Centralized IPAM Manager for Distributed Network Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large enterprises and managed service providers face challenges in managing multiple IP address management (IPAM) devices due to distributed IP address spaces, leading to inadequate visibility and complexity in identifying overlapping address spaces and allocating new IP addresses, which was impractical with early generation techniques.

Innovation Solution

An IPAM manager device that centrally manages multiple IPAM devices, providing visualization of IP address spaces, reporting utilization status, and performing tasks such as data synchronization and backup, allowing for secure communication and real-time updates across multiple IPAM systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If multiple distributed IPAM devices are used to manage large networks, then the capacity to manage large IP address spaces is improved, but the visibility and ability to identify overlapping address spaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIP address space management capacityVSAvoidvisibility of IP address spaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple distributed IPAM devices into a single centralized IPAM system that provides unified management and full visibility of all IP address spaces. The centralized system consolidates data from what would otherwise be siloed distributed devices, enabling organization-wide visibility while maintaining the capacity to manage large networks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The centralized IPAM system provides universal management capabilities across the entire network infrastructure, serving multiple functions including IP address allocation, tracking, visualization, and conflict detection across all sub-networks. This single system replaces multiple specialized distributed devices while enhancing overall visibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Quantity of substance

If multiple distributed IPAM devices are used, then the management of large networks is improved, but the complexity of identifying overlapping address spaces and allocating new IP addresses increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork management capacityVSAvoidcomplexity of IP address management

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple IPAM devices into one centralized system, the patent eliminates the complexity of managing multiple separate systems. The unified interface and centralized database provide straightforward processes for identifying overlaps and allocating addresses, replacing the complex multi-device management architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The centralized IPAM system implements comprehensive feedback mechanisms that automatically detect overlapping address spaces and provide real-time information about IP address allocation status across the entire network. This automated feedback eliminates the manual complexity of tracking addresses across multiple distributed devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of information

If centralized management of multiple IPAM devices is implemented, then the visibility and efficiency of IP address space management is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of IP address spacesVSAvoidcentralized management system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The centralized IPAM system provides universal management capabilities through a single platform that handles IP address allocation, tracking, visualization, and conflict detection. This multi-functional approach achieves comprehensive visibility without proportionally increasing complexity, as the system integrates multiple functions into a unified architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The centralized system implements automated processes for IP address allocation, conflict detection, and data synchronization that reduce the need for manual intervention. This self-service capability maintains comprehensive visibility while minimizing the operational complexity of managing the centralized system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9065857B2Managing multiple IP address management systems

Publication Date: 2015.06.23 INFOBLOX INC

AI summary

Managing multiple IP address management systems is provided. In some embodiments, managing multiple IP address management systems includes providing an IP address management (IPAM) manager system for receiving a configuration command to manage a first IP address management system; receiving a configuration command to manage a second IP address management system; receiving a join request from the first IP address management system; and receiving a join request from the second IP address management system, in which the IP address management manager system is in communication with the first IP address management system and the second IP address management system for managing each of the first IP address management system and the second IP address management system.