Network map creation software?

davids355 · Mar 28, 2015, 10:20 AM

I have started to draw up network maps for the network environments that I am running.

At the moment I have been using pen and paper but I wondered if anyone could recommend some software on an online service that would allow me to make a digital map?

I have a few networks all consisting of a physical machine, virtual pfsense, a couple of VMs and 1-2 routed subnets and a few private subnets.

I am still learning about routing and about pfsense so I don't want anything too complicated, but rather something that allows me to make a simple network map that helps me to understand everything further.

marvosa · Mar 28, 2015, 3:39 PM

If I had to guess, I would think most people use Visio, but I am also curious as to what others are using.

antillie · Mar 28, 2015, 4:13 PM

Visio is the fist thing that comes to mind for me as well.

Supermule · Mar 28, 2015, 4:18 PM

I use Visio 2013 :)

BBcan177 · Mar 28, 2015, 4:23 PM

You can also use Libre Draw… and its free and not MS BS!! ;)

Mar 29, 2015, 10:29 PM

I think Dia is what your looking for:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/dia-installer/

Mar 30, 2015, 11:00 AM

Commercial:
MS Visio (Windows)
SmartDraw

Freeware:
Dia (Windows, Linux)
LuidChart (Online)

Free for private usage & commercial for business:
yEd Graph Editor (Windows, Linux, MacOS)

davids355 · Mar 30, 2015, 8:30 AM

Thanks guys for all of the options!
I have tried a few but I like the look of Lucidchart.

I have drawn my map on paper so going to try and put it into electronic format later today.

johnpoz · Mar 30, 2015, 12:05 PM

don't forget http://www.gliffy.com/ for online stuff as well.

davids355 · Mar 30, 2015, 12:15 PM

Yes Gliffy is a really good one I have used that in the past.

jimp · Mar 30, 2015, 6:51 PM

+1 to Gliffy and Dia

Visio is nice, but it's expensive/heavy and of course Microsoft-based and all that implies.

Google Drawings is supposed to support network digrams but I've not tried it.

Derelict · Mar 30, 2015, 7:15 PM

I use OmniGraffle.

jimp · Jun 29, 2015, 12:39 PM

A little update since I stumbled upon something good recently:

Using LibreOffice Draw and the VRT Network Equipment shape set is great. The shapes are open source, available as a LibreOffice extension, and they have a decent license which includes an exception from the attribution clause for their intended use (meaning you don't have to put their name/link on all your diagrams)

My main nitpick is that connector placement/adjustment in LibreOffice Draw isn't as good as Visio, but things can still be tweaked into acceptable places.