Network & IT
Place 50+ IT device types, capture the full patch/port mapping, run integrity checks, and export six reports plus CSV.
The Network & IT engine maps your infrastructure and generates the paperwork. See the feature overview; this is the how-to.
Add the engine
Add the Network & IT engine and set the region — it sets the cabling standard and units on every report header:
| Region | Standard | Units |
|---|---|---|
| UK / EU | ISO/IEC 11801 | Metric |
| US | ANSI/TIA-568 | Imperial |
| AU | AS/NZS 3080 | Metric |
Device catalogue
Place kit from six rail categories (over 50 device types):
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Network hardware | Managed & unmanaged switch, router, firewall, patch panel, wireless AP, media converter, PoE injector, UPS, NAS, server, rack |
| Endpoints | PC, laptop, dock, single/dual monitor, monitor arm, thin client, all-in-one, KVM, webcam, headset, desk/conference phone |
| Connectivity | Wall port (single/double), floor box, RJ45 outlet |
| Peripherals | Network printer, MFP/copier, label printer, scanner, badge reader, intercom, signage, projector, interactive whiteboard |
| Power | Floor socket, double socket, PDU, dado trunking, comms cabinet, server-room A/C |
| Comms / AV | Speakers, ceiling mic, room-booking panel, video bar |
Wall faceplates auto-snap to the nearest wall within 30 cm (and drop the link if dragged more than 30 cm off); floor boxes stay free.
Auto-labelling
Every device is labelled on placement:
- Most kit uses a per-type prefix that increments across the plan —
PC-01,SW-01(managed and unmanaged switches shareSW). - Outlets are room-aware: each room is lettered (A, B, C…) and outlets are numbered within it —
A-01,A-02,B-01. An outlet outside every room becomesOUT-01.
Capturing the patch mapping
Select an outlet to record its structured-cabling path:
- Patch-panel port
- Switch and switch port
- VLAN (id and name)
- Patch-lead colour
Then connect endpoints — each to an outlet, or directly to a switch port for comms-room kit. Switches and patch panels have an editable port count (default 24).
Cable runs and racks
- Draw cable runs with the Cable-run tool — Cat5e/6/6a, fibre, trunking or tray polylines, with a length read-out.
- Give rack-mountable kit a parent rack and U-position; give a rack its U-height. These drive the rack-elevation report.
Integrity checks
The engine flags issues in the bottom bar and editor, worst first:
- A switch port double-booked by two devices.
- A switch over capacity (more kit than ports).
- An outlet with no patch-panel port.
- An endpoint with no uplink.
- A patched outlet with no VLAN.
- Missing site or installer details.
Colour-by & link overlay
Colour devices by category, VLAN or switch, and toggle the logical link overlay (outlet → switch, endpoint → switch) with the eye chip.
Reports & CSV export
Export a multi-page PDF (A4 or US Letter portrait) with six reports:
- Device inventory — label, type, category, room, mount.
- Per-room schedule — devices by room, with a patch/uplink summary.
- Switch utilisation — a row per port (used/free), with outlet, device and VLAN.
- Patch schedule — per panel: panel port → outlet → switch · port → VLAN → lead colour, plus a “direct to switch” section.
- Outlet / floor-port list — every faceplate, its room, type, switch · port and VLAN.
- Rack elevation — per rack, the mounted kit by U-position.
A CSV export (the ⋯ menu) writes one row per device with the inventory and patch columns, ready for your asset system.