Network Problems - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

rebeldog · 04-12-2004, 08:00 PM

I have been having seriouse network problems at work. I'm not a 'computer person' and my business is too small to have an IT department. Our network was setup before I got involved with the company and no one seems to remember who we hired to set it up. Our current support company wants us to pay them to "map" our network.

My question is how much time (money) should this take?

Currently we operate out of two adjacent buildings. In one building we have our internet access point (where our dsl signal is brough into the building), a router and a swith for around 12 user ports. We are connected to building two by an underground fiberoptic cable. In building two we have two servers and another switch (maybe) a router to connect an additional 15 users and printers.

Again I know nothing about this and sure I have butchered the terminology above and I'm sure I've left out some hardware. Any insight will be helpfull.

I guess I should mention that these problems started as a result of a virus that infected our network. The virus protection has been brought up to speed, but we are still having probems.

KnifeMissile · 04-12-2004, 08:09 PM

On the assumption that some information is better than none (I know nothing), I will say that I am not an IT professional but I think (from what you describe) that I can set up your network in a day.

For what it's worth...

rebeldog · 04-12-2004, 08:15 PM

That is kind of my problem. I know very little about it, but I fee like I know enought that it shouldn't need to be "mapped". What does that mean anyway?

Pragma · 04-12-2004, 10:02 PM

What they mean by mapped is probably to build a nice Visio/Cisco Network Designer layout of exactly what computers are connected to which network hardware, what the IP and MAC addresses are, etc. - to get a complete layout of how things work, so they have all of the knowledge before they start work.

It's a perfectly reasonable step when you're starting to work on someone else's network - but how much are they going to charge for it?

As far as time goes, it depends - there's software that will attempt to map it (and do a reasonable job) on its own (Cisco makes some good stuff for this) - but the software can be expensive. The other alternative is to go to each machine, trace each cable, etc. - and that will take a while.

beejay · 04-17-2004, 02:59 PM

It won't take more than a couple of hours to map out this network if it really is as small as you describe. I can't tell you what companies charge, but anybody with a CCNP or CCDP should be able to take care of this for you.

Ask for a high-level drawing (Visio is fine) and keep a E-sized plot of it in your server room. Believe me, this will help out later!

If you're in LA, PM me and I can probably check it out for you - possibly for free (or maybe a beer or two at a local bar!)

glytch · 04-17-2004, 05:38 PM

I don't mean to sound like an ass about this, because I'm not offering any information to this exact problem, but I do have a suggestion.
I believe that any company with more than one server (sometimes companies with only one) should have an IT department. Even if that IT department is one guy, you should have one. If you have a network, it's very likely that something is going to go wrong, and if you have one person there that at least has a basic understanding of what's going on, it will get fixed for much less money and much quicker. A good thing to do would be to head to a local tech school (if they have a networking program for their students) and ask around. That way, you'd not only be able to hire pretty cheap labor, you'd be helping some poor student get the experience he/she needs so bad.

Pragma · 04-17-2004, 09:19 PM

If you're in the DC/Northern Virginia/Baltimore area, I'd be willing to take a shot at it for free / beer - much like beejay.

And honestly, anyone with a CCDA (and some CCNAs) should be able to do it as well. As part of the CCNA training that a friend of mine went to, they mapped out the network of the building the classes were taught in - and I've picked up those skills as well.

micah67 · 04-17-2004, 09:37 PM

And if you're in the San Diego area, drop me a line...

04-12-2004, 08:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
rebeldog Upright	Network Problems I have been having seriouse network problems at work. I'm not a 'computer person' and my business is too small to have an IT department. Our network was setup before I got involved with the company and no one seems to remember who we hired to set it up. Our current support company wants us to pay them to "map" our network. My question is how much time (money) should this take? Currently we operate out of two adjacent buildings. In one building we have our internet access point (where our dsl signal is brough into the building), a router and a swith for around 12 user ports. We are connected to building two by an underground fiberoptic cable. In building two we have two servers and another switch (maybe) a router to connect an additional 15 users and printers. Again I know nothing about this and sure I have butchered the terminology above and I'm sure I've left out some hardware. Any insight will be helpfull. I guess I should mention that these problems started as a result of a virus that infected our network. The virus protection has been brought up to speed, but we are still having probems. Last edited by rebeldog; 04-12-2004 at 08:18 PM..

04-12-2004, 10:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
Pragma I am Winter Born Location: Alexandria, VA	What they mean by mapped is probably to build a nice Visio/Cisco Network Designer layout of exactly what computers are connected to which network hardware, what the IP and MAC addresses are, etc. - to get a complete layout of how things work, so they have all of the knowledge before they start work. It's a perfectly reasonable step when you're starting to work on someone else's network - but how much are they going to charge for it? As far as time goes, it depends - there's software that will attempt to map it (and do a reasonable job) on its own (Cisco makes some good stuff for this) - but the software can be expensive. The other alternative is to go to each machine, trace each cable, etc. - and that will take a while. __________________ Eat antimatter, Posleen-boy!

04-17-2004, 02:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
beejay Insane Location: Just West of Hell	It won't take more than a couple of hours to map out this network if it really is as small as you describe. I can't tell you what companies charge, but anybody with a CCNP or CCDP should be able to take care of this for you. Ask for a high-level drawing (Visio is fine) and keep a E-sized plot of it in your server room. Believe me, this will help out later! If you're in LA, PM me and I can probably check it out for you - possibly for free (or maybe a beer or two at a local bar!) __________________ Pimps and Ho's - it's this generation's cowboys and indians

04-17-2004, 05:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
glytch I am not permanent. Location: Tennessee	I don't mean to sound like an ass about this, because I'm not offering any information to this exact problem, but I do have a suggestion. I believe that any company with more than one server (sometimes companies with only one) should have an IT department. Even if that IT department is one guy, you should have one. If you have a network, it's very likely that something is going to go wrong, and if you have one person there that at least has a basic understanding of what's going on, it will get fixed for much less money and much quicker. A good thing to do would be to head to a local tech school (if they have a networking program for their students) and ask around. That way, you'd not only be able to hire pretty cheap labor, you'd be helping some poor student get the experience he/she needs so bad. __________________ If you're flammable and have legs, you are never blocking a fire exit. - Mitch Hedberg

04-17-2004, 09:19 PM	#7 (permalink)
Pragma I am Winter Born Location: Alexandria, VA	If you're in the DC/Northern Virginia/Baltimore area, I'd be willing to take a shot at it for free / beer - much like beejay. And honestly, anyone with a CCDA (and some CCNAs) should be able to do it as well. As part of the CCNA training that a friend of mine went to, they mapped out the network of the building the classes were taught in - and I've picked up those skills as well. __________________ Eat antimatter, Posleen-boy!

04-12-2004, 08:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
KnifeMissile Location: Waterloo, Ontario	On the assumption that some information is better than none (I know nothing), I will say that I am not an IT professional but I think (from what you describe) that I can set up your network in a day. For what it's worth...

04-12-2004, 08:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
rebeldog Upright	That is kind of my problem. I know very little about it, but I fee like I know enought that it shouldn't need to be "mapped". What does that mean anyway?

04-17-2004, 09:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
micah67 Thor Location: 33:08:12N 117:10:23W	And if you're in the San Diego area, drop me a line... __________________ ~micah