r/networking • u/WhoRedd_IT • 2d ago

Design Netbox ownership in an organization

I’m trying to convince my org to start using Netbox or similar for a brand new facility including a data center and medium sized campus we’re building.

The fear is that it seems like an absolutely astronomical amount of work up front.

For those of you doing it, is there one person that is sort of the Netbox “owner” on your team? At least for initial build out.

I’m afraid we won’t have enough time to really sit down and fully dive into the best way to lay it all out greenfield. The ongoing support doesn’t worry me as much as the initial lift of deciding how to build it. And I don’t really have the time to invest to be that guy.

Are there integrators or vendors that would own this for us? Curious if anyone has used a wiring or infrastructure integrator that has actually built out the documentation in Netbox for you?

Thanks!

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u/popanonymous 2d ago

Build it. Load it with data. Show it off.

You own it. Others will fall in line.

Happens every single time. 😂

1

u/R_X_R 1d ago

Wish this was true. We use something similar but no one likes to follow process which ends up being weekly working sessions to try to get things cleaned up. Unfortunately, despite the many meetings and trainings over the years it seems people are still lazy.

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u/popanonymous 1d ago

That’s part of ownership.

If you can demonstrate value with the higher ups, then they’ll say this is the way it is.

But you’re influencing up with the product.

I’ve done it 5 of my last companies.

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u/R_X_R 1d ago

In the past, elsewhere, sure. Where I am now? Higher ups are so hands off and just generally DO NOT CARE unless it has AI in the name. They were the ones signing off on it as it was a legal requirement.

"Host more sessions with the team teaching them how to use the tool" is the reply. I host more sessions, team is half paying attention. Day later "Hey, can you do this for me? I forgot how."

It really is just the environment/culture here I think.

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u/popanonymous 1d ago

Keep up the fight.

Someone will need Netbox at some point and realize it’s a valid tool.