IPAM and IPAT are two packages which will assist with managing your IP addresses.
To let you into a secret, both utilities are fun to use, even if
you don't have a pressing need to manage your IP address space.
Firstly, remember that
SolarWinds' IPAM has ALL the elements, whereas
IPAT, the free 'IP
Address Tracker', only contains the basic features. One
factor that may sway you to install IPAM is that you already have other
software in the ORION suite.
Assuming you are using IPAM, and not the IP Address Tracker, seek out the 'Manage Subnets and IP Addresses' tab. It's incredible
the
way the software can organise the subnets, you can even create supernets by
dragging and dropping the elements.
See
IP4 and IP6 reports by default, alternatively, create your own.
What I particularly liked was the Top 10
lists.
Many techies have spent longer than we care to admit in customizing an Excel Spreadsheet to
manage our IP addresses allocations. Thus it's worth getting a copy of
this IPAM software just to save time tracking which server has been been
allocated to which IP address, or which building uses a particular subnet.
Best of all, the subnet allocation wizard works out the address ranges
for you.
It's a force of nature that whenever you want to achieve something
complicated there will be set-backs on the journey of discovery.
One of my secrets of learning is to build on success, and it is for this
reason that I recommend you test the IP Address Tracker before moving on
to its 'Big Brother' IPAM.
The killer feature of IPAM is integration with the rest of the
SolarWinds suite, in particular linking with the Performance Monitor.
Also, scanning subnets automatically is a real time-saver on big
networks.
My first installation failed. The IPAM needs IIS, thus I had
to get that web service working before I could install the more
sophisticated SolarWinds IPAM. After some fiddling I got IPAM
running smoothly and I was impressed with this utility. However,
being an SNMP expert, my old friend 'Mad' Mick wanted
more. To be objective, if you are a relative newbie, such as me,
then you will be impressed, whereas if you are a hard-hearted veteran
such as Mike, then you may be critical because it does not read your mind.
What Mick complained of was that IPAM allowed him to create duplicate IP
ranges (Silly Mick, Guy says). It also would not perform all the
import and exports that Mick wanted.
In a nutshell, IPAM 3.0 is just that bit more fun to configure than
previous versions.
Improved user delegation. You can restrict
IPAM users per location/departments; for example, the IT department for
Asia may operate only with related subnets but they can't change
anything in the European or USA IP address scope.
DHCP management. You can configure your
Microsoft DHCP servers, thus you don't need to switch from IPAM to the
Microsoft DHCP server console just to make an IP Address reservation.
Real-time monitoring of DHCP address leases.
You no longer have to connect to the Microsoft DHCP snap-in, with IPAM
3.0 what you do is 1) Select the scope. 2) Click on "Address
leases" button.
IPAM 3.0 now has DNS monitoring for Microsoft DNS.
I found the hardest part of the install was remembering where I
downloaded the zip file! The rest was easy, I extracted the .msi files clicked on the
licence agreement, and let the install wizard perform the setup.
After the install completes IPAM launches you are ready to
begin. Should you need 'find' the application later look on the
start menu, or if all else fails navigate to:
C:\Program Files (x86)\SolarWinds\
IPAM Tweak
Starting with version 2.0.1 you can tweak the payload for ping
requests. It solves the problem of firewalls filtering large ICMP
packets.
IPAM is the all singing all dancing version, while
the IP
Address Tracker is the free basic tool. Version 3 brings
requested new features such as Real-time monitoring of DHCP address
leases.
Full Reviews of the SolarWinds Licenced Family of Applications
Here are Guy's comprehensive evaluations, comments and recommendations for
SolarWinds licensed products. Each application offers a 30 day trial of a fully
functional program, so check out the download links provided.
Guy Recommends:
SolarWinds' NPM - Network Performance Monitor
SolarWinds' performance monitor is designed for detecting network outages,
making it easy to see what's working, and what needs your attention.
This utility guides you through creating network maps; it also helps
identifying whether the
root cause is faulty equipment, or resource overload. Give NPM a try.
