Other than the crucial ability to offer a simple, visual way of pinpointing possible problems, network diagrams can provide a range of other benefits to your organization:
PLANNING NETWORK UPDATES
Whenever you need to make a change on a network, you can refer back to your network diagram. This is very useful in a number of scenarios, such as when you need to add more devices to your network, when you are trying to determine where you have port space availability, and when you are trying to figure out how a device will connect to the internet. Anytime you need to make a modification, however small, referring back to your network diagram can give you critical insight and help inform your decisions.
TRACKING PCI COMPLIANCE
If you collect credit card information from customers, it is crucial that you have proper firewalls and access control measures established to help keep this sensitive data secure. It is also important that you follow the requirements for physical security. With the right network topology tool, you can create network diagrams that help you prove and maintain compliance by meeting criteria outlined in PCI compliance standards.
CREATING NETWORK DOCUMENTATION
Network diagrams are a crucial piece of documentation that every department should have access to. This documentation helps ensure everyone is on the same page regarding the current state of the network and any upcoming alterations. Network documentation can assist with network troubleshooting, responding to audits, and conducting informed and comprehensive security reviews.
ONBOARDING
It is essential for everyone in your team to understand how the network functions and how all the components connect to each other. Network diagrams help you bring new IT engineers up to speed quickly and easily by providing them a visual overview of the network. With access to comprehensive network documentation, onboarding new members of the IT department becomes much simpler and gives them a clear point of reference as they’re learning the ropes.
PROVIDE REMOTE ASSISTANCE
If you need to provide assistance from a distance, up-to-date network diagrams can help your IT team provide remote support in the event of network issues. Network diagrams can also be used as a floorplan, allowing you to map out where physical equipment is located so your technicians can find it quickly in the event of a problem. This ensures that your incident response teams understand how customer offices are set up without needing to be physically present.
Network topology maps with SolarWinds N‑central
N‑able® N‑central® is a highly versatile all-in-one remote monitoring and management solution that features powerful network mapping software. N‑central offers a range of capabilities designed to help MSPs gain visibility into their network and their customers’ networks from a single dashboard.
The network topology mapping capabilities provided by N‑central make it possible to automatically detect new devices and any changes made to network topology. The tool also schedules regular network scans to help ensure your map is an accurate visual representation of the network at all times. Moreover, being able to see how your network is laid out and connected helps your technicians rapidly identify where network issues are located, which results in easier troubleshooting, quicker resolution, and reduced downtime. The improved network visibility provided by this solution also makes onboarding easier, eliminating the need to make a trip to a customer site and saving you the effort of manually taking inventory of devices.
Beyond network topology mapping, N‑central is a user-friendly and dynamic solution that provides a range of other capabilities designed to make MSP life easier. These include:
- Remote monitoring
- Patch management
- Automation management
- Security management
- Remote access
- Endpoint detection and response
If you would like to try network topology mapping with N‑central, a 30-day free trial is available.