nav-users,

As you might know there is ongoing work on preparing a NAV 3.6beta. In 3.6 there are some changes to the database, i.e the interfaces will now relate directly to the netbox (switch or router), not to a module. We will still keep module information, but the strict mapping from interface to module is changed.

This effects a number of front end (and back end) tools and we are in the process of updating it all.

One system that is effected is the seed database subtool where you can add data on your twisted pair cabling and your patches from switch to jack in the wiring closets.

We are seriously considering _not_ to maintain/keep this tool from 3.6.

Our feeling is that _not_ many people use this part of NAV. It has never given full effect since the machine tracker does not include these data in its search results (which has been our intention of course).

We also argue that by using sensible interface description naming standards you will in effect document the same data. I.e. if you set the jack number and room number as description of the switch ports that are patched to your end users/offices you have these data. The "details" link under interface in the MAC search results in machine tracker give this information (it displays the interface view of ip device info).

In my opinion you should in fact do this documentation as part of your interface description, because this is useful when working directly with the switch through the CLI. Should you then double the work and do it both in the seed database patch register in addition?...

Another argument is that other systems do cabling documentation more comprehensive. NAV has i.e. no support for documenting your fibre cabling. A system like Telemator (http://www.mxdata.no/) or equivalent cabling information systems do this better. Looking at integration between these systems and NAV is of course interesting. I know the University of Tromsø has done some interesting work here.

Yet another mishap with the NAV patch register is that when you replace your switch with a new one, you will in the process loose your patch data for the switch and will have to do this registering from scratch again.

So people out there - who is going to miss the patch and cabling part of NAV?

Best regards, - Vidar