Best tool to create "Architecture Diagrams" (not UML) [closed]

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I want to create an "architecture diagram" to explain our Software (libraries, Eclipse RCP, modules, features, etc.).

1. What is the correct name for such diagrams?
2. What is a good tool to create them? (I tried Visio and Enterprise Architect but didn't find a feature for that)

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You can use whatever program you want as long as it can draw colored shapes.

Some people I know use PowerPoint, since you can make nice designs with it.

Or in Visio: New->General->Block Diagram. You can alter the design by right click->format->line. (You can make it more beautiful but I didn't want to spend to much time)

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I don't know if these diagrams have a specific name, I know them as layer diagrams since the describe the layers or stacks in the architecture.

You could create those diagrams in Visio - although I don't think there is a stencil that supports it directly. You could also try a number of other tools:

• http://www.lovelycharts.com/
• http://www.gliffy.com/
• Microsoft Word (has good diagram support in later versions)
• Paint.Net / GIMP

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I don't know what they're called, but I've never seen one more complex than only a couple of items, so you'll probably get away with drawing them in Paint even without too much effort.