I am trying to finally get my homelab organized, and I need assistance visualizing my network. I am just wondering if there are tools out there that assist with this. I have tried the paint and gimp routes, and I find myself spending more time trying to make it look good and organized rather than actually mapping my network. Is there any utility out there that is purpose build just for visualizing network topology? Or am I better off with just graph paper, pencil and a straight edge?
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Are you looking for a Visio type program? Draw.io is a free alternative.
If you want something crawls your managed switch for LLDP or CDP info then maybe a monitoring system like LibreNMS has a map feature.
Yes! I can not recommend draw.io aka diagrams.net enough! (I still don’t understand why it has two names and which name is the current “correct” one)
It works both in the browser, or as a downloadable standalone application that works 100% offline.
My favourite feature is exporting PNG or PDF with the complete diagram XML embedded as metadata, which means they can be opened and edited again by draw.io
It’s very useful not only for networking, but all sorts of diagramming needs
The old name is draw.io with the self-hosted version keeping that name. The current name is diagrams.net hosted on their servers.
In the end, it’s all the same
My omada switches give me a basic topology, which gave me the notion that I might want to pre-plan plugging things in. I hear nothing but draw.io, so I guess I’ll have to check them out. thanks
I tried draw.io, but ended up liking LibreOffice Draw better for hand-drawing.
If you want to get a live map of the connections on your network you may want to check out netdisco.org or librenms.org. Both are open source network management tools that have mapping.
thank you for the suggestions. I have seen librenms pop up on my radar a few times, I guess I will have to check it out.
maybe cisco packet tracer or better look for an alternative that does not need an account
the software is made for emulationg networks and packet is annoying for even simulationg the powerbutton that have to be turned by EVERY SINGLE on connecting cables https://progsoft.net/de/software/cisco-packet-tracer.dia is new to me. I am about to jump from arch to debian on my main rig, so this might be a good option. thanks!
I’ve been diagramming/documenting my network at work using draw.io, it is a little clunky but it works well for me, has good features and preloaded art for different types of devices.
thanks! sounds like draw.io is what everyone uses
I have tried the paint and gimp routes,
😱
Man, MS WORD features block diagrams, full of shapes that might be connected to one another with adjustable lines and it will be far superior tool to either of these abominations…
There are also countless tools that might help you, that are either dedicated to this task, or simply useful enough to get the job done.
I use obsidian for my project notes, why did I not think of that. thanks!
It often takes a different pair of eyes to see the hidden potential. 😎
to be honest, I do not fully utilize ANY of obsidian’s features. time to re-read the docs.
Best I was able to find was lucid chart, worked great, but I’ll have to check out diagrams.net based on all these comments.
Draw.io is pretty amazing.
