Windows-Based Graphic Design Tools

Windows-based Visio is the de facto tool for creating and editing network diagrams. However, Visio is a commercial product with strict license requirements. Windows users who are looking for noncommercial (or open source) alternatives for creating network diagrams have limited choices. Following are the two noncommercial Windows-based tools that provide adequate functionality for creating network diagrams:

• Network Notepad A lightweight, easy-to-use tool for drawing Cisco network diagrams.

• Dia The Windows version of Dia is similar to the Linux version. Refer to the section "Linux-Based Graphic Design Tools," earlier in this chapter, for more information.

Network Notepad (http://www.networknotepad.com) is an MS-Windows-based graphic design tool that offers the following features:

• Runs on Windows 9x, NT, 2000, and XP

• Is easy to install and use

• Provides drag-and-drop operation

• Allows the addition of new icons

• Exports images as .bmp files

The following sections prepare you for understanding and using Network Notepad. The discussion is organized into the following three topics:

• Deploying Network Notepad

• Creating diagrams

• Viewing sample diagrams

Deploying Network Notepad

The steps for deploying Network Notepad on an MS-Windows machine are as follows:

Step 1.	Download Download and save the installation file from the home page at http://www.networknotepad.com.
Step 2.	Install Start the installation by double-clicking the installation file. The default location is C:\program files\network notepad\.
Step 3.	Add stencils Stencils, referred to as libraries by Network Notepad, are stored in the default location C:\program files\network notepad\objects. The base package does not include extra stencils. However, you can download an additional icon library from the home page. Unzip and save the library files in the objects folder. The two available libraries are as follows: Cisco Library The Cisco icons library is based on the network icons available in the "Network Topology Icons" section of the Cisco website (http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/503/2.html). Switch Library The Switch library is handy for creating physical-topology (Layer 1 topology) diagrams for switched networks.
Step 4.	Run To run the program, choose Start > Programs > Network Notepad.

Creating Diagrams in Network Notepad

Before creating network diagrams, you should be familiar with the Network Notepad toolbar. Figure 11-5 illustrates some of the toolbar's functionality.

Figure 11-5. Network Notepad Toolbar

When you start Network Notepad, a blank diagram is created by default. You can create a new diagram by filling in the blank diagram. The most common tasks involved in creating a network diagram are as follows:

• Adding icons

• Connecting icons

• Removing a connection

• Adding a host name and IP information

• Adding text

• Inserting an Ethernet backbone

• Exporting the diagram as a .bmp image

• Adding new icons to the library

Adding Icons

To add icons to the diagram, follow these steps:

Step 1.	Click the Object Library icon on the toolbar to launch the Object Library menu.
Step 2.	Select the desired stencil from the drop-down menu on the toolbar.
Step 3.	Drag and drop icons from the library to the diagram.

Connecting Icons

Follow these steps to connect two icons:

Step 1.	Select the type of connection from the Link menu.
Step 2.	Enter Connection mode by clicking the Link button. To link two icons, click the first icon and then click the second. You can also right-click an icon and choose Link from the menu that appears to enter Connection mode.
Step 3.	To exit Connection mode, click the Link button.

Tip

To create a bent connection (a connection with bends and elbows instead of one straight line), while in Link mode, click the first icon, click the background, and then click the second icon.

Removing a Connection

To remove a connection between two icons, click both icons and click the Unlink button.

Adding a Host Name and IP Address Information

To add a host name and IP address information, right-click an icon and select Properties. Enter the desired information in the Properties window and click the OK button to save your changes. You can also use the Properties window to edit the connection information, as shown in Figure 11-6. Note the Background feature that is found in the Properties window. When selected, this feature places the device icon behind the connection link. This is useful when indicating physical port connections.

Figure 11-6. Object Properties Window

Adding Text

To add text, follow these steps:

Step 1.	Click the Text Mode button and then click in the desired location on the diagram.
Step 2.	Enter the desired text.
Step 3.	To exit Insert Text mode, click the Text Mode button again.

Adding an Ethernet Backbone

Network Notepad also includes a built-in Ethernet backbone connection for creating LAN diagrams. Follow these steps to insert a horizontal Ethernet backbone:

Step 1.	On the main menu, choose Insert > Horizontal Backbone.
Step 2.	Click in the desired location on the diagram to paste a horizontal Ethernet backbone.
Step 3.	Click the Paste button to exit Insert Backbone mode.

Exporting the Diagram as a .bmp Image

The default file format used by Network Notepad is a text file with the .ndg extension. To save the image in .bmp format, choose File > Export To Bitmap Graphic File. Windows provides tools such as Paint that can convert .bmp images into .gif and .jpg formats.

Adding New Icons to the Library

To add new icons to the library, copy the .jpg, .gif, or .bmp icons to the Clipboard from any application and paste them in the Stencil window. You can edit the name of the new icon by right-clicking the icon and selecting Rename.

Viewing Sample Diagrams Created by Network Notepad

Figures 11-7 and 11-8 show two sample diagrams that were created by Network Notepad. These diagrams represent the same network. However, the two versions highlight the correlation between the logical and physical topologies.

Figure 11-7 shows the logical topology for ABC Investments Inc.

Figure 11-7. Logical Topology Diagram in Network Notepad

Figure 11-8 shows the physical topology of the network illustrated in Figure 11-7.

Figure 11-8. Physical Topology Diagram in Network Notepad