Automating Visio Infrastructure Diagrams€¦ · Automating Visio Infrastructure Diagrams David...
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Automating Visio Infrastructure Diagrams David Cuthbertson Square Mile Systems Debby Binns Premier Computer Solutions
Transcript of Automating Visio Infrastructure Diagrams€¦ · Automating Visio Infrastructure Diagrams David...
Automating Visio Infrastructure Diagrams
David Cuthbertson Square Mile Systems
Debby Binns Premier Computer Solutions
Advanced Visio Automation Techniques
David Cuthbertson
Square Mile Systems Ltd
www.squaremilesystems.com
Agenda
13:45 Diagramming and Visio 2010
Gareth Arnold, Microsoft
14:15 Case Study- Creating Visio Service Maps from a CMDB
Anthony Brimacombe, Lloyds Banking Group
14:45 Quick Tips To make Visio Programming Easier
Debbie Binns, Premier
15:15 Break
15:30 Case Study – Automating Data Centre Diagrams
Dan Nunn, ICM Business Continuity
16:00 Advanced Visio Automation
David Cuthbertson, Square Mile/AssetGen
Square Mile Overview
• Develop AssetGen toolsets, training and
techniques for operational management of
complex IT infrastructure
• Focus areas
– Data center management
– Connectivity management
– Service mapping
– System change impact analysis
– Documentation techniques
– Infrastructure visualisation
• All technologies!
Fixed Infrastructure (Cabling, Power, Cabinets, Buildings)
Hardware Infrastructure Network, Servers, UPS, Storage, Other
Virtual Infrastructure Network, Servers, Storage, DBMS
Applications PC, server, mainframe, SOA
Services End user, infrastructure, supplier
Business Processes Departmental, Company
Information Resources
• Web sites
– www.squaremilesystems.com
– www.assetgen.com videos on “how to create visio”
– www.youtube.com search for “assetgen”
• Networking for IT Infrastructure
– www.linkedin.com
– www.datacenterprofessionals.net
• Third party
– www.brighttalk.com Online webcasts
– www.bcs-cmsg.org.uk BCS config mgmt focus group
– smsg.bcs.org BCS ITIL focus group
– www.itsmf.co.uk ITIL issues
– www.bicsi.org Cabling and data centres
Expectations
• Why do we want to automate Visio diagrams?
• What do we mean by automation?
What You Should Gain
• Understand more about Visio
• Reduce workload creating project/operational diagrams
• Reduce workload maintaining diagrams
• Reduce the number of maintained diagrams
• Improve quality and accuracy by automated updating
• Tips and tricks
• See examples of applying different automation methods
• Plus any issues / questions you may have
Visio 2010 Version Comparison
Data Automation & Publishing
Data Driven Diagrams
Sharing
Visio Resources
• Microsoft web site
• Visioguy www.visguy.com
• Books www.bvisual.net
• Linkedin group – Visio Enthusiasts
• Equipment manufacturer web sites
– Cisco
– HP, others www.visiocafe.com
• Stencils
– netZoom www.altimatech.com
Not all Diagrams Help!
Overview
• Using Visio manually
• Linking to spreadsheets / databases
• Navigating to more detail
• Understand the process of diagram creation
• Creating & maintaining Visio diagrams automatically
• Example project work flow
– Planning
– Producing project diagrams
– Updating operational systems
I Need An Infrastructure Diagram!
Requirement
Data
Sources
Diagram
Common Diagram Issues
• Using the same stencils
• Use of different shapes for a component
– Logical
– Physical
– Architecture
• Use of connectors
• Consistent and accurate shape data
• Maintaining hyperlinks
The Process of Drawing a Diagram
Purpose
Gather data
Transfer data
to diagram
Layout
Add extra
detail
Save
Send / publish
diagram
Define shapes
1.
8.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Where can we automate?
Shape Issues Affecting Automation
• Shape selection
• Shape positioning
• Shape linking
• Shape data definition
• Shape data update and maintenance
• Shape data display
• Shape hyperlinks
The Process of Updating a Diagram
Purpose
Gather data
Add / Delete shape
Connector, Data
Review layout
Add extra
detail
Save
Send / replace
diagram
Check diagram
for match
1.
8.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Where can we automate?
