Why this Software exists

Network diagrams are the backbone of IT documentation, but creating them has traditionally been a tedious and frustrating process. If you've ever wrestled with Visio stencils, nudged draw.io connectors into place, or spent hours hunting for the right network symbols, you understand the struggle that inspired PLANNet.

The Problem with Traditional Network Diagramming

Traditional diagramming tools present several key challenges:

Floating Lines and Generic Shapes

Most diagramming tools use generic symbols and simple lines to represent network connections. You drag a router icon and a switch icon onto a canvas, then draw lines between them. But how do you clearly show that the router's Port 1 connects to the switch's Port 24? You're left adding text labels or hoping the next person just knows which ports are used.

Stencil Hunting and Manual Labeling

Tools like Visio or Lucidchart provide libraries of shapes, but you often spend valuable time searching for the right stencil or manually labeling ports. Even then, the connections are merely lines attached to shapes, not to specific ports.

Fragile Connections

Move a device icon and you risk leaving cables dangling or misaligned. It's easy to end up with "floating" cable endpoints that don't clearly indicate which ports connect to what. As networks grow, keeping track of port-level details becomes nearly impossible with manual diagrams.

Speed vs. Accuracy Trade-off

When quick diagramming is needed, many network engineers resort to paper because traditional tools are too slow and cumbersome for rapid network planning.

The Philosophy Behind PLANNet

This tool started as a personal frustration with existing solutions. We needed the ability to draw network diagrams quickly and accurately, without reverting to paper for speed or compromising on precision. PLANNet bridges that gap by focusing on what network engineers actually need: definite connections where necessary, rather than abstract "This switch is connected to this firewall" representations.

We believe network diagramming should be as intuitive as plugging in actual cables, and PLANNet makes that vision a reality.

Who are We?

We're a small team of IT professionals who support small and medium-sized businesses. We understand the challenges of network planning and documentation firsthand, which is why we created PLANNet. Our goal is to empower network engineers with a tool that simplifies their workflow and enhances their productivity.

License

PLANNet is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0. You can freely use, modify, and distribute the software under the terms of this license.

Contributing

We currently do not accept contributions from the public. However, we welcome feedback and suggestions for future improvements. Please reach out to us via the roadmap Page.