NetDoc® Cable Management Software Frequently Asked Questions
This archive contains NetDoc® Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) postings.
Product Questions
NetDoc is a Cable Management Software (CMS) package, also known as a complete Network Documentation software solution. This is a web-enabled, fully compliant solution designed to assist your staff better document all network related components. By using NetDoc, your network documentation is easily accessed in one secured location to benefit you today and well into the future. With little effort your documentation will quickly grow into a beneficial resource.
NetDoc ships with a full version of the well known and very successful LabelMark software package. By shipping the two packages together, we are forming a very unique partnership between both solutions making for a completely compliant package. Although NetDoc will not print labels directly, users can easily export the identifiers documented into LabelMark for quick printing at any time. This is done without the need of exporting or importing of different files, no additional inputting of data, and without human error possibility. As a final note, these two packages can be used individually or together allowing for complete flexibility as needed into today's work environment.
Who will benefit from using NetDoc?
Having good documentation is needed when discussing every aspect of business. A good source of documentation for the ever growing, changing, and complex networking environment is even more important than one could believe. Any individuals associated with the network in anyway could greatly benefit from having a tool like NetDoc. Having this tool, which also ships with LabelMark software makes for a package that will assist you today and well into the future. Without documentation, one can't properly plan for changes, for growth, for disaster recovery, best invest his monetary and human resources, or even properly manage all aspects of the network. One could do this but time would be wasted, expenses would rise, and a complete mess of cables would appear without the resource of documentation. A quick list of beneficiaries but not nearly limited to would be your individuals associated with telecommunications, IT, facilities, technicians, engineers, contractors, help desk, and so forth.
Is NetDoc difficult to install?
NetDoc is very simple to install and set-up. The NetDoc package will be installed on the end-users server with the assistance of our install guide and possible a support engineer on the phone as needed. Once installed, the client machines will be linked up through Internet Explorer to access the software and thus your documentation. As a supported client, you will have access to our support team who users can set an appointment with to be on the phone while preparing and installing the NetDoc solution. The LabelMark package is an easy install as well that individuals will do at the client machine by simply inserting the CD and following the on screen steps.
Do I need to install this on several client machines to access the documentation from multiple locations?
NetDoc is a web-enabled software package that will be installed, upgraded, and maintained on the server end. You will then link up your computers to this server to access the software and thus your documentation at any time from any location if your network configuration allows this. When Brady releases patches or upgrades, only the server will need to be updated with the files released.
What documentation limits will I have?
NetDoc currently runs on MS SQL Server 2000 and allows unlimited data population and also unlimited database creation. This allows for the ultimate flexibility while growing the level of documentation you have and also for multiple individuals to benefit from the NetDoc solution by utilizing it to best benefit their daily tasks. To date, Microsoft has not posted a limit for SQL Server.
Does Brady include support and product consultation with the purchase price?
The first three months of technical support will be included in the purchase price of the product. Our product training and annual support/maintenance are sold separately by the Brady Corporation.
NetDoc is purchased through Brady's normal distribution channels. Our end-users can purchase support/maintenance and product consultation directly from Brady. For any pricing or information please contact Brady for assistance.
Software answers:
What tester equipment works with NetDoc?
NetDoc can import data from any tester that is able to export data into a .CSV file format. We always recommend saving the original formatted results provided to you, but allow NetDoc to manage the data deemed important and needed for quick access. NetDoc import tool allows for data manipulation, which will allow for only the important information to be saved into the system and quickly recalled when needed.
What type of database does NetDoc run on?
NetDoc is currently supported on MS SQL Server 2000.
How is data entered into NetDoc?
Through our excel import tool, by utilizing our quick population tools, or manually. Brady also is able to provide resources to assist your staff in building the database with the documentation needed.
What type of attachments can NetDoc handle?
NetDoc handles all types of attachments. The user can create links to attachments like Visio drawings, AutoCAD drawings, digital camera photos, documents and a PDF for example. The attachments will have a link created within NetDoc where attached. The client machine must contain the proper software to view the attachment, which would be the software that the attachment came from. These attachments should have their original files stored safely on a secured server under a properly labeled directory for easy access if needed. Finally, these attachments can be added at every single level of you infrastructure and also down to each component level being documented.
Can I import/export data to/from NetDoc?
NetDoc ships with a developed excel import tool for your use. This tool is formatted and built to confirm to the NetDoc SQL database tables so an import will automatically populate the proper tables.
NetDoc databases are ODBC compliant. That means any other data source that is ODBC compliant can be linked to the NetDoc database. A professional database person will be needed to create these links if possible. This is not an automatic feature. Remember, you should always have a backup of your database just in case something unexpected occurs during any work performed on the database end.
What kind of storage and scalability does NetDoc have?
Users should refer to Microsoft to learn more about SQL Server restrictions. NetDoc will only be limited by hardware restrictions and the capability of the server being used.
Do you have to buy MS SQL Server separately?
Yes, or have it available within your organization. You should refer to the system requirements for NetDoc to verify that you have everything needed to run NetDoc.
What security features does NetDoc have?
NetDoc comes with three levels of security that can be created during installation or at any time. These levels include administrator, normal access and read only access. This product can also be used without security if you choose. Sometimes users have requested the product without security because of the network/server security already in place.
Can NetDoc be setup for read-only access?
Yes, this can become very important in controlling individuals who can add, delete, or change information to those who only need to read the information at any time. This is also a nice feature when utilizing external resources who need access to the networks information but you want complete control to make sure that nothing is changed within the database.
Does NetDoc define point-to-point connections?
Yes. NetDoc is able to track cable location, hardware connection, port availability, cross connects, and so much more. Internally, clients have seen a great benefit in documenting every aspect of the Horizontal run, hardware connection down to the port and which port on the switch it ends up on. NetDoc shows this information and all other information very easily within the markets leading user interface.
Can I import/export from my PBX or phone switch?
Yes, as long as the operating system on the PBX is ODBC compliant. Example, a person experienced with relational databases would need to do the import, as there is no automatic import. Another way is the utilization of our import excel tool as the middle component between your component and the NetDoc database.
Can I customize fields within NetDoc?
Yes. The Asset, Hardware, Horizontal, Backbone and Contacts attribute fields can be customized. These areas have up to 10 additional fields that can be added per type as needed. With this capability the user has complete control over what the need tracked beyond the already built in fields within NetDoc.
What format are NetDoc reports seen in?
All reporting performed within NetDoc will be created in HTML format.
Yes.
Can you email information from NetDoc?
Yes. By utilizing your email system and working with the HTML files developed through the NetDoc reporting feature.
Can NetDoc manage more than one company?
Yes. You can create separate databases for each company. A user can build unlimited databases for this purpose or any other purposes presented.
How much space will the NetDoc application take up on my client machine?
None, as NetDoc is a web-enabled application that will be installed and stored completed on your server.
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