The recent introduction of technologies like BYOD and IPv6 has put much-needed emphasis over some of the oldest technologies in networking. DNS and DHCP protocols, and closely related IPAM solution, have been brought up front and center. While many users have historically used spreadsheet and freeware technologies to setup their DDI environments, the complexity of these new technologies is pushing users into an integrated DDI solution. The sheer volume of IP addresses in IPv6, or the requirement to provide self-service portal to BYOD users are some of these complexities. Added to this trend, are new security mandates that force companies to closely track and apply customized policies to their DNS and DHCP infrastructures, sometimes as granular as per-individual user basis.
While there are many vendors in this market, network admins should be especially wary of some of the newer me-too players. A typical sale strategy by these companies is selling their so-called value-driven modules to help ‘extend’ the life expediency of existing infrastructure. These products offer a loosely integrated management overlay monitoring over customer’s existing, and usually outdated, DNS and DHCP technologies. These point products tend to provide limited DNS/DHCP support, forcing customers to switch frequently between multiple UIs. However, the fact that these products are software based and come with no hardware to run on makes them especially attractive at the first glance; some offered as low as $2000.
What savvy admins would undoubtedly recognize is the pitfall of running a sub-par technology on a general-purpose hardware. Most network professionals squeak at the idea of running their core network routers/switches on general-purpose Hardware running Windows OS. DDI is part of the core network infrastructure and should not be treated differently. After all, your DDI infrastructure is one of the first things that your computers touch after connecting to a network.
Also not included in this equation is the cost of maintaining a hotchpotch environment made out of products from different vendors. Who is responsible for OS upgrade, licensing cost, etc? Infoblox offers a truly integrated DDI solution with single point of contact. Regardless of whether the issue is with hardware, software, or security, there is one phone number to call. There is value in this and our customers agree.