SERVICES AND SUPPORT

In order to proficiently maintain and support a network it is vital to have accurate information on the equipment used, its location and connectivity. Without this no guarantees can be given (by anyone) on how quickly faults can be resolved. For example, inaccurate information can result in the wrong spares being supplied to replace faulty equipment or the right spares dispatched to the wrong location.

With networks constantly expanding and IT departments under pressure to do more with less resources, it is increasingly difficult for network professionals to find the time to track changes and keep information up to date. Even in the best-run organizations experience has shown that many clients still have difficulty providing such information readily and in an easy use format.
To address this issue and to provide clients with better safeguards Advanced CompuNet has put in place its Network Audit and Documentation Services. This has been specifically designed to furnish the information needed by both the client and Advanced CompuNet to ensure faults can be rectified first time and as quickly as possible, with the primary goal of reducing network downtime.
The major objective of the service is to gather and collate as much information as possible on the network equipment. In particular:

• What exactly is the equipment
• Where precisely is the equipment located

In the course of delivering this service Advanced CompuNet has built up considerable expertise in carrying out audits, and from the information gathered, producing high quality documentation. Advanced CompuNet has completed over 50 projects, and one of the few organizations able to professionally offer such a service.

Network Audit

The Network Audit Service generates information that is essential for the efficient maintenance and support of complex networks. It can also provide the basic inventory needed for asset management and control. The audit will review each item of network equipment under contract and provide a comprehensive register containing information such as: brief type description (e.g. switch, hub, router), manufacturer, model, type, connectivity (if marked) and location. Most of this will be generated from site surveys normally conducted shortly after contract placement.
One of the major benefits of this process is that it allows both network management staff and Advanced CompuNet personnel to familiarize themselves with the equipment configuration and its location - thereby helping to speed up the resolution of reported faults. The importance of knowing the hardware and software version levels cannot be over emphasized since this ensures that correct replacements are used when failures occur and ensuring that full operation is quickly restored.
The collection of software configurations can also be offered giving the client a secure and independent record of the equipment set up. If required, Advanced CompuNet will hold this information with the rest of the audit information. This ensures that the equipment can be restored to full operation in the event of catastrophic failures where such configurations are lost or destroyed. The audit information will be reviewed with the schedule of equipment on a regular basis and anomalies discussed with the client. As an option, Advanced CompuNet can record additional information on the register as specified by the client, e.g. equipment asset number and value. Example copies of network documentation and associated database information may be obtained on request.

Network Documentation

This service makes use of a PC based documentation application that combines both graphics and database facilities, thereby enabling all relevant information to be held together in one package.
The documentation produced provides a graphical representation (network map/diagram) of the network and includes necessary documented details required to support the equipment. This is made available to the client for use as a reference document. For example, this will allow network problems and changes to be clearly identified by the network management team and discussed with Advanced CompuNet if applicable. Advanced CompuNet Network Services will generate a network map of the client's supported network and make it available both for the client's and its own use. The software will provide a clear representation of the network in the form of a topology map, the equipment used and its connectivity. This will help in tracing problems and allow data flows to be better understood. In addition to depicting the network topology, the documentation package will provide a database detailing information about the network's equipment.