Network maps can also be static (they don’t change and need to be manually updated) or dynamic ( they’re automatically updated as things change). In some instances, network infrastructure mapping tools may provide physical and logical mappings on the same map. However, in practice, there’s a lot of variance in the level of detail in network maps.
For example, a logical network map might visualize the Layer 2 and Layer 3 connections that enable data to flow from a server to a default gateway such as a firewall, and then the internet. Logical network map: A logical network map details the logical connections between devices on a network.For example, a physical network map might display the Layer 1 connections between devices (e.g., cables and ports) on a network, the devices themselves, and even position in a server rack. Physical network map: A physical network map details the physical devices, cables, connections, and locations on a network.At a high-level, we can group network maps into two categories: Network maps, sometimes called network diagrams, are one of the most important pieces of network documentation you can have. What is a network map?Ī network map is a visualization of the devices, physical connections, and logical connections in a network. To better understand why mapping network infrastructure is important, let’s take a look at what’s in a network map.
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In most cases, manual mapping is useful during the network design stages or for small networks, while automatic network mapping tools help once networks are up and running. For example, several of the top network monitoring tools provide network mapping functionality.
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Network infrastructure mapping can be done manually using tools like diagramming software or even pen and paper (although that will complicate storage and sharing!).Īdditionally, there are plenty of tools that automate the network infrastructure mapping process. network infrastructure mapping, network topology mapping, or network mapping, is the process of creating maps that visualize your network layout by creating a network map. Here, to help you avoid those problems (or break out of the tech debt cycle), we provide a crash course on network infrastructure mapping and look at the best network mapping tools available today. Network engineers often end up in a negative feedback loop where changes occur to solve problems, those changes go undocumented, and tech debt mounts. In many cases, however, network maps contain stale information or don’t exist at all. Similarly, network maps can help everyone in your organization better understand and optimize a network you inherit. For network professionals who are managing a small number of network devices at their organization, HelpSystems now offers a fully-functional free version of Intermapper, user-friendly, reliable network monitoring software for Windows, Linux, and Mac.Network infrastructure mapping tools that help you maintain up-to-date maps can be the difference between quickly diagnosing a problem or wasting hours of your time.
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