Software for designing and planning network layouts.
Software for designing and planning network layouts.
Hello everyone, I’m the head technician at a music venue and handle audio, lighting, and video systems. My expertise lies in maintaining these technical aspects. I also manage our IT infrastructure. We’re growing with a new larger hall, increasing capacity from about 350 to around 700 seats. Because of the pandemic, we’ve been closed temporarily, but budgets have been cut sharply. That’s why much of the planning and setup is being done by us ourselves.
Currently, our network uses a few switches and APs, set up by a local company years ago. For the expansion, I’m handling everything myself. I’m confident I can get everything operational, though I’m new to designing such a system and struggling to find suitable software for creating floorplans. I need tools that let me visually map all equipment—switches, APs, CCTV cameras, PCs, wall jacks, etc.—assign logical numbers based on room or rack, link them to patch panels and switch ports in my main rack, and automatically generate a patch list (spreadsheet).
Ideally, I’d want software that lets me drag everything onto a floorplan, assign codes, connect patch panels, and update the list automatically. While tools like Visio or LucidChart are good for diagrams, they don’t offer built-in patch management. I’m also looking for ways to track VLANs, label ports, and keep patch information handy.
I know others might be facing similar challenges. It makes sense to align our plans closely with real-world setups rather than just theoretical designs. Would anyone have experience with this kind of system or software?
KiCAD is an open-source application primarily designed for electronics and PCB design, though it also supports hydraulics projects. This means your specific needs could be addressed. However, it seems unsuitable for importing floorplans, which may limit its usefulness in your scenario. Regarding the topology, replicate the current layout and extend where necessary to accommodate the larger space. Establish a central spine connecting your new rack to the existing structure using link aggregation—combining multiple physical cables for improved performance. If feasible, opt for fibre-optic connections now to allow scalability. Making this investment upfront can reduce expenses later.