Documenting the configuration of your network and the set up of its components
gives you a strong base from which maintain, upgrade and fix it.
Unless there is access to a great deal of information about each component of a
network, it is almost impossible to maintain it.
- If you don't know which directory an application is in, how can you upgrade it?
- If you don't know what the address settings are for the network interface card
(NIC) how can you configure the new network driver?
- If you don't know which make and model of NIC the computer has, how can you
know what driver to use, let alone how to configure it?
- If you don't know where the network outlets are and what their numbers are, how
can you move or add equipment?
This information has to be known in order for there to be any maintenance of the
system. It can either be done on an ongoing, systematic basis, or else be done in a
panic at the last minute. One way or the other, you have to write down the
information before you can make any plans, purchase any equipment, or implement
any fixes or changes. Having it in your head is not enough.
Documenting a system is not a one-time affair. The network keeps changing and it
is important to keep track of its current status. Use FITS Change Management to
ensure that all ICT infrastructure changes you make minimise the possibility of
introducing additional incidents and problems. Change Management will also help
you keep your ICT equipment records up to date in your configuration-management
database.
If you do it right, duplicate it and document it, there is every reason to expect a
reasonably well running and maintainable network. Even if you don't do it right or
duplicate it, you have a good chance of ultimate success as long as you document
what you are doing. The more documenting you do, the more reliable and
maintainable your network becomes. The less documenting you do, the less
reliable and maintainable your network becomes.
So what do I do?
- Collect together in one safe place all manufacturers’ manuals and instructions
that came with the equipment. Cross-reference each document to the
equipment to which it relates.
- Create physical topology and logical topology maps of the network set up.
- Manage any ICT infrastructure changes to the network components, layout or
set up (see Change Management).
