Effective IP Address Management is Invisible

As network users power up their laptops, VoIP phones, wireless tablets and other communications devices, they all unwittingly leverage and rely on the effective IP address management (IPAM) practices of network engineers. These network engineers are responsible for assuring the availability of IP addresses for each device connecting to the network and for enabling simple application navigation without knowledge of the underlying IP network.

The practice of IPAM entails management of IP address space, automating IP address assignment via the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), and simplifying user navigation with name-to-IP address translation functions of the Domain Name System (DNS).

These functions are foundational to every IP network. Every IP device requires an IP address to communicate and DHCP automates this address assignment within the scope of the IP address plan.

Navigating to websites or sending email using email addresses offers a vast usability improvement over navigating via IP addresses, and DNS automates this name-to-address translation. If IP Address Management functions are effectively managed, end users happily connect to the network and navigate by name; IPAM functions are invisible and they "just work."

If the IP address plan is awry or if DHCP or DNS are down, IPAM suddenly becomes very visible! If end users are unable to obtain an IP address, they will be unable to perform any network functions; if they are unable to navigate by name (e.g., by web address) they will likewise find use of the network very difficult.

If you’re an IPAM network engineer, you’ll be sure to discover this very quickly when the help desk or call center lights up with calls. So you certainly have motivation to keep DNS and DHCP up and running and properly configured with respect to the IP address plan and IPAM solutions can help you achieve these goals.