When selecting a DNS DHCP IPAM (DDI) solution for your network, there are several things you’ll want to consider first.
As useful as a DDI solution can be, you won’t experience as many benefits as you would with one that perfectly suits your situation. If you’re lacking a core feature or outgrow your provider, then you’ll be stuck with a service that slows you down.
When it comes to secure network automation, you want to eliminate anything that will require your attention. This means ensuring your DDI solution offers everything you need so that you aren’t wasting time on automatable tasks.
DDI is a fairly new service, but you still need to be cautious about who you decide to work with. To make this process easier for you, we’ll outline a few important considerations below.
Solution Format
One of the first things you’ll need to choose is the solution format.
There are four primary DDI solution formats that you’re likely to find. This includes options that are hardware-based, software-based, cloud-based, and open source.
As you might expect, each solution channel is a little different. Not only is the way that you interact with them different, but so too are their cost, lifespan, features, and availability.
Hardware solutions tend to cost the most and are easily outdated. Alternatively, software solutions stay relevant but often come with licenses that will require renewal and may only be compatible with specific hardware.
Cloud options may necessitate software specifically for the cloud and are the least accessible option. Open-source choices will lack features, but make up for it by being inexpensive.
Each format will have a slightly different outcome, so you need to determine which will benefit your network the most.
Functionality
Next, you’ll want to evaluate the functionality options of each DDI solution.
This is extremely important because it speaks to what your DDI solution can do. Simply having a DDI tool does not necessarily mean that your network management is simplified or more effective.
Instead, you need a DDI solution that you can understand and use to accomplish the exact goals you have in mind. Each DDI solution does vary in what it can do, but you’re likely to find a solution that has all the features that you need.
To determine what functionality you need, look at your network’s infrastructure and the traffic load it handles. Consider what tasks need to be completed and find a tool that can automate them.
Security
Another factor you can’t overlook is a DDI solution’s security level.
DDI plays a major role in network management, which means it impacts how secure your network is. With a highly secure DDI solution, you’ll never need to worry about network operations being disrupted or intercepted.
Most of this comes down to seeing what security features a DDI solution offers. Most will identify and quarantine an unauthorized interaction, but not all of them will take proactive action to prevent it in the future.
The more secure your DDI tool is, the safer your network will be. Greater security is likely to come at a higher cost, but this may be worth it for you considering the time and effort saved.
With the looming threat of cyber-attacks and data theft, you need to be proactive about preventing any form of attack or loss. With a good DDI solution, you’ll give your network just what it needs to fend off attacks.
Scalability
You’ll also want to consider if a DDI solution offers compatibility for scaling.
You might find an ideal DDI tool that provides everything you need, but what’s to say that stands true in the future? Can you say that your business size and needs will remain the same in a year? What about five?
Some DDI solution formats come with renewal periods, which can put you into a tricky situation. If you’re stuck with a DDI tool that you’ve outgrown, then you’ll pay for services that aren’t useful.
Try to envision what your business and network will look like in the future. Find a DDI solution that can accommodate both your current and upcoming needs so that you don’t need to look again when you want to grow.
Closing Thoughts
DDI tools are great for simplifying the tasks involved in oversight of the DNS, DHCP, and IPAM. Using one will centralize network management and make it easier to keep tabs on the status of your network.
From here, you can easily identify and address any unauthorized interactions. This will prevent you from losing data and giving attackers access to sensitive areas of your network.
A few things to look for in a DDI solution include the solution format, functionality options, security level, and potential for scalability. These will all affect how potent your DDI tool is and how cost-efficient it is over time.
If you want a method for effectively handling network management, then you need a DDI solution to streamline most of the work for you.
Guest Post
Founder Dinis Guarda
IntelligentHQ Your New Business Network.
IntelligentHQ is a Business network and an expert source for finance, capital markets and intelligence for thousands of global business professionals, startups, and companies.
We exist at the point of intersection between technology, social media, finance and innovation.
IntelligentHQ leverages innovation and scale of social digital technology, analytics, news, and distribution to create an unparalleled, full digital medium and social business networks spectrum.
IntelligentHQ is working hard, to become a trusted, and indispensable source of business news and analytics, within financial services and its associated supply chains and ecosystems
