Applying Visio Automation Techniques to Network and

Infrastructure Documentation

David Cuthbertson

Diagrams Are Very Useful!

If A Picture Paints a Thousand Words

How do we paint a thousand pictures? Easily?

A Few Questions

• Who has used Visio for more than 2 years?

• Which is easier and faster to complete?

a. Drawing a diagram at a planning stage

b. Drawing a diagram of an existing network

• Is it possible to get 5 people to draw exactly the same Visio diagram?

Reducing Your Workload

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

Floor & Rack Diagrams

Inventory / Connection Lists

LAN/WAN/SAN Diagrams

Architecture Overviews

Automation

Current Method

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

1. Visio Basics

• Visio history

– 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)

Visio Resources And Help

• Microsoft web site

• Books

• LinkedIn group – Visio Enthusiasts

• Equipment manufacturer web sites – Cisco, Commscope, Siemon

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

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

• Visioguy www.visguy.com

Templates, Stencils, Shapes

42 U

8 U

3 U

4 U

2 U

2 U

2 U

2 U

1 U

1 U

8 U

2 U

Templates

Stencils

Shape

Categories

Visio Concepts and terms

• Template

• Stencil

• Shape

• Shape properties

• Connector

• Background

• Layer

SW-BHAM-01

RTR-BHAM-01

Properties

Cisco 2950

10.6.2.32

Live

Data Centre

Comms Room

Using Different Stencils (and searching)

• Use Shapes tab

• Select via menus

• Use Search options

• External stencil sets

– Suppliers, 3rd party

11

Danger! - Visio File Sizes

Two files

Large Blank Diagram 1995kB

Small Blank Diagram 12kB

Two empty files – One is 166 times the size of the other!

12

13

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

14

Diagram Process Examples

1.

8.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Purpose

Gather data

Transfer data to diagram

Layout

Add extra detail

Save

Send / publish diagram

Define shapes

Network Diagram Birmingham LAN

Switches / Routers in Birmingham

Create Shapes and connections

Move/size for readability

Notes, etc.

Save as Birmingham LAN

Store on server Intranet/SharePoint

Match to Logical Shapes

SW-BHAM-Trade01

Rack Diagram R01

Select Rack R01 Inventory

Create Shapes

Place/size to position in rack

Notes, etc.

Save as Rack R01

Store on server Intranet/SharePoint

Match to Physical Shapes

FANSTATUS

C6509-E-FAN

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

WS-C6509-E

1

FANOK

OUTPUTFAIL

2

INPUTOK

SWITCH MUST BE IN OFF “O” POSITION TO INSTALL/REMOVE POWER SUPPLY. FASTENER MUST BE FULLYENGAGED PRIOR TO OPERATING POWER SUPPLY.

CISCO SYSTEMS, INC.

INPUT 2100-240V ~16A60/50 Hz

INPUT 1100-240V ~16A60/50 Hz

INSTALL

RUN

1

FANOK

OUTPUTFAIL

2

INPUTOK

SWITCH MUST BE IN OFF “O” POSITION TO INSTALL/REMOVE POWER SUPPLY. FASTENER MUST BE FULLYENGAGED PRIOR TO OPERATING POWER SUPPLY.

CISCO SYSTEMS, INC.

INPUT 2100-240V ~16A60/50 Hz

INPUT 1100-240V ~16A60/50 Hz

INSTALL

RUN

SW-BHAM-CORE1

STATUS PORT 1 PORT 2 PORT 3 PORT 4 PORT 6 PORT 7 PORT 8 PORT 10 PORT 11 PORT 12 PORT 14 PORT 15 PORT 16PORT 5 PORT 9 PORT 13

WS-X6716-10T

16 PORT 10 GbE MODULE

SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card3

STATUS

WS-X6748-GE-TX47

48

37

38

35

36

25

26

23

24

13

14

11

12

1

2

4 8 P O R T

12119 107 85 63 41 2 242321 2219 2017 1815 1613 14 363533 3431 3229 3027 2825 26 484745 4643 4441 4239 4037 38

10/100/1000

GE MOD

FABRIC ENABLED

RJ45

SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card4

STATUS

WS-X6748-GE-TX47

48

37

38

35

36

25

26

23

24

13

14

11

12

1

2

4 8 P O R T

12119 107 85 63 41 2 242321 2219 2017 1815 1613 14 363533 3431 3229 3027 2825 26 484745 4643 4441 4239 4037 38

10/100/1000

GE MOD

FABRIC ENABLED

RJ45

SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card5

STATUS PORT 1 PORT 2 PORT 3 PORT 4 PORT 6 PORT 7 PORT 8 PORT 10 PORT 11 PORT 12 PORT 14 PORT 15 PORT 16PORT 5 PORT 9 PORT 13

WS-X6716-10T

16 PORT 10 GbE MODULE

SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card9

WS-X6K-SUP1A-2GE

SUPERVISOR 1

ST

AT

US

SY

ST

EM

AC

TIV

E

PW

R M

GM

T

RE

SE

T

CONSOLE

DT

E/D

CE

SWITCH LOAD

100%

1%

PORT 1

PCMCIA EJECT

PORT 2

LINK

LINK

SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card1

440

I

CRITICAL

MAJOR

MINOR

USER

COMPACT

microsystems

440

I

CRITICAL

MAJOR

MINOR

USER

COMPACT

microsystems

15

Best Practices?

