Here’s Why Most Network Engineers Still Use Visio/Spreadsheets
By Fred Koh - November 18, 2022If you’re stuck still using Visio, spreadsheets, or a combination of the two for your network documentation, you’re not alone. I talk to network engineers from a variety of organizations every day, and I’ve learned this: most network folks are stuck using Visio and spreadsheets for documentation…despite the abundance of tools on the market and…
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Buyer, Beware: DCIM Pricing Add-Ons
By Fred Koh - November 10, 2022Do you need data center infrastructure management (DCIM) software? Before you select a vendor and solution, proceed with caution: when it comes to what you need and the pricing structure you agree to, make sure your i’s are dotted. Why? DCIM software is priced differently…depending on the vendor. Afterall, most software vendors are motivated to…
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netTerrain User? How to Earn Points & Get Loot
By Adriana Lora - November 8, 2022At Graphical Networks, we’re fortunate to have a large community of proactive users who consistently contribute, across a variety of channels, to help make netTerrain what it is today and will be in the future. To thank our awesome users for their many contributions, we recently introduced our new Lootbox rewards program. It’s simple: do…
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Should You Buy Perpetual DCIM or Subscription DCIM?
By Fred Koh - November 2, 2022Do you need data center infrastructure management software (DCIM) to solve headaches in your data center? If so, read this. We make netTerrain — a data center and network documentation platform that documents everything from your data center rooms, rack capacity, assets, cable connections, and managing power — and we offer both annual subscription and…
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Need Data Center Diagrams? How to Start
By Fred Koh - October 28, 2022If you’re reading this, you probably need data center diagrams. If that’s the case, any of the following could apply to you: You’re the new data center manager…maybe you’re the network guy or gal that manages the network equipment for your organization…perhaps your company recently acquired a new entity and you don’t have any documentation…
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DCIM vs. BMS
By Jan Durnhofer - September 30, 2022At Graphical Networks, one of our main focus points is helping our customers optimize their Data Center Operations with an efficient Data Center Infrastructure (DCIM) system. Now, a Data Center can also be considered a building and, as such, the building contains many elements outside of the usual purview of a DCIM solution; these elements…
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Buying DCIM Software 101
By Fred Koh - September 26, 2022Have you been tasked by your boss to look for Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) software for your team? The reason could range from needing to replace free open source DCIM tools, migrate from an existing DCIM solution that’s not delivering ROI, or perhaps because you’ve finally outgrown your spreadsheets and Visio diagrams! and need…
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How Can I Import Data into Network Documentation Software?
By Fred Koh - September 23, 2022On a daily basis, I talk to many folks who need network documentation software. In many cases — certainly not all — these folks already have some kind of network documentation that they don’t want to lose. Whether it’s for network discovery and mapping, managing data center(s), or your fiber plant infrastructure (inside/outside plant), one…
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Need to Migrate Your Network Documentation to a Modern Solution?
By Jason Sherman - September 20, 2022So, you have a system with your network documentation in it. Great, right — but here’s the catch: the system was built on an AS400 mainframe and takes punch cards to update the data?! Are you wondering, ”how the heck do I go about migrating to something a bit newer?” Good news: it may not…
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netTerrain 9.5: Enhanced Monitoring & Usability, Mobile Audits & More
By Jan Durnhofer - September 12, 2022netTerrain 9.5’s release marks another giant leap toward documentation nirvana. In 9.5, you’ll see that we worked on the usual mix of new features, small fixes and improvements. Significantly improved diagram loading times, the newly-launched event console, and, in beta mode, IP address management (IPAM) are of particular note. We’ve made numerous improvements to the…
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Why DCIM Vendor Support Matters
By Jason Sherman - September 6, 2022Ah, customer support. You know the drill. You think, “Hey. I need to get some help. Who do I call? What is the process? Also, what is my support level? Am I in the blue support level or gold or purple? If I am blue can I call or is this chat only. Do I…
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Industry Spotlight: Fiber Mapping Software for University & College Campuses
By Fred Koh - August 30, 2022Managing a university or college’s IT infrastructure and fiber is no easy feat: with campus expansions, satellite locations, and an endless parade of new technologies placing demands on your fiber (Harvard has a wired forest, believe it or not — and University of Florida is piloting connected vehicle infrastructure). We make netTerrain: IT documentation software…
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