Tips for Effective Network Design Diagrams
1) To illustrate different protocols or cable types, color code your connecting lines.
Color coded connections
2) Differentiate among separate LANs, departments, or divisions using colored backgrounds behind each division.
A small company's network divisions
3) For large organizations, you might need to create more than one network design diagram. SmartDraw allows you to link multiple diagrams, so the viewer can drill down into your diagram for more detail. For example, you could represent a branch office with a single shape in your main network diagram, and clicking on that shape opens the detailed network diagram for the branch office.
To link an object in your chart to another diagram, select the object and click Hyperlink located on the Insert tab. The Create a Hyperlink dialog will open. Select SmartDraw Drawing and browse to link to your file. A small plus sign will appear in the object, and clicking on it opens the linked file.
5) SmartDraw makes it easy to share your network design diagram with others in a business presentation or on the web.
- Export as GIF or JPEG for the web
- Export as HTML with working hyperlinks
- Copy & Paste into PowerPoint® or other Microsoft Office® Suite programs
When you paste your diagram into another program (such as PowerPoint®), you can edit it by simply double-clicking on the diagram in the other program. This automatically opens the diagram in SmartDraw for editing, and your changes will be updated in the other program automatically.
6) Draw for your audience. Draw a detailed chart for your technical staff, but a more general chart for upper management. You can even include both charts in the same drawing by using layers. Move all the technical information to a separate layer and hide it when you present the chart to management.