From: Andrew <hen...@gm...> - 2008-05-28 22:13:41
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Hi Alan, Thanks for the response. So far the reaction for 'read access' to the Switch(es) has been negative :-( - Am I right in thinking each Switch may require it's own Community-String/Password? A couple of the Network guys have SolarWinds, but it's quite tightly controlled/guarded (I can understand why). I did manage to get one Network guy to try a 'Mac to Switch-Port' view/report, on SolarWinds, but the results were far from complete?!? Either more time would have to be spent understanding how to get SolarWinds to provide the details, or -as I suspect- the Network has been set-up in such a fashion that prevents SolarWinds getting this type of info. I'd kinda hoped NetDisco could somehow circumnavigate Password/Strings, being that it runs via Linux. It appears I'd need a degree of Password/Strings regardless, which I don't have or see myself gaining easily. Catch 22 for me! It appears a manual method is my only alternative, but I'm reluctant to travel this path, as by the time I'd complete an audit sweep (huge task), the info collected would be out of date (Devices moved...) On another dead end note: I had a thought that Data-Packets somehow recorded their route over a network and that maybe I could learn from a Data-Packet what switch it had been through after leaving a Device, but this turned out to be wishful thinking :-( Phooey, back to the drawing board. Gloominess aside, I appreciate the help. Mogwai On 5/28/08, A.L...@lb... <A.L...@lb...> wrote: > > Hi, > > > I have a few questions, which I have not been too successful in finding > > answers for. > > > > 1. Is there a FAQ for NetDsico? > > not really - but google is handy and this mailing list > is archived and useful. the mailing list itself is a good resource. > > > 2. Considering I know almost zero about Linux/SQL, am I out of my depth > > thinking this may be a feasible (and free:-) option for a > > Desktop-Support-Guy (Me:-) to gather Mac to Switch-Port details? (I'm > > attempting to map our Network devices, so I can tell where a Device is > > Physically plugged in) > > from personal experience, yes. a little too deep for someone with > no or little Linux and SQL experience. however, there is a vmware > image available (see other email you received) and people are generous > with info and help on this list. the only other forms of tools > are either homemade scripts to do a similar task or certain > network testing kits (which only work if the network is very open) > > > 3. Would I need to know Passwords/Community-Strings (same difference?) > for > > the Switches NetDisco was going to interrogate? > > - I have little/no access to interrogate Switches at present, I do have > > -some- domain admin rights tho. > > unless theres no security at all, you WILL need some basic access > passwords and community strings for accessing the devices to query them > for basic info required. its mainly SNMP based - so just read only > SNMP community strings are required. It would really be good to talk > to your network admin folk - they should be able to rustle you up > your own read only community for each devices...and they may need to > add your system to the 'allowed to talk to admin interface' ACL > if theres security on the network. > > > 4. If NetDisco was set up on a system running Linux, how difficult would > it > > be to access it's SQL Database records from a Windows machine on the same > > network? > > very easy (from someone with SQL DB skills) - so long as the database > on the linux box was configured to allow remote access etc etc...and you > had a tool that could query the DB - theres also a myriad of web-based > tools for further database access - but netdisco comes with a web interface > that lets you do most forms of operations - eg which port is a MAC or > NetBIOS > or DNS name on? etc. once seen working you very rarely go back! ;-) > > > 5. The above in mind, would you have any alternative advice/suggestions > on > > where I should go, or what I should consider? > > some very expensive proprietary software such as OpenView or CiscoWorks > > alan > |