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Network Design Tool
trycatchthis
Member
in General
Many of us have a home lab with all kinds of Hardware and IoT devices.
Phones, Computers, Laptops, Light Bulbs, Windows, Doors, Routers, Managed Switches, Access Points etc...
What is the best free or cheap app that you can use to design a network allocating all the ip addresses via DHCP reservation.
Features I might like are a pre-made database of devices that states their default ip and configuration for when you factory reset it (this isn't necessary though).
Comments
Just use DHCP reservations in your router and copy paste into a spreadsheet after its done. You don't want to overcomplicate your home DHCP server.
Also, exporting/backup router settings oftentimes in plaintext for easy copy and paste.
What I really need, is an app that shows the rack, the ports they're plugged into, equipment, warranty status, locations, etc.
https://www.racktables.org
Don't you dear tell me what not to over complicate and take all the fun out of it.
(While I was writing this post I knew someone would say use excel, where's the fun in that)
If you're looking for "fun" in documenting your setup, you're doing it wrong.
Might be a little overkill for your use case, but have a look at Netbox
https://github.com/netbox-community/netbox
cisco packet tracer?
This looks like the answer. Complete overkill for my situation, i love it.
This is so beautifully designed but is way overkill for me. Still a great project!
You can also check out NAV: https://nav.uninett.no/
https://github.com/Uninett/nav
Nice, but overkill!
If it's a hobby for the purpose of learning, by definition, nothing can be overkill
That's like silcencing a teacher for overlearning his students
I just clear and got the informative answer through the community answers.
I use a simple txt file for DHCPv4 reservations.
First column is last octet of IPv4 address.
Second column is hostname.
Actual configuration is based on MAC address and stored in the router only.
IPv6 assignment is automatic via SLAAC.
DHCPv6 is disabled.
For every machine, there's also another txt file detailing how it's installed etc, so that I can reference when I need to reinstall the machine or do a similar setup on another machine.
I have a Google Sheet containing purchase date and serial numbers etc.
If the house burns down, this can help with insurance claim.