Network Documentation Software

A modern network documentation solution records and tracks all hardware, software, and cables in the network infrastructure. All active and passive components, physical and logical connections, and dependencies are accurately recorded in a digital representation, which is the basis for analysis, reporting, planning, and troubleshooting.

Organizations need a foundation of complete and up-to-date network documentation to efficiently operate the complex hybrid network infrastructure. FNT’s professional software for network documentation not only records the complete network infrastructure, it also enables planning and management using advanced functionalities from analysis and visualization to process management. 

Highlights of FNT’s Network Documentation Software

FNT's network documentation software provides a comprehensive overview of the network infrastructure by recording all relevant information. This includes all active and passive components, logical and physical connections, and the dependencies between them. FNT stores this information in a centralized database and exposes it to all applications that need it.  

Numerous management functionalities make the data actionable, including planning, workflows, analytics, graphical visualization and GIS integration. It can also interface with other systems to ensure the data remains current after the initial recording.  

Integrated, Central Data Model

All network resource data is documented in a central data repository that covers physical end-to-end connections and assigns services to signal routes. It includes not just asset data, but also relationships and dependencies between them. Encompasses all technologies and layers, from the building level through physical, logical, and virtual, up to and including applications and services.

Unified Resource Repository

Networks cross the data center, IT and telecommunications domains, and so does FNT’s documentation. All data is maintained in a single repository to provide a holistic and consistent view of the network and eliminate data silos within an organization.

Extensive Interface Functionalities

Bi-directional data exchange via interfaces means the FNT network documentation can be used as a data source for other systems and applications, and it can also be enriched with information from them.

End-to-end Signal Tracing

Displays the route of a signal path across the entire cable infrastructure in both actual and planning views, based on the relevant geo-referenced nodes and routes in the GIS representation. Provides an overview of the infrastructure required to deliver a service, and which components can affect the service. Helps to minimize service disruption by facilitating re-routing of connections and services and speeding up impact analysis, fault localization and resolution when there’s an outage.

End-to-end Signal Tracing

Continuous signal tracing across the entire cable infrastructure in both actual and planning views, based on the relevant geo-referenced nodes and routes in the GIS representation.

Advanced Management Functionalities

Numerous functionalities in the software bring the documentation to life and make it easier to efficiently manage the network, including: impact analysis, redundancy planning and analysis, maintenance planning, fault analysis and repair, and auto-routing new connections.

Geo-Referenced Representation of Networks

FNT GeoMaps is an optional feature that provides geo-referenced visualization of the network infrastructure to enhance analysis of the as-is state and planning changes. It’s a dedicated, task-specific graphical and schematic application that makes it possible to efficiently execute activities and tasks relating to ducts, duct bundles, splice enclosures, cassettes and splice plans, distributor assignment, and cable and fiber details, as well as simplify managing assets, equipment, and components.

WAN Connections

Document connections between headquarters, data center locations and branch offices, including provider and contract information.

System-based Plausibility Checks

Ensure the validity of the combination of cable and connector types and the technology-dependent maximum cable lengths to ensure high planning and documentation quality.

Advantages of FNT’s Network Documentation Software

Comprehensive overview

A single system of record for the entire network infrastructure, from the physical network to services. All data is stored in an integrated data model that exposes it to planning processes and makes it available for analysis and reporting. Gain deeper insights by graphically visualizing individual components and the relationships between them.

Reduce operating costs

Operate more efficiently with planning and work order management functions, an underlying workflow engine, and asset and configuration data all in one solution.

Accelerate planning

Comprehensive and sophisticated planning features include graphical georeferenced representations of networks, signal tracing, auto-routing, and integrated workflow functionalities.

Would you like to see how our solution for network documentation works?

FAQ: Network Documentation

What is network documentation?

Network documentation is a term that describes the complete recording of your network infrastructure, which includes its complex structure, or network design. That means all active network components (such as routers and switches) and all passive network components (such as cables and patch panels) are documented. Network documentation can refer to both local area networks (LAN) and wide area networks (WAN), which are data and telecommunications networks.

Network Documentation Software - Why is network documentation important?

Companies document their networks because it’s the only way to deal with the increasingly complex nature of network infrastructures in the digital world. They need to keep track of the infrastructure and know exactly what the complex relationships and dependencies are to resolve faults faster, make better decisions and operate the network more efficiently overall. Accurate as is documentation of the network is essential.

If you’re using anything less than a professional documentation software, you are at a disadvantage. Excel spreadsheets, homegrown applications and other software not suited for the digitally transforming infrastructures contain outdated information, are not user friendly, and lack important functionalities such as graphical visualization and planning features that improve transparency into the network. Professional network documentation software, on the other hand, reliably records all relevant components and uses interfaces with other systems to ensure that the data remains current after the initial recording. You gain more efficiency, security, plannability, and reliable documentation quality.

In addition to presenting and making information usable, network documentation, like IT documentation, forms an important basis for implementing other processes. These include IT asset management, configuration management, IT infrastructure management, cable management, service catalog management and IT automation in your own company.

