Many organizations have completed at least initial deployments of voice over IP (VoIP) services within their enterprises, or as a service offering for subscribers. Many others are in the process of deployment or are in the planning stages for such a deployment. Pockets of further convergence of video conferencing, unified messaging, and related IP-based communications applications are emerging within organizations as well. With much if not all of the organization’s communications applications running over an IP network, the criticality – not to mention visibility – of maintaining uptime of the network increases dramatically.

Murphy’s Law fans, which include most IP network managers, will point out that whatever can go wrong managing a network will go wrong. IP network managers should display a healthy sense of paranoia, and proactively plan to eliminate threats to keeping the IP network up and running.

This plan should include:

• Network redundancy
• Diverse network routing to key infrastructure elements and applications
• Minimizing security vulnerabilities
• Eliminating misconfigurations
• Structured processes for network and software upgrades
• Proactive monitoring

Among the key elements underpinning the foundation of the IP network, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) and Domain Name System (DNS) are critical to proper initialization and usability of IP applications. If a user’s computer cannot obtain an IP address, or a VoIP phone cannot initialize via DHCP, users will call the help desk. From their perspective, the network is down. Likewise, if they are unable to connect to applications or other voice users due to DNS failures, they will also consider the network down.

There are many services and protocols used by various IP applications, but DHCP and DNS are used by nearly all IP devices for every application for proper initialization on the IP network and for easier usability for network users.

It is very important to streamline efforts to keep IP networks up and running for critical DHCP and DNS services. IPControl Sapphire appliances, from BtDiamondIp, achieve the next level in protecting DHCP and DNS services.

BT Diamond IP, the market leaders in IP Management Software offer unsurpassed reliability, scalability and visibility for exceptional control over complex IP networks. We also provide comprehensive, scalable DNS AND DHCP management solutions along with Dhcp appliances, DNS appliances and IP address tracking to companies worldwide.