- Home
- Network Documentation Software
- Open Network Diagram
Open Network Diagram
What it is
Open Network Diagram is a free, self-hosted tool for mapping and managing home lab and network infrastructure. Its network, Hosts & VMs, and rack views organize devices, virtual machines, subnets, VLANs, and rack placement. Connections can include cable type, colour, and length, while the IPAM panel shows subnet utilization, flags duplicate IPs, and suggests the next available address. Topology is stored as JSON, which can be backed up, reused, or optionally versioned after checking for sensitive details. Self-hosted deployments autosave changes and retain the five most recent rolling backups. The Docker-first project supports Docker Compose and writable data volumes, and its runtime provides GET and PUT operations at /api/network-data. It has no runtime dependency on external APIs and is licensed under GNU GPL v3. Published Docker images support AMD64 and 64-bit ARM, including Raspberry Pi systems. The tool does not include authentication or TLS, and topology data may reveal sensitive infrastructure details.
For and against
For
- Provides network, Hosts & VMs, and rack views.
- IPAM detects duplicate IPs and suggests the next free IP.
- JSON topology can be backed up and reused.
- Self-hosted mode keeps five rolling backups.
- Docker images support AMD64 and 64-bit ARM.
Against
- No authentication or TLS is included.
- Topology data may reveal sensitive infrastructure details.
- Writable deployments should not be exposed directly to the internet.
The verdict
Open Network Diagram offers useful inventory and topology views, with JSON persistence and IPAM tools for home lab mapping. Its lack of authentication and TLS makes access restriction or a protected reverse proxy important.
Who it suits
It suits home lab users who want to keep a current map of machines, virtual machines, devices, and rack placement. It is intended for self-hosted deployment rather than an internet-facing writable service without additional protection.
Plans and prices
Open Network Diagram
Self-hosted · Docker deployment · GNU GPL v3
Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- API
- The documented runtime API endpoint is GET/PUT /api/network-data.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The project is positioned for home lab users who need an up-to-date map of machines, virtual machines, devices and rack placement.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Cabling
- Connections can track cable type, colour and length with colour-coded links and hover details.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Data model
- The application keeps a JSON source of truth that can be backed up, reused and optionally versioned.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- The project provides Docker and Docker Compose deployment instructions with writable data volume support.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The project says it has no runtime dependency on external APIs and includes a locally vendored icon catalog for offline-friendly behavior.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- IPAM
- The IPAM panel shows per-subnet utilization, detects duplicate IP conflicts, and suggests the next free IP when adding machines, devices, or VMs.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- JSON source of truth
- The app documents infrastructure in a visual UI while keeping a JSON source of truth that users can back up, reuse, and optionally version after reviewing for sensitive information.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository identifies the software as GNU GPL v3 licensed.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Network and host views
- It provides a network view with Ethernet labels and a Hosts & VMs view for inventory and service mapping.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Persistence
- Self-hosted mode autosaves JSON data and keeps the last five rolling backups.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Persistence and backups
- In self-hosted mode, changes autosave to JSON, writes are persisted atomically, and rolling backups retain the last five files.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Open Network Diagram is a declarative, self-hosted tool for visualising and managing home lab and network architecture diagrams.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Rack inventory
- Rack view supports managed racks with U positions and heights, side-by-side shelf items, and click-through to the editor.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Read-only mode
- Optional read-only mode prevents changes and is offered for public demonstrations and sharing.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Security
- Open Network Diagram does not include authentication or TLS.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Security limit
- The README advises against exposing a writable deployment directly to the internet and recommends a firewall, LAN or VPN, or an authenticated TLS-terminating reverse proxy.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Security limitation
- The project does not include authentication or TLS, and its documentation advises restricting access or using an authenticated reverse proxy that terminates TLS.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