1. Title

2. Purpose

7. Symbols

8. Attributes

9. Connections

6. Instructions

3. Author

4. Version

5. Date

10. Grouping

11. Background / layers

Contoso, Inc.IT Purchase Request

Sales team proposed expansion

IP Address 10.0.1.5

Memory (MB) 1024

CPU (MHz) 1.4

Windows Storage

Server 2003

filestore-sales-01

IP Address 10.0.1.6

Memory (MB) 768

CPU (MHz) 1.26

Windows Storage

Server 2003

filestore-sales-02

IP Address 10.0.1.14

Memory (MB) 1536

CPU (MHz) 2

Windows Server

2003, Standard

Edition

ftp-sales-01

IP Address 10.0.1.51

Memory (MB) 2048

CPU (MHz) 3

Windows Server

2003, Datacenter

Edition

sql-sales-01

IP Address 10.0.1.52

Memory (MB) 2560

CPU (MHz) 3.2

Windows Server

2003, Datacenter

Edition

sql-sales-02

IP Address 10.0.1.53

Memory (MB) 2048

CPU (MHz) 3

Windows Server

2003, Datacenter

Edition

sql-sales-03

Administrator

Don Hall

web-sales-02

Administrator

Don Hall

web-sales-03

Visio Examples

• Floor plans

• Importing CAD / other formats

• Layers

• Data center floor plans

• Backgrounds

• Hyperlinking

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

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

Reduce The Workload!

Excel Visio

Floor box list Floor plan

Cabinet list Equipment room floor plan

Patch panel list Backbone cabling diagram

Inventory Network diagram

Inventory Rack diagram

Inventory Server connectivity diagram

20

Multiple Device Instances in Diagrams Claims

Processing

Payment Module

ACCOUNTS

Accounts Module

SVRWIN001

Accounts

Payable

Accounts

Receivable

PAYROLL

Sage Payroll

Payroll

SW-BHAM-

CORE1

SW-BHAM-

CORE2

SW-BHAM-01 SW-BHAM-03 SW-BHAM-05 SW-BHAM-02SW-BHAM-04SW-BHAM-06

UK_BIRM_UX01 UK_BIRM_UX02 UK_BIRM_UX09 UK_BIRM_UX04UK_BIRM_UX05 UK_BIRM_UX03 UK_BIRM_UX06 UK_BIRM_UX07 UK_BIRM_UX08 UK_BIRM_UX10

99999

99999

UK_BIRMCC_PDU1

UK_BIRMCC_PDU2

PWR01-

03-A

PWR01-

04-A

PWR01-

05-A

PWR01-06-

A

PWR01-

07-A

PWR01-

03-B

PWR01-04-

B

PWR01-05-

B

PWR01-06-

B

PWR01-07-

B

UK_BIRM_UX01 UK_BIRM_UX02 UK_BIRM_UX09 UK_BIRM_UX10 UK_BIRM_UX03 UK_BIRM_UX04

UK_BIRM_UX05

UK_BIRM_UX06

UK_BIRM_UX07

UK_BIRM_UX08

PP01-02-01

RTR-BHAM-01

PWR01-02-A

PWR01-02-B

NTU-BHAM-01

NTU-TEST03

Floor Plan

Rack Position

Service view

Power Supply

Network Connections

BLADE_BIRM01

UK

_B

IRM

01

_B

LA

DE

-01

UK

_B

IRM

01

_B

LA

DE

-02

UK

_B

IRM

01

_B

LA

DE

-03

UK

_B

IRM

01

_B

LA

DE

-04

BL

AD

E-B

IRM

01.B

LA

DE

-SW

1

BL

AD

E-B

IRM

01.B

LA

DE

-SW

2

UK

_B

IRM

01

_B

LA

DE

-05

UK

_B

IRM

01

_B

LA

DE

-09

UK

_B

IRM

01

_B

LA

DE

-10

UK

_B

IRM

01

_B

LA

DE

-12

H/W Build

Using External Data Sources

1.

8.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

New

Purpose

Gather data

Transfer data to diagram

Layout

Add extra detail

Save

Send / publish diagram

Define shapes

1.

8.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Updating

Purpose

Gather data

Add / Delete shape Connector, Data

Review Layout

Add extra detail

Save

Send / publish diagram

Check diagram for match

Time

saving

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

01-03

Server

01-03

3220

01-03

3330

23

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

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

24

Time

saving

Extending Visio Automation

1.

8.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

New

Purpose

Gather data

Transfer data to diagram

Layout

Add extra detail

Save

Send / publish diagram

Define shapes

1.

