Name scheme

[Guest_imported]

Does anyone have a good naming convention for identifying switches routers, etc. I am trying to come up with a good naming scheme that will be easy to understand.

Any ideas are appreciated..

 

[mmcgurty]

At my company we use the following standard

RT or SW for router or switch
AL for the state it is located in
BI for the city it is located in
01 and so on for each device installed.

So the outcome would be:

RTALBI01 or SWALBI01 for Router/Switch, Alabama, Birmingham, Device 01

 

[Guest_imported]

What about the function of the router/switch and the location? Scenario: if you manage a large number of devices how can you easily identify what the device function is and what it supports..?

thanks for the idea..

 

[mmcgurty]

The way we look at it, its either doing switching or routing. We use descriptions on the interfaces to tell us what function it preforms, and if that doesn't help then you can always view the config (sh run). We have a pretty much cookie cutter type system, so most every router follows the same patterns.

 

[Guest_imported]

thanks,

It definitely make sense to follow that system if you only manage a small number of devices. what if you manage thousands of devices? You get a report listing all devices in US, NY and say you have about another 100 in the NY location. Telneting to every single one will be a waste just to find out what the exact location/function is... This is only in a inventory scenario. What about if you received an alert on your mgmt station indicating router aaabbccddeef# has failed.. It will be very helpful if you can tell what router failed just by looking at the name..

thanks again for your input..

 

[mmcgurty]

We have 32 2620/3640/3660 Cisco routers and 54 2924XL Cisco Catalyst switches. In addition, we have 9 Cisco 8410 WAN Switches. Not once have I ever questioned what was down or up. I could be misunderstanding what you all are trying to point out. I mean if I get a text page telling me that IGXNYNY01 is down, I know its down and what it does...it will effect voice and the T1 to a location. What more is there to understand? Are you all saying specific ports on routers and switches?

 

[wybnormal]

Names that make sense are of much value when digramming the network, show and tell to exectives for the next years budget, baselining the network, helpdesk who are clueless to what Switch18198373 really means and so on.

A solid name and number scheme can not be over valued.. the same goes for numbering the jacks.

MikeS "Diplomacy; the art of saying 'nice doggie' till you can find a rock" Wynn Catlin