IP Connections
IP address management is key
An IPAM solution can buttress a disciplined network management approach.
by Tim Rooney
Effective management of
the IP network requires a set of disciplined
processes and tools to plan, deploy and
manage converged IP services. A key
component among this set of tools and
processes is IP address management (IPAM),
which is employed to track and manage IP
address space and supporting network
services. IPAM involves the creation and
tracking of an IP address plan to accurately
model IP address and subnet assignments.
This plan serves as the foundation upon
which IP address moves, adds and changes can
be applied.
The IP address plan also
serves as the definitive source of
configuration information supporting network
services, namely, dynamic host configuration
protocol (DHCP) and domain name system
(DNS). DHCP and DNS network services provide
automated IP address assignment and host
name lookup services, respectively, and are
critical to providing efficient and
easy-to-use converged services.
Implementation of an IPAM
system to administer the IP address plan and
associated DHCP and DNS configurations can
streamline and improve overall management
performance of multiservice IP networks.
An IPAM tool can
integrate the IP address plan with automated
configuration of distributed DHCP and DNS
servers. A centralized IPAM solution enables
the entry of IP information once, leveraging
this information across integrated IP
inventory, DHCP and DNS configuration
functions.
An IPAM solution can also
buttress a disciplined enterprise-wide
network-management approach. Depending on
the scale and structure of the approach,
IPAM functions can be performed
independently using a standalone IPAM system
or assimilate workflow using an IPAM system
integrated within a documented process
framework such as ITIL. Regardless of the
approach, the following key IPAM functions
should be performed.
Implement a hierarchical
address plan matching the routing topology.
This can help model address aggregation and
streamline allocations. For example, each IP
service may require its own addressing
hierarchy due to differing routing treatment
of voice over IP (VoIP) versus data traffic
based on IP address.
Derive and automate DHCP
and DNS server configurations based on the
address plan. This can save time and money,
especially with support for IP
service-specific address assignment and
device initialization parameters. Many IP
service-specific devices, such as VoIP
phones, require DHCP not only to obtain an
IP address but also to acquire additional
initialization parameters.
The ability to configure
DHCP servers to identify such devices by
client class and to assign corresponding
standard and vendor-specific DHCP option
values simplifies device provisioning, while
providing cohesive cross-server
configuration and control.
Automate DNS server
configurations. Modeling and deploying IP
service-specific domains, resource record
types and related DNS configuration
information using the IPAM system that
manages IP address space facilitates
information consistency.
Manage the IP plan and
network-services configuration through
discovery capabilities. This enables
auditing and reconciliation of assigned
addresses against the IP plan, which is
critical to maintaining accurate inventory
information as new end-users arrive, others
move, and subnets and domains are added.
Integrated multilevel discovery and
reconciliation capabilities within the IPAM
system can help detect rogue network changes
and keep the database aligned with reality.
Change control and accountability
tracking provide the ability to apply IPAM
administrator access controls and to audit
activity for compliance, troubleshooting and
reporting.
Tim Rooney is director of product management for BT Diamond IP, New York.
For more information
(click here)