Buying DCIM? If You Overlook This, You’ll End Up Stuck
By Jan Durnhofer - March 15, 2016In this 3rd part of our 8 part blog series, we’ll explore the process of creating an entire Data Center hierarchy – everything from a world level map down to sites, Data Center buildings, floors, racks, devices and ports. Though you may not pay much attention to hierarchies when you’re first on the market for…
Learn MorenetTerrain’s New GIS Software for Outside Plant
By Hannah Ash - March 11, 2016netTerrain’s New Outside Plant Solution (OSP) Raises the Bar for Web-based Data Visualization Graphical Networks to showcase netTerrain 6.6, with GIS Software, at the Las Vegas AFCOM Data Center World this month March 3rd, 2016 GAITHERSBURG, MD — At AFCOM’s Data Center World Global Conference in Las Vegas later this month, attendees will be able…
Learn MoreWhy DCIM 3D Views Might Be Snake Oil
By Fred Koh - February 24, 2016A post on another blog got us thinking about our days as part of the netViz team and how we still get lots of 3D requests for netTerrain (which does not support 3D for specific reasons we will go over here). While netViz supported 3D, we found it problematic for most applications. Sure, those canned 3D…
Learn MoreDefine a DCIM Custom Object…in 60 Seconds
By Jan Durnhofer - November 19, 2015Almost every DCIM solution comes with standard objects such as model floors, racks, devices or power & cooling elements; many solutions will probably offer some virtual equipment, circuits and cables. There are even some vendors who may model less common things – such as panels or doors – but inevitably, you will need something modeled…
Learn MoreNetwork Documentation: Visualizing Devices in Multiple Views
By Jason Sherman - November 9, 2015Here’s another post in our series – Adventures in Network Documentation. Wouldn’t it be easy if all of your stakeholders only needed to see the same view of your networks? It would also be great if we all had five day weekends and free ice cream for all…dream on, right? The reality is that, in…
Learn MoreThe #1 Reason Your DCIM Tool May Not Deliver
By Jan Durnhofer - October 26, 2015Extra, extra! DCIM vendors recently discovered something earth-shattering: customers just need a tool that is easy to use and flexible so that it can adjust to a set of specific problems in their Data Center… Further, it seems that customers have been mostly unfazed by all the psychobabble, acronym changes and other gimmicks that DCIM vendors have been…
Learn MoreIf Only DCIM Vendors Had Tinder Accounts
By Hannah Ash - October 19, 2015Considering purchasing DCIM software for your organization? If so, you’ve probably identified which pain points you need the software to solve, but you may not have given as much thought to the vendor with whom you will be working. Data center infrastructure management software is an investment, and just as you wouldn’t buy a car…
Learn MoreStop Throwing Hail Mary Passes & Just Document the Network
By Jason Sherman - October 15, 2015Ah, network documentation: one of the most tedious tasks in IT. When you have to start from square one, it’s even more tedious. It’s also incredibly important. Proper network documentation helps you troubleshoot problems faster, gets new employees up to speed and saves time (and money) dealing with contractors and advisors. In short, it’s worth it…
Learn MoreGot Zombie Devices? Don’t Call Ghostbusters…
By Jason Sherman - October 5, 2015Our last blog was Zombie Cables focusing on DCIM software… but what about zombie devices? Now, those things can be a real drain: on your electric bill, on security, on documentation and on troubleshooting problems. It’s the stuff no one really knows about. You’ve probably had a conversation like this before: “Hey Bill ,what is that…
Learn MoreKill Those Zombie Cables Haunting Your Data Center
By Jan Durnhofer - September 24, 2015It’s been a few weeks since we posted our last DCIM blog (a 4-part series on choosing a DCIM software). What have we been up to? We were rolling out the newest version of our DCIM and network documentation software netTerrain. As part of this release, we added some outstanding features, including a few that…
Learn MoreGN Newsletter #6: netTerrain 6.5 Released
By Hannah Ash - September 14, 2015We’re well into 2015 by now, and it’s been a great year for Graphical Networks. We are pleased to announce that the newest version of netTerrain has been released:details are below. We are also planning to make an appearance at the upcoming Data Center World – it’s taking place right on our stomping grounds here…
Learn MoreDoes Your Network Have a Security Blanket?
By Jason Sherman - September 4, 2015Sometimes, after a long day, I just need to curl up with a nice blanket on a cold and stormy night to help feel extra secure. Of course, my pit bull helps, as well. Occasionally, whether it’s an actual blanket or something else, we all need that feeling of comfort. Do I ever wake up…
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