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