Documentation of the network: Security even in the case of technical breakdowns and network failures

In complex networks, failures and disruptions can occur - despite all preventive measures. Research shows that such downtimes usually occur more than 50 times a year, and that 10% are based on inadequate documentation.

Complete network documentation with a comprehensive documentation system can significantly reduce these downtimes as well as the associated troubleshooting. With proper documentation software, you can easily and clearly document all network cabling. This information enables you to find and fix network problems faster. All network components can be automatically recorded via connected auto-discovery systems. The representation of all connections and devices forms the basis for cost-saving planning, faster troubleshooting, and smooth operation.

Efficient management through network documentation tools

Comprehensive network documentation with the right tool or software provides the solid information base needed to make important decisions, especially about increasing efficiency. By having an overview of your entire network with all network data, you can manage all activities and processes of your devices and connections much more efficiently and with improved planning capability.

Who needs network documentation?

Every company that has a larger network infrastructure should have complete network documentation. How best to document specific components depends on the unique scenario. We recommend a consultation with our software experts to scope your needs. Feel free to contact us!

Why choose FNT's network documentation software?

FNT's software solution provides a central platform for network documentation. Use it to gain complete transparency into your network infrastructure - from active and passive components, physical and logical connections and dependencies to services. With our powerful software for network documentation, you have a secure foundation for further projects around the network infrastructure and ensure the optimal overview of your network environment.  

Our powerful software solutions and products are used by more than 500 companies globally. With our many years of experience working closely with our customers, we can offer solutions tailored specifically to your needs. You’ll be able to manage your services, configurations, and infrastructure holistically, keep network disruptions to a minimum, and costs down.

Are you ready to make the move to professional network documentation? Our documentation experts are happy to show you what our software can do for you. Contact us and request a free demo.

Further Downloads

Would you like to know more about Network Documentation? Then you might be interested in the following:

Partner Solution Paper

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From Zero to Hero in 6 Months: The Incremental Approach to End-to-End Network Automation

Together with our Partner Inmanta, we developed an incremental approach for end-to-end network automation without compromising on costs, timelines, and operational efficiency. Using this incremental approach to automation, CSPs are able to bring value to their customers much sooner and reap the real benefits from automation within 6 months. Read all about it in our brand new Partner Solution Paper.

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The Sustainable Infrastructure
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Actions data center and network operators can take today for a more environmental-friendly tomorrow

Businesses concerned about sustainability are taking stock of their current situation, identifying areas to target for improvement, and formulating plans for how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. There are many strategies that can be used, and not all of them are obvious. This paper is an enlightening look at a number of different actions businesses can take to minimize the impact they are having on the environment.

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Worst Practices from the real world of IT Infrastructure Management

IT managers were surprised just how much power the air conditioning system was using – shortly afterwards, the data center was on fire; a server rack ran for years without a network connection and the IT documentation consisted of needles and thread. Those aren’t horror stories from a movie script, they actually happened. We’ve put together some unbelievable, amusing, and instructional case studies that we’ve been “fortunate” enough to encounter ourselves.

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The Future of Cable Management
White Paper - The Future of Cable Management
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Advanced Methods for Success in the Digital Economy

The world is becoming more digital: network infrastructures are constantly growing and their complexity is increasing. The IoT and Industry 4.0 brings billions of new connected devices. At the same time, security and availability requirements are increasing. One thing is clear: managing network operation and expansion efficiently in the future will require an inside view of the infrastructure. Learn more in our white paper!

White Paper
FNT Command Platform and StableNet
White Paper - FNT Command Platform and StableNet
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The Holistic Network Management Solution

Companies are faced with increasing data volumes rapidly growing networking. As a result, the digital infrastructure is becoming increasingly complex. Not only is the complexity of the network infrastructure is growing, but so are the demands placed on it. Ensuring fault-free functioning is more important than ever. Failures of individual devices or services can quickly cause serious problems and high costs. For this reason, keeping track of the complex IT, network and device infrastructure is key. In this white paper, you will learn from two real-life examples how companies can achieve holistic network management through the combined use of the FNT Command Platform and Stable-Net.

Success Story
Fraport
Success Story - Fraport AG relies on the network documentation software from FNT.
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A major international airport places particularly high demands on network infrastructure and solutions for its management. Not only are IT operations safety critical, but pressure of time and pressure to succeed are enormous. Therefore, Fraport AG, operator of Frankfurt/Main airport, relies on FNT Command for the management of cables, cable trays and similar. “FNT Command is the central memory of our communications infrastructure”, says Klaus Schultz-Fademrecht, Senior Manager Networks at Fraport AG.

Success Story
SBB
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Telecommunications Network and Cable Infrastructure in a Single System

Swiss rail company Schweizerische Bundesbahnen AG (SBB) is proof that tradition and state-of-the-art technology can go hand in hand, as evidenced by their cutting-edge railway infrastructure that includes a telecommunications network. When their existing cable management system reached its end of life, SBB searched for a new solution. An important requirement was that this solution could be integrated into the existing OSS environment and linked to surrounding systems via interfaces. FNT delivered on all these requirements, and then some.


FNT Software Americas
Contact: Justin Menoche

FNT Software APAC
Contact: Prislyn Peck

FNT Software Europe
Contact: Claudio David