Managing network configurations

The system has built-in content assistance to guide you when setting up network routes. Based on the data entered in the network properties in the system, only relevant options are shown.   Notation Description > Network gear in this rack -> Racks in this room and/or all rooms : Port specification / Location separator (room/row/rack) # Fanout cable outlet number { Cable genome selector  

Network properties This section of the Properties dialog box, accessed by right-clicking a piece of network equipment, identifies network attributes associated with it. The information may vary based on the type of equipment. Network ports Type Provides information about the type of network port. The available options include pairs of a regular port and an uplink port. The regular port is selected for the piece of equipment that makes network available to other pieces of equipment, such as a switch. The uplink port is selected for the piece of equipment that requires network access. Description Provides user-defined information. Start Identifies the first port in the port range. Count Identifies the amount of ports in the port range. Speed Provides information about the network speed. Connections (available if the dialog box is accessed by right-clicking a component in the rack layout that has routes defined) Port Identifies the port number. Type Identifies the port type. Connected to Identifies the network route between the start and end items. Description Provides user-defined information. IP Address Identifies the IP Address.

Network configuration example Simplified example of a network setup with 3 network routes.These partial network routes were configured: Server A <-> Switch A Switch A <-> Switch B Server B <-> Switch B 102239737_360037995174.png Selected equipment in layout Network route in Network Management pane Route color in example Server B >Patch Panel 1:6->A/RackB/Patch Panel 2:6>Switch B:10 Blue Server A >Switch A:13 Orange Switch B >Patch Panel 2:1->A/RackC/Patch Panel 1:1>Server B Blue Switch B >Patch Panel 3:1->A/RackA/PatchPanel 4:1>Switch A:12 Green Switch A >Server A Orange Switch A >Patch Panel 4:2->A/RackB/PatchPanel 3:4>Switch B:22 Green Patch Panel 3 >Switch B:23 Green Patch Panel 3 ->A/RackA/Patch Panel 4:5>Switch A:7 Green 102239738_360037995174.png

Network Summary report You can generate a Network Summary report with an overview of network connections per rack in the selected rooms. The report lists layer 2/3 network gear (such as switches) and layer 1 network gear (patch panels) as well as a summary per rack of mapped and unmapped routes equipment that is connected to a network (such as a server or PDU). The Tag filter options are available if you have IT Advisor: Capacity. The generated report displays in the Report View. You can now use the Report View toolbar to navigate the report pages on the screen (arrow icons), or to print or export the report to a file in any of the available formats (Export icon, down arrow for selection of format). 102239694_360038495993.png

The graphical overview of network connections offers easy management and identification of your cables through naming and color-coding. Define color and usage for your cables in Configure Network Cable Types. See Configuring network cable types The Network Management table lists the configured network connections and allows you to set up new network routes between the configured equipment. The Rack Layout provides a graphical overview of the configured network connections and allows you to set up new network routes by clicking and dragging cables between equipment.  The network routes will be visible when you click a piece of equipment in the rack layout. Hover over the cables to see the path of the connection or click the cable to see the route data in the table view.  Every network management change is recorded in audit trail report. The Network Cable Browser lists cables for the loaded rooms. Cables in rooms that have not been opened will not be included or displayed in gray. You can multi-edit in this browser just as you can in the Equipment Browser, e.g. change cable type for all cables in a route by multi-selecting the rows in the browser, right-clicking and selecting Edit Multiple Items.   Graphical network overview in rack and Network Management ITA_919_network_management_1_360038495973.png Network Cable Browser ITA_919_cable_browser_360038495973.png

Updated February 2023   Universal Port   Can be connected to any port type OTHER_REGULAR/UPLINK   Copper Ports   Can only be connected to other copper ports   RJ45_REGULAR APC_LAN_REGULAR/UPLINK ARJ45_REGULAR/UPLINK COAX_REGULAR/UPLINK DAC_REGULAR/UPLINK GG45_REGULAR/UPLINK IP_KVM_REGULAR/UPLINK QSFP_DAC_REGULAR/UPLINK RJ11_REGULAR/UPLINK RS232_REGULAR/UPLINK SFP_DAC_REGULAR/UPLINK SFP_DAC_TWINAX_REGULAR/UPLINK SFP_LC_COPPER_REGULAR/UPLINK SFP_LR_COPPER_REGULAR/UPLINK SFP_RJ45_COPPER_REGULAR/UPLINK SFP_SC_COPPER_REGULAR/UPLINK SFP_SR_COPPER_REGULAR/UPLINK TERA_REGULAR/UPLINK   Fiber Ports   Can only be connected to other fiber ports   FIBER_REGULAR/UPLINK FIBER_E2000_APC8_REGULAR/UPLINK FIBER_E2000_APC8_UPLINK FIBER_FC_REGULAR/UPLINK FIBER_LC_OM4_REGULAR FIBER_LC_OS2_REGULAR FIBER_LC_REGULAR/UPLINK FIBER_MPO_MTP_REGULAR/UPLINK FIBER_MTRJ_REGULAR/UPLINK FIBER_SC_REGULAR/UPLINK FIBER_ST_REGULAR/UPLINK QSFP_REGULAR/UPLINK SFP_AOC_REGULAR/UPLINK SFP_BIDI_REGULAR/UPLINK SFP_LC_FIBER_REGULAR/UPLINK SFP_LR_FIBER_REGULAR/UPLINK SFP_SC_FIBER_REGULAR/UPLINK SFP_SR_FIBER_REGULAR/UPLINK

