plan Build Operate Risk Dispose Project and tasks Ease and speed of creation Ease of distribution Flexible to meet task needs Limited training Examples Project documentation Equipment lists Visio/CAD diagrams Test results Operations And Risk Control Ease of use by many Structured for integration & reporting Support for multiple processes Wide scope the big picture! Examples Asset and Inventory management Business / service dependencies Monitoring of performance, status Risk and Recovery 40

41 Leverage Data Sources Plan Build Operate Risk Dispose Documents Lists Diagrams CMDB NMS IIM CMS SAM DCIM Knowledge Contracts Monitoring Workflow Capacity Data Storage Inventory Networks Cabling Power Excel Visio Dave(s) 41

42 Maintain - Infrastructure Knowledge Plan Build Operate Risk Dispose Project and tasks Ease and speed of creation Ease of distribution Flexible to meet task needs Limited training Operations And Risk Control Ease of use by many Structured for integration & reporting Support for multiple processes Wide scope the big picture! Record planning decisions in the operational system Produce project docs for/from the operational system 42

43 CRITICAL MAJOR MINOR USER COMPACT FAN STATUS C6509-E-FAN INSTALL RUN CISCO SYSTEMS, INC. WS-X6K-SUP1A-2GE SUPERVISOR 1 WS-X T SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card3 STATUS PORT 1 PORT 2 PORT 3 PORT 4 PORT 5 PORT 6 PORT 7 PORT 8 PORT 9 PORT 10 PORT 11 PORT 12 PORT 13 PORT 14 PORT 15 PORT PORT 10 GbE MODULE WS-X6748-GE-TX WS-X6748-GE-TX WS-X T STATUS SYSTEM STATUS STATUS INPUT V ~ 16A 60/50 Hz INPUT V ~ 16A 60/50 Hz INPUT OK WS-C6509-E 2 FAN OK OUTPUT FAIL SWITCH MUST BE IN OFF O POSITION TO INSTALL/ REMOVE POWER SUPPLY. FASTENER MUST BE FULLY ENGAGED PRIOR TO OPERATING POWER SUPPLY P O R T 4 8 P O R T SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card /100/1000 GE MOD SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card9 STATUS PORT 1 PORT 2 PORT 3 PORT 4 PORT 5 PORT 6 PORT 7 PORT 8 PORT 9 PORT 10 PORT 11 PORT 12 PORT 13 PORT 14 PORT 15 PORT PORT 10 GbE MODULE ACTIVE PWR MGMT RESET I CONSOLE DTE/DCE 100% SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card1 1% SWITCH LOAD PCMCIA EJECT microsystems 10/100/1000 GE MOD INSTALL RUN CISCO SYSTEMS, INC INPUT V ~ 16A 60/50 Hz INPUT V ~ 16A 60/50 Hz LINK PORT 1 INPUT OK FABRIC ENABLED RJ FABRIC ENABLED RJ45 2 FAN OK OUTPUT FAIL SWITCH MUST BE IN OFF O POSITION TO INSTALL/ REMOVE POWER SUPPLY. FASTENER MUST BE FULLY ENGAGED PRIOR TO OPERATING POWER SUPPLY LINK PORT Diagram Automation Examples 1. Purpose Rack Diagram R01 Network Diagram Orlando LAN 2. Gather data Select Rack R01 Inventory Switches / Router in Orlando SW-BHAM-Trade01 3. Define shapes Match to Physical Shapes SW-BHAM-CORE1 Match to Logical Shapes 4. Transfer data to diagram Create Shapes Create Shapes and connections 5. Layout Place/size to position in rack Move/size for readability 6. Add extra detail Notes, etc. Notes, etc. 7. Save Save as Rack R01 Save as Orlando LAN 8. Send / publish diagram Store on server Intranet/SharePoint Store on server Intranet/SharePoint

44 Simplify Infrastructure Data Capture Data capture focusses on delivering database load files Visualization is either created automatically, or by combining data with existing backdrops - floor plans No need to check across multiple diagrams / documents for consistency and format 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 Building Excel Rack Excel Device Excel Cable

45 Making Trusted Data A Reality 1. Establish policies, standards and ownership of data and diagrams. Make it simpler and easier for engineers and managers 2. Have project / operations use common terms & formats Supply templates, naming system, labels, etc. 3. Reduce the numbers of documents / files to maintain Consolidate 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 processes

46 Review From The Start Architecture Overviews LAN/WAN/SAN Diagrams Inventory / Connection Lists Automation Current Method Floor & Rack Diagrams 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

47 Visio Automation Tips and Techniques Lots of productivity features are unknown Save yourself and others a lot of effort! Learn more about Visio Linking to existing data sources has many benefits 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

48 Additional Material Free SMS Visio utilities Downloads and videos Webinars/videos Visio automation, documenting cabling, etc. Evaluation software Free DCIM/CMS evaluation version Webinars Data center practices, Visio integration