Switches

Switch Hardware in the “Hardware” Segment

The Switch Hardware section within the “Hardware” segment in Docusnap365 captures all physical components of switches. Switches are essential to network infrastructure, enabling communication between devices. While the “Hardware” segment documents physical details, the logical network structure, including neighborhood information, is represented in the “Networks” segment.

Inventory and Identification of Switches

Switch inventory is conducted via SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). Based on criteria like supported MIBs, device properties, and specific features, Docusnap365 automatically identifies whether a device is a switch.

Note: Automatic detection is highly reliable but not foolproof. In rare cases, devices may be misclassified. Manual verification and corrections are possible in such instances.

Documented Information in the Switch Hardware Section

• Device Information

  • Name: System-assigned name of the switch.
  • Description: Model, firmware version, and additional device information.
  • Serial Number: Unique hardware identifier for maintenance and support.
  • Device Class: Classified as “Switch.”
  • Contact and Location: Details about responsible personnel and device location.

• Network Information

  • IPv4 Address: The switch’s IP address for network management.
  • MAC Address: Unique hardware address of the switch.
  • Uptime: Duration the switch has been operational.

• Interfaces (Ports)

  • Number of Ports: Total number of physical network connections.
  • Detailed Port Information:
    • Port status (active/inactive)
    • Speed (e.g., 1 Gbit/s, 10 Gbit/s)
    • Assigned VLANs

• Protocol Information

  • Supported network protocols (e.g., SNMP, LLDP) and configurations.

Dependencies Center: Relationships in the “Networks” Segment

The physical characteristics of switches are closely linked to logical network functions. These connections are visualized in the Dependencies Center in Docusnap365:

• Networks
  Logical relationships such as neighboring switches, connected devices, or VLAN assignments are represented in the “Networks” segment, showing which devices or switches are connected via specific ports.

Use Cases for Documentation

• Network Management
  The clear separation of physical (“Hardware” segment) and logical (“Networks” segment) documentation provides a comprehensive overview of the network infrastructure.
• Planning and Expansion
  Available ports and existing connections can be used for network optimization or expansion.