Before you model cable trays, you need to configure layers. See Configuring layers The cable tray drawing tool is available on the Network overlay in the IT Advisor desktop client version 9.2.3 and newer. The cable tray drawing tool is in the left toolbar. ITA_cable_tray_icon_4409287086737.png Click the padlock icon first to enable it. ITA_create_layers_4409287086737.png   Existing layers are on the right side of the room editor. Check or uncheck the boxes to enable or disable layers. Select a layer and then draw the cable trays. There is an option to show floor equipment or hide it for a clearer view.  ITA_create_layers_2_4409287086737.png   Drawing cable trays is similar to drawing walls. Select a cable tray genome. Right click the genome and select Set As Default. The green check icon will show you which genome is enabled.  ITA_create_layers_3_4409287086737.png Select the Physical settings for the cable tray genome. IT Advisor supports three types of cable trays: Perforated, Ladder, and Solid. Change the cable tray type to update the cable tray shape. You can also change the cable tray type after the cable tray is drawn on the room. GenomeSettings_4409287086737.png Once you select a layer and a cable tray genome, you can start drawing the cable tray. Select a starting point and move to a destination. Cable trays are built from small individually drawn segments that are snapped together to properly connect all segments. Segments can join at any angle and cross at any point. You'll see a blue circle when you move the mouse inside the cable tray shape to indicate possible connection points. You'll see a red circle when you move the mouse at the end of the segment. Once all the cable tray segments are drawn, go to Preferences for any segment to set a name for the entire cable tray. You'll use that name when you add new cables later. Drop trays You can model vertical elements of the cable tray system, or places where cables descend from the main tray. Select the main tray, click Add drop tray, and specify the height.   DropTrayHeight_4409287086737.png   Once you save drop tray, you'll see the new element on the main tray. DropTray_4409287086737.png   An existing drop tray can be moved inside the cable tray and adjusted. The size of the drop tray is automatically adjusted to the width of the tray; there is no option to change it. You can add only one drop tray in each location in the cable tray. The Add drop tray option is disabled when you click an existing drop tray. When a cable tray contains drop trays, you cannot change its position or move it since this will impact positions of drops and cables that are routed from them. Drop trays are available in the ITA desktop client version 9.3.0 and newer.   Caveats Modeling cable trays across multiple rooms is not supported.  Cable trays are shown in the 2D room model in the desktop client only, and are not supported in the web client at this time. To request a new cable tray genome, please submit a ticket.

Configure network port properties in Genomes You can configure network port properties for network equipment in Genomes. Go to Tools > Open Genome Library to open the Genomes pane. Select a piece of network equipment. Click the Network pane in the Properties section and perform the edits for the component in Genomes. Click Add or Edit. Select the type, port range (first port and the amount of ports in the range), and the network speed if relevant. Repeat the above two steps for all port ranges needed. For example, a switch could be configured like this: Type Start (First port in range) Count (Amount of ports) RJ45 1 16 RJ45 17 16 RJ45 33 16 Fiber Uplink 1 4 The configured properties will apply to all pieces of this equipment added to the layout subsequently. idea_icon_360037994674.png To change the properties for one specific component only rather than the product type in Genomes, right click the component in the layout. The same options are available but they will only apply to the one component. Update an existing port configuration You can update existing configurations of network port types in ITA. Select one or more ports from the network port table and click Change type.  Select the port Type and the supported Speed. Note: Editing the port type is only available for unconnected ports.   PortTypeConfiguration_360037994674.png    

