Infoblox Inc., the DNS, DHCP and IPAM (DDI) market leader with the largest installed base of IPv6-ready DDI appliances, today announced availability of the only DDI solution designed to automate and manage the complete IPv4 to IPv6 transition lifecycle.
The solution expands on existing IPv6 support built into Infoblox’s DDI solution since 2006 and demonstrates Infoblox’s ongoing commitment to provide enterprise organizations network infrastructure automation and control solutions designed to meet their needs today and well into the future.
IPv6: A Necessary Hurdle for Everyone
With the recent distribution of the last range of available IPv4 addresses, there is a heightened awareness and interest in the need to start IPv6 transition initiatives by many organizations, such as service providers, higher education institutions and retailers with eCommerce sites and highly distributed networks. However, many are overwhelmed by the complexity of the task and what they don’t realize is that those who delay could face mounting risks jeopardizing network performance and access to their web presence by large constituencies of end users.
Zeus Kerravala, Senior Vice President and Distinguished Research Fellow at the Yankee Group, commented: “Unfortunately, the IPv6 transition is perceived by many to be a complex, daunting and costly task, especially those who have significant investments in highly distributed IPv4 environments and equipment. However, with a clearly defined and phased approach, including the right tools with built-in automation technologies, like Infoblox’s leading solutions, most can smoothly manage a gradual and successful transition.”
Infoblox solutions provide the automation, visibility, intelligence and management needed for a successful IPv6 transition. This functionality has already proven instrumental for many Infoblox customers embarking on the initial phases of transition from IPv4 to IPv6.
Jay Tumas, Core Network Intelligence and Operations Manager of one of the largest privately owned higher education networks in the world, and an Infoblox customer since 2008 has enabled IPv6 leveraging Infoblox solutions, commented: “Infoblox IPv6-ready solutions have been key to helping us establish a solid foundation for delivering highly reliable DNS and DHCP services with built in, automated IPAM. Before Infoblox, we performed IP Address Management using customized tools and spreadsheets; clearly, with the expanded size in an IPv6 address, the manual entry and sorting of such entities would be terribly cumbersome and likely wrought with human error. Infoblox’s tight integration of DNS, DHCP and IPAM combined with built-in automation eliminates risk and allows us to easily see and manage in real-time all our addresses from a single interface. We anticipate that this capability will be very helpful in making our initial venture into production IPv6 services a success for the University.”
Infoblox Offers Keys to Successful IPv6 Transition
Infoblox DDI solutions, which are used by more than 210 of the Global 500, have been IPv6-ready with DNSv6 functionality since 2006 and IP address management functionality for both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses from a single GUI since 2009. Critical Infoblox IPv6 capabilities include AAAA records for DNS resolution, dual stack IPv4 and IPv6 IP address management from a single interface, task delegation and automation for complex addressing tasks, automated IPv6 network change and configuration management to ensure IPv6 network is secure and compliant, and more.
The enhancements announced today add automated IP address assignment (DHCP) functionality for an IPv6 networks enabling dynamic assignment and delivery of an IPv6 address to all IPv6 devices which is essential for full IPv6 adoption within an enterprise network LAN.
Additional unique functionality added to the solution includes DNS64 support – essential to enabling translation between new IPv6 assets and legacy IPv4 “islands” where a technology refresh is not possible or cost prohibitive. Customers can deploy the Infoblox DNS64 solution to allow IPv6 only devices the ability to easily connect and operate with IPv4 only systems seamlessly allowing end users to transition to the newer protocol.
All these IPv6 capabilities combined in Infoblox’s integrated DDI solution provide an excellent return on investment and ensures that enterprises have the necessary tools to manage their IPv4 to IPv6 transition from start to finish.
Cricket Liu, Infoblox Vice President of Architecture and Technology and DNS and IPv6 expert, concluded: “As the premier DNS and IP address management solution provider, Infoblox has pioneered the development of IPv6-ready solutions in anticipation of this transition. We are pleased to announce the new DNS64 and DHCPv6 capabilities, representing a new level of functionality that helps lay the groundwork for the next phase of IPv6 adoption beyond the obvious Internet-facing network edge and throughout the entire network.”
Availability
The new IPv6 capabilities are available in Infoblox NIOS software version 6.1 now available through Infoblox’s network of channel partners worldwide.
For more information about Infoblox IPv6-ready products, visit: https://www.infoblox.com/en/products.html.
About Infoblox
Infoblox is an industry leading developer of network infrastructure automation and control solutions. Infoblox’s unique technologies, including the Infoblox Grid™—a real-time, data distribution technology—increase network availability and control, while automating time-consuming manual tasks associated with network infrastructure services like domain name resolution (DNS), IP address management (IPAM), network change and configuration management (NCCM) and network discovery, among others. Infoblox solutions are used by over 4,750 organizations worldwide, including more than one third of the Fortune 500. The company is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., and operates in more than 30 countries.