In the last two weeks I discussed a number of suggestions for making the most of network diagrams using the Visio tool. After receiving a number of requests for more information and samples, I thought I would provide a few sample pictures and a couple sample files.
See Diagrams - Part 1
and
Diagrams - Part 2
If you use Visio, download and open this file then click the View menu button and the Layer Properties menu item. Next, put a check mark in the box to make the logical layer visible, and remove the check mark to make the physical layer invisible and then click "apply" and watch the diagram. Now make the physical layer visible and the logical layer invisible, click apply and watch the diagram.
If you don't have Visio, you can see the changes in two JPEG files.
Note that I made the labels part of the appropriate layer as well. For instance, in the physical diagram, the wires are labeled with port numbers, while in the logical diagram, the connections are labeled with IP address. This is probably the easy way to go for most people, but you should still consider the custom property method I explained two weeks ago.
I should also mention that you can download lots of great network-related stencils from Cisco. Most of these are generic, and attractive, so you can use them regardless of what routers and switches you have in your network.
But, as I mentioned 2 weeks ago, I like to create my own stencils with custom properties that suit me. So, I have also provided a fourth file called "custom stencils.vss" which you can open in Visio. To see how these work, create a blank document and click View, Custom Properties. Next, drag each of the icons from the stencil window onto your blank document one at a time and watch the fields change in the Custom Properties dialog box.
However, the fields I like probably won't be exactly what you need, so this is provided just as an example. Pick your own icons, and change the properties to suit your needs.
Tom Lancaster, CCIE# 8829 CNX# 1105, is a consultant with 15 years experience in the networking industry, and co-author of several books on networking, most recently, CCSPTM: Secure PIX and Secure VPN Study Guide published by Sybex.