The table view will be populated with network route data when you select a piece of equipment with configured network in the layout or Navigation. The table shows a row per port configuration. The table will be empty if the equipment has no network route configured or if the selection is not a piece of network equipment. You can type free text in the Description column for start item and end item, e.g. if a specific port is not working. The Route column will be empty until you create routes for the selected piece of equipment. To enable route editing, select a row in the table and double-click the Route field. Click the Edit route field and select from the available options. You can right-click a row in the table and select Show in Layout or Show in Navigation to highlight the end item in the rack layout or Navigation. You can add IP information to the equipment properties and use the Equipment Browser to filter and locate equipment with specific addresses assigned. You can also set the tool tip preferences to show the IP address when you hover over a piece of equipment in the rack layout. The system has built-in content assistance to guide you when setting up network routes. 123 Steps to... Configuring network routesYou can configure network routes in the Network Management pane for selected network equipment in the layout, for example between a server and a switch or a switch and a switch. A route is defined as a connection from a piece of equipment (communication endpoint, such as a server or layer 2/3 network gear, such as a switch) to the first piece of equipment that is a communication endpoint or layer 2/3 network gear. The system has built-in content assistance to guide you when setting up network routes. Select a piece of equipment with network configured in the layout, e.g. a server in the rack layout. In the Network Management pane, click the row with the port that you want to configure in the list. Place the cursor in the Route column and from the list, select a symbol, and press Enter. From the list, select the equipment that you want to connect to, and press Enter. Remember to enter the port number. Click the next item in the list and repeat steps 2 to 4 for all remaining items. You can configure as many routes as there are ports available. In the patch panel properties, you can configure patch panel back connections. Recommendation Configure the patch panel back connections prior to configuring the rest of the network route.

The rack view offers a visual representation of the cable route from e.g. server to switch. Select a piece of equipment with network properties in the floor layout and click 102237699_360037994654.png in the rack view toolbar to show connected and available ports. Connected ports are green and available ports are gray. Click a piece of network equipment to show existing connections or to create new ones. If for example a patch panel has connections to equipment outside the rack, the cables will be placed at the top of the rack. Right-click the cables and select Show Route to see all the connected equipment in rack view. This only applies to equipment in the same room. Use Ctrl-click to select, show and connect multiple items in rack view. Connections from room to room must be written in the table view.   Follow the instructions below to configure network connections. Make sure that the cable type matches the connection. ITA_919_new_connection_360037994654.png   123 Steps to... Creating network connections Click show network 102237671_360037994654.png. Use the connection tool 102237672_360037994654.png to click on the source then the destination of the network connection. Connected ports are green and if there are no available ports of the correct type, a small stop sign will appear next to the pointer. It is not possible to make connections between different port types (e.g. fiber to RJ45). Tip: To make a connection from for example front to rear, you can rotate the equipment in rack view using the top left rotate icon 102237713_360037994654.png. The New Network Connection dialog box opens automatically when you have chosen your destination. Select one of the defined cable types. The cable types available in the dialog box are the ones defined by you. See configuration of cable types here. Note: Make sure that your cable type matches the configuration. The client will not recognize it if your definition does not match the cables in the configuration. Select port. Select Multiple connections to make several connections at a time.   Tip: You can print the graphical network routes and bring them to your data center. Select the desired piece of equipment in floor layout. Click Export Layout as Image in the floor layout toolbar and select Rack layout > Current > Next > Image format > File > Finish.

You can define color and usage (description) for your cables to easier trace and visualize the routes of your network connections. You must have user rights to configure network cables. You configure users and user group rights in the web client on the Administration tab. Go to Tools > Configure Network Cable Types. Click Add and define a color and a description for your cable. These do not depend on the physical cable type in hand but if you want your graphical overview to resemble what you see in your data center, define your cables to resemble their physical appearance. Note: You must configure each existing cable individually as there is no link between the cable and the Configure Network Cable Types dialog box once the cable has been defined, saved and added to the room layout. So if you define color and usage for a fiber cable, this configuration will not affect the color and description of any fiber cables already in the room layout.   ITA_configure_network_cable_types_360037994634.jpg   Tip: You can edit cable properties and assign the cable type in the Genomes Library. When you create connections later, all the settings from the cable genome will be in place. See Configuring network cable genome properties

You can define your network cable genome including start and end connectors, fan out cable connector count, length, speed, and cable type. You must have user rights to configure network cables. You configure users and user group rights in the web client on the Administration tab. Open Genomes select the cable where you want to view or edit properties, and click Physical. ITA_919_edit_genome_properties_fanout_cables_4402433880593.png Click Start or End to select connector type. Note: There is no additional validation between port type and cable connector type. If you selected a fan out cable, check the Fan out cable option to define the number of connectors. ITA_919_edit_genome_properties_fanout_cables_2_4402433880593.png Set the speed, length, and cable type. See Configuring network cable types

A layer is an abstract concept that allows you to model equipment located under the floor, under the ceiling, or over racks in your data center. Before you model a cable tray, you must first create a layer in the Cable Tray Layers option in the room properties. LayersConfiguration_4409286864785.png   To set the height, you select a reference point, Floor to model equipment located under the floor, or Ceiling to model equipment located under the ceiling. You can also configure layers for locations. All the rooms inside a location inherit the layers defined for that location. You can create an unlimited number of layers. See Creating cable trays