A Few Types of Diagrams
• Physical
• Path
• Logical
• System
• Architecture – single / multi-technology
• Process maps
• Service maps
Server Diagrams Claims
Processing
Payment Module
ACCOUNTS
Accounts Module
SVRWIN001
Accounts
Payable
Accounts
Receivable
PAYROLL
Sage Payroll
Payroll
SW-BHAM-
CORE1
SW-BHAM-
CORE2
SW-BHAM-01 SW-BHAM-03 SW-BHAM-05 SW-BHAM-02SW-BHAM-04SW-BHAM-06
UK_BIRM_UX01 UK_BIRM_UX02 UK_BIRM_UX09 UK_BIRM_UX04UK_BIRM_UX05 UK_BIRM_UX03 UK_BIRM_UX06 UK_BIRM_UX07 UK_BIRM_UX08 UK_BIRM_UX10
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UK_BIRMCC_PDU1
UK_BIRMCC_PDU2
PWR01-
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PWR01-
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PWR01-
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PWR01-06-
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PWR01-
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PWR01-05-
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PWR01-06-
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PWR01-07-
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UK_BIRM_UX05
UK_BIRM_UX06
UK_BIRM_UX07
UK_BIRM_UX08
PP01-02-01
RTR-BHAM-01
PWR01-02-A
PWR01-02-B
NTU-BHAM-01
NTU-TEST03
Floor Plan
Rack Position
Service impact
Power Supply
Network Connections
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H/W Build
Visio 2010 Automation Features
• Programmers toolkit
• Linking to External Data
• Shape Data
• Data graphics
• Hyperlinks to external data
• Publishing to Sharepoint server
A Few Issues With Data Linking
• Good for importing, bringing data into Visio
• Use data graphics to display appropriate data
• Requires good file management
• Multiple data sources / gaps/ overlaps cause problems
• Manual filtering and selection
The Process of Drawing a Diagram
Purpose
Gather data
Transfer data
to diagram
Layout
Add extra
detail
Save
Send / publish
diagram
Define shapes
1.
8.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Linking Data still requires
manual selection
Produces one diagram at
A time
AssetGen Approach
Purpose
Gather data
Transfer data
to diagram
Layout
Add extra
detail
Save
Send / publish
diagram
Define shapes
1.
8.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
a. Select and filter data
b. Add/update shapes
c. Create diagrams
d. Layout (where practical)
e. Enable refresh of existing diagrams
One Source – Multiple Views
© AssetGen Limited
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Manual Update
Location and position
Resource reservation for projects
Physical connectivity
Audits and manual data gathering
Impacts and dependencies
Adds, moves and changes
AssetGen
Visio
Visio
Excel
Visio
AssetGen Outputs
Capacity management
– space, power, connectivity
Inventory extracts
Custom reporting
Physical plans
Floor and rack diagrams
Topology diagrams
Networks, power, storage
System & Architecture Maps
ITIL services, applications
Change impact analysis
– impact, risk, auditing
Updates
Outputs
Updates
References
Word
Trusted sources Discovery systems
Monitoring tools
Service desk CMDB
Spreadsheets – risk, contracts
Recovery plans
Project handover
Excel VisiodB
AssetGen Products
© AssetGen Limited
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Fixed Infrastructure (Cabling, Power, Cabinets, Rooms, Buildings)
Hardware Infrastructure PCs, Network, Servers, UPS, Storage, Other
Virtual Infrastructure PCs, Network, Servers, Storage, DBMS
Applications PC, server, mainframe, SOA
Services End user, infrastructure, supplier
Business Processes Departmental, Company
Asset & Connectivity Management
Service Mapping
AssetGen Products
Fixed Infrastructure (Cabling, Power, Cabinets, Rooms, Buildings)
Hardware Infrastructure PCs, Network, Servers, UPS, Storage, Other
Virtual Infrastructure PCs, Network, Servers, Storage, DBMS
Applications PC, server, mainframe, SOA
Services End user, infrastructure, supplier
Business Processes Departmental, Company
AssetGen Connect Professional
AssetGen SysMap
Professional
SQL Server platform
Single or Multi-User?
Desktop Version
(evaluation available)
Multi-User Server Version
SysMap /
Connect
Professional
Web
Application
PC
MS SQL
Database
Visio
MS SQL
Database
SysMap /
Connect
Professional Visio
PC
Windows Server
PC
Web Browser
Example – CMDB Integration
User Interface
Enhanced CMDB Information
Service Desk (Remedy, SM7, Peregrine etc.)
Service Desk
CMDB
CI
Details
Parent/
Child
Impact
Incidents
Changes
etc
Offline CMDB copy
1. Visio
Service
Maps
2. Multi-
level
Impact
3. Multi-
CI
Impact
4. Excel
Batch
Query
5. External
Toolset
links
SysMap Web
Application
SysMap
Professional Visio
MS SQL
Database
Other mappings - flow, etc
AssetGen
SysMap
Examples of Visio Automation
• Floor plans
• Rack diagrams
• Network and other topology diagrams
• Service maps
• Data flow diagrams
• Architecture maps
• Path diagrams
Plus Capacity reporting
Audit trails
Workflow
AssetGen Connect Licencing Example
Desktop Server
Number of Users 1 Many
Up to 500 Devices
Up to 1000 Devices
Up to 2000 Devices
Unlimited no. of Devices
Single building
Campus – many buildings
Unlimited – many sites
Visio Automation Summary
1. A better understanding of standard Visio capabilities
2. Different types of automation to reduce manual tasks
3. Multiple diagrams can be produced and maintained
4. Gained an understanding of AssetGen technology
Automation can give
a. Increase in staff productivity – projects and operations
b. Confidence in diagram accuracy
c. A more strategic approach to infrastructure documentation
Next Steps
• Training Courses
– Visio for IT Professionals (2 days) 8/9th Nov (London)
– Visio automation in-house workshop (1 day)
• Web content
– Premier courses and consultancy
– Videos on AssetGen site
– Webcasts www.brighttalk.com
• Downloads / demo
– AssetGen evaluation version
– Online demo
Thank You For Attending
Please fill in the feedback form
Have a safe journey
