IPAM in the Cloud

Virtualizing IP address management (IPAM) functions themselves affords readers the same benefits of elastically managing deployments for IPAM as for other network functions. Rapidly deploying a cloud domain name system server, for example enables readers to add flexible capacity to support a marketing event, bypass a server upgrade, or to manage a server transition. In most cases, the virtual network function (VNF) will be assigned a hostname such that it can be referenced by name as well as its IP address. Automation is among the key benefits of implementing an IPAM system. While every organization may perform their processes and workflows a bit differently than others, this chapter examines a set of common “primitives” with respect to automation of IPAM processes, and then discusses additional opportunities for automation. It illustrates how incorporation of IPAM functions within a broader workflow process can produce efficiency gains and streamline processes and service delivery.