Support Guide: SACM / Service Asset & Configuration Guide (Network)

Objective

  • Ensure accurate and up-to-date records of all network assets and dependencies, to improve visibility into the network environment for effective decision making, troubleshooting and change management, enhance the overall reliability, performance, and security of the network through proactive management of assets and configurations

Scope 

  • The scope of SACM for Network Infrastructure is focused on the infrastructure assets and their configurations.
    • Asset Identification: Identify all network infrastructure assets including devices, components and associated attributes such as hardware specifications, serial numbers and firmware versions
    • Configuration Management: Implement processes and tools for capturing, storing and managing network configurations, version control, configuration baselines, and change tracking
    • Change Management Integration: Ensure network changes are assessed for impact, approved, and properly documented
    • Dependency Mapping:  Develop methods for mapping dependencies between network assets, services and business processes to facilitate change impact analysis and incident resolution
    • Automation and Tools:  Evaluate and implement automation tools and technologies to streamline process, such as network discovery tools, configuration management databases, and networking monitoring systems
    • Documentation and Reporting:  Generate regular reports and documentation to provide stakeholders with insights into the network environment, including asset inventories, configuration baselines, compliance status, and performance metrics
    • Training and Governance: Provide training and support to IT staff involved in SACM activities, establish governance policies and procedures to ensure ongoing adherence to SACM standards and practices

Environment

  • 10374: TeamDynamix (CMDB) 
  • 12568: Service Asset & Configuration Management (SACM)

Automation

  • Network Infrastructure automation uses a combination of DNAC and iPaaS   

Reviews/Audit 

  • Review and Audit of network equipment occurs monthly for Cables, Weekly for Switches.  Discrepancies are sent via email via iPaaS automation to owning account department members  

User

  • IT Services: Network Infrastructure and Network Services Groups 

Environment

  • TeamDynamix (CMDB) Network Equipment

Network Equipment Device Attributes 

Below are key attribute names with their descriptions along with guidance and information about network assets

Must

Crucial to the integrity of most or all CIs will be regularly audited for accuracy and completeness by the Practice Owner

  • Form: Provides a template of fields to complete - Form Name: Network Equipment and Network Cable.  Network Cable is specific for Network Cables and has additional attributes that are updated/completed via automation 
  • Serial Number:  Manufacturer's (Cisco, Palo Alto, etc) serial number of the device
  • Network Equipment Type:
    • Access Switch
    • Core Distribution Switch
    • Data Center Switch
    • Firewall
    • Intrusion protection appliance
    • Other
  • Status: Status of the asset - Key status are highlighted in BLUE
    • Name: The name of the asset, where automation exists this will be populated Ordered: Is on order and awaiting arrival 
    • Inventory: Not actively in use but available for deployment 
    • Build Phase: Is in build process - ie. Network components that are in the process of build configuration phase and have not been implemented
    • In-Use: Active
    • Retired: No longer in use but not disposed
    • Disposed: No longer under control of Miami and removed from the environment 
    • Donated: No longer under the control of Miami and ownership transferred to another party
    • RMA: Device returned to vendor for replacement
  • Manufacturer:  Eg, Cisco, Palo Alto
  • Manufacturer's Equipment Model:  Example: C6807

 

Should

  • Name: The name of the asset, where automation exists this will be populated 
  • Asset Tag: The Miami asset number associated with this piece of hardware (if exists) 
  • Location: The actual/physical location of the asset
  • Notes:  Any notes you want to add about the device like assignment etc
  • Date Device Received: The date the asset was acquired/received into our possession
  • Expected Replacement Date: Set as seven years after the acquisition date
  • PO (Purchase Order):  Needed if associated with a PO - going forward
  • Sales Order Number:
  • Smartnet Contract:  Cisco contract number
  • Attachments: File attachments associated with the asset

 

Attributes unique for the Network Cable (Form)

Must 

  • Network Equipment Type -
    • Cable 
  • CRR:  Should match location+room (eg, HYT103)
  • Panel.ID: The Panel ID Identified on the panel
  • Panel.port: The port number identified on the panel
  • Outlet ID - Specific drop within the room (eg, 103-01)
  • Complete Jack ID - Used to create port description on the switch (matched during iPaaS automation)

 

Should

  • Date of Last Synch - Automation Field - Date when the cable was last synched with DNAC 
  • Owner - Completed with Automation - Owner set
  • Requesting Acct/Dept - Completed with Automation - Information Technology Service
  • Planned ERL - Emergency Response Location

 

Could

  • Jack ID - The Jack ID of the cable (D1 - D7)
  • Switch ID
  • Switch Port
  • VLAN
  • Voice VLAN
  • Deployment Date
  • Cable Length (feet) - length of cable in feed
  • Cable Type
  • Notes
  • Specific Cable Type:  Set with automation - Set to the type of cable used when provided

 

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