GigaOm Key Criteria for Evaluating DDI Solutionsv3.0

1. Executive Summary

As enterprises adopt more cloud-based solutions, take advantage of hybrid networks, and deploy more IoT devices, IP address management becomes more complex and efficient management more critical. DDI (DNS, DHCP, and IPAM) solutions integrate three core components of network management into a unified platform, providing a centralized approach to managing IP addresses, domain name resolution, and dynamic IP address assignment. This integration is crucial for maintaining efficient and secure network operations.

DDI is an acronym for DNS (Domain Name System), DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), and IPAM (IP Address Management). DNS translates human-readable domain names into IP addresses, enabling devices to locate and communicate with each other over the internet; DHCP dynamically assigns IP addresses to devices on a network, ensuring efficient use of IP address space; and IPAM is the overarching framework that manages and tracks IP address space, including both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. It provides a centralized inventory of IP resources, helping administrators to optimize address allocation, avoid conflicts, and plan for future growth (see Figure 1).

Figure 1. DDI’s Three Core Components

The integration of DNS, DHCP, and IPAM into a single solution is critical for several reasons:

• Efficiency: Centralized management and automation reduce the administrative burden on IT staff members, allowing them to focus on strategic initiatives rather than routine maintenance.
• Reliability: DDI solutions minimize network downtime and enhance overall network performance by ensuring consistent and accurate IP address management and domain name resolution.
• Security: Integrated security features help protect the network from various cyber threats, ensuring the integrity and availability of critical network services.
• Compliance: DDI solutions help organizations comply with regulatory requirements by providing secure and auditable management of IP address space and DNS services.
• IPv4 monetization: DDI solutions enable greater control and visibility over IPv4 address spaces, enabling organizations to identify and monetize surplus IPv4 resources through authorized transfer channels or leasing arrangements.

Essential for modern network management, DDI technology plays a critical role in ensuring reliable and secure network operations as network environments evolve.

Business Imperative
Deploying a DDI solution is essential for achieving centralized management, automation, and enhanced security of network services, which collectively lead to increased operational efficiency and reduced costs. By integrating DNS, DHCP, and IPAM into a single platform, organizations can streamline network management, ensure accurate and timely DNS resolution, and mitigate security threats more effectively while also optimizing the use of their IPv4 address space. This optimization not only supports efficient network operations but also enables the monetization of surplus IPv4 addresses, providing a potential revenue stream that can offset the costs of transitioning to IPv6 and other strategic initiatives.

Sector Adoption Score
To help executives and decision-makers assess the potential impact and value of a DDI solution deployment to the business, this GigaOm Key Criteria report provides a structured assessment of the sector across five factors: benefit, maturity, urgency, impact, and effort. By scoring each factor based on how strongly it compels or deters the adoption of a DDI solution, we provide an overall Sector Adoption Score (Figure 2) of 4.8 out of 5, with 5 indicating the strