Network Diagrams

Creating network diagrams (topologies) is a crucial skill any networking professional must have regardless of years experience.  In order to create effective network diagrams, you will want to utilize tools that allow you to create topologies with ease. One of the best software packages currently on the market that can help you create an effective diagram is Microsoft Visio. This software is helpful in detailing the graphic representation of the design and what has to be conveyed through the visuals.  While I won’t go through ever step here, I will provide you newcomers with a general overview of the process.   In order to draw an effective diagram of  your network, you should divide the task into various steps and plan out a rough sketch of your diagram ahead of time.

How to Create Network Diagrams with Microsoft Visio

In order to use this software and draw a network diagram, you do not have to be an expert. All you need to do is to draw the layout using the various components  available to you so that the drawing comes out as informative and professional, which Visio will help you to do.

You can use the network stencils available with Microsoft Visio. In order to do so, you need to click on View>Shapes Window. This will display various stencils and you can choose any of them based on your requirements and preferences. Any one that you choose will have the variety of supporting network components, and you can drag and drop them on the work sheet as needed. The cables can be represented with the help of thin lines or lightning bolts for WAN connections (simply search lightning bolt or wan in the shape search of Visio). You must take extra care to align the network components such as routers and switches so that the viewers are able to get the information they need clearly.

A drawing is incomplete without labels. Each and every component specified in the diagram must be labeled with an appropriate name, IP, and so on. You can perform this with the help of a standard text box found in the shapes search section of Visio.

The end result will produce a nice looking diagram like this one:

For more information on network diagrams along with many more examples, please take a look at our CCNA study guides section.