8.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Updating

Purpose

Gather data

Add / Delete shape Connector, Data

Review Layout

Add extra detail

Save

Send / publish diagram

Check diagram for match

Simple Goals

• Draw 60 rack diagrams and save in 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

Leverage Data Sources

Plan Build Operate Risk Dispose

27

Inventory

Monitoring Workflow Capacity

Cabling

Contracts

Power Networks

Storage

Lists Documents Diagrams

Dave(s)

Knowledge IIM CMDB DCIM CMS

NMS SAM

Excel Visio

Data

Maintain - Infrastructure Knowledge

28

Plan Build Operate Risk Dispose

Project and tasks Operations And Risk Control

Ease and speed of creation

Ease of distribution

Flexible to meet task needs

Limited training

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

29

Diagram Automation Examples

1.

8.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Purpose

Gather data

Transfer data to diagram

Layout

Add extra detail

Save

Send / publish diagram

Define shapes

Rack Diagram R01

Select Rack R01 Inventory

Create Shapes

Place/size to position in rack

Notes, etc.

Save as Rack R01

Store on server Intranet/SharePoint

Match to Physical Shapes

Network Diagram Birmingham LAN

Switches / Routers in Birmingham

Create Shapes and connections

Move/size for readability

Notes, etc.

Save as Birmingham LAN

Store on server Intranet/SharePoint

Match to Logical Shapes

SW-BHAM-Trade01FAN

STATUS

C6509-E-FAN

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

WS-C6509-E

1

FANOK

OUTPUTFAIL

2

INPUTOK

SWITCH MUST BE IN OFF “O” POSITION TO INSTALL/REMOVE POWER SUPPLY. FASTENER MUST BE FULLYENGAGED PRIOR TO OPERATING POWER SUPPLY.

CISCO SYSTEMS, INC.

INPUT 2100-240V ~16A60/50 Hz

INPUT 1100-240V ~16A60/50 Hz

INSTALL

RUN

1

FANOK

OUTPUTFAIL

2

INPUTOK

SWITCH MUST BE IN OFF “O” POSITION TO INSTALL/REMOVE POWER SUPPLY. FASTENER MUST BE FULLYENGAGED PRIOR TO OPERATING POWER SUPPLY.

CISCO SYSTEMS, INC.

INPUT 2100-240V ~16A60/50 Hz

INPUT 1100-240V ~16A60/50 Hz

INSTALL

RUN

SW-BHAM-CORE1

STATUS PORT 1 PORT 2 PORT 3 PORT 4 PORT 6 PORT 7 PORT 8 PORT 10 PORT 11 PORT 12 PORT 14 PORT 15 PORT 16PORT 5 PORT 9 PORT 13

WS-X6716-10T

16 PORT 10 GbE MODULE

SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card3

STATUS

WS-X6748-GE-TX47

48

37

38

35

36

25

26

23

24

13

14

11

12

1

2

4 8 P O R T

12119 107 85 63 41 2 242321 2219 2017 1815 1613 14 363533 3431 3229 3027 2825 26 484745 4643 4441 4239 4037 38

10/100/1000

GE MOD

FABRIC ENABLED

RJ45

SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card4

STATUS

WS-X6748-GE-TX47

48

37

38

35

36

25

26

23

24

13

14

11

12

1

2

4 8 P O R T

12119 107 85 63 41 2 242321 2219 2017 1815 1613 14 363533 3431 3229 3027 2825 26 484745 4643 4441 4239 4037 38

10/100/1000

GE MOD

FABRIC ENABLED

RJ45

SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card5

STATUS PORT 1 PORT 2 PORT 3 PORT 4 PORT 6 PORT 7 PORT 8 PORT 10 PORT 11 PORT 12 PORT 14 PORT 15 PORT 16PORT 5 PORT 9 PORT 13

WS-X6716-10T

16 PORT 10 GbE MODULE

SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card9

WS-X6K-SUP1A-2GE

SUPERVISOR 1

ST

AT

US

SY

ST

EM

AC

TIV

E

PW

R M

GM

T

RE

SE

T

CONSOLE

DT

E/D

CE

SWITCH LOAD

100%

1%

PORT 1

PCMCIA EJECT

PORT 2

LINK

LINK

SW-BHAM-CORE1.Card1

440

I

CRITICAL

MAJOR

MINOR

USER

COMPACT

microsystems

440

I

CRITICAL

MAJOR

MINOR

USER

COMPACT

microsystems

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

Excel

Excel

Rack

Device

Cable

Excel

Building

Review From The Start

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

Floor & Rack Diagrams

Inventory / Connection Lists

LAN/WAN/SAN Diagrams

Architecture Overviews

Automation

Current Method

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

Additional Material

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

https://www.facebook.com/MicrosoftVisio

www.squaremilesystems.com Visio Training / workshops Two day course 14 CECs

Free SMS Visio utilities Downloads and videos

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

Webinars Data center practices, Visio integration