Book excerpt: A step-by-step guide to managing critical technologies of today's converged services IP networks Effective IP Address Management (IPAM) has become crucial to maintaining high-performing IP services such as data, video, and voice over IP. This book provides a concise introduction to the three core IPAM networking technologies—IPv4 and IPv6 addressing, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), and Domain Name System (DNS)—as well as IPAM practice and techniques needed to manage them cohesively. The book begins with a basic overview of IP networking, including a discussion of protocol layering, addressing, and routing. After a review of the IPAM technologies, the book introduces the major components, motivation, benefits, and basic approaches of IPAM. Emphasizing the necessity of a disciplined "network management" approach to IPAM, the subsequent chapters enable you to: Understand IPAM practices, including managing your IP address inventory and tracking of address transactions (such as allocation and splitting address space, discovering network occupancy, and managing faults and performance) Weigh the costs and justifications for properly implementing an IPAM strategy Use various approaches to automating IPAM functions through workflow Learn about IPv4-IPv6 co-existence technologies and approaches Assess security issues with DHCP network access control approaches and DNS vulnerabilities and mitigation including DNSSEC Evaluate the business case for IPAM, which includes derivation of the business case cost basis, identification of savings when using an IP address management system, associated costs, and finally net results Introduction to IP Address Management concludes with a business case example, providing a real-world financial perspective of the costs and benefits of implementing an IP address management solution. No other book covers all these subjects cohesively from a network management perspective, which makes this volume imperative for manager-level networking professionals who need a broad understanding of both the technical and business aspects of IPAM. In addition, technologists interested in IP networking and address management will find this book valuable. To obtain a free copy of the IPAM Configuration Guide please send an email to: [email protected]