Internet Protocol address management (IPAM) is a complex task of monitoring Internet Protocol address space used in networks. Two of the most important components or tools of network environment are DNS and DHCP.
IP address management helps streamline several tasks. Network service configuration tools such as DNS and DHCP typically refer network database to allocate various numeric identities.
Manual or paper based configuration process invariably slows down the process of IP management; it often generates errors, overlaps configurations and IP addresses. Maintaining and editing configuration files like DNS servers, DHCP servers and IP addresses in such a manner will result in chaos and confusion. Ghost records or non-existent records are some of the errors which are synonymous with manual configuration method.
The latest IP address administration system creates database that is layered; to separate out various network parameters. While configuring the network services these layers are used to automate the configuration process.
IP address administration removes the chance of human errors that may lead to conflicting information in configuration files, which are the reference points for IP space allocation.
IP address management in general and IP address management tools in particular work in tandem; knowing each others moves and change in parameters. These are typically available in the following four models.
1. A database that consists of all the network information is used to manage all the components and parameters on a given DNS and DHCP severs. This is called a software model and consists of intuitive interface to program or allocate key assignments.
2. In the appliance model all the components form one single unit to maintain key functions of network environment.
3. Hybrid and hosted models are the other two IPAM options. Hosted model typically has database and DNS servers hosted in a separate datacenter. The service provider offers interface to the client to manipulate the settings or key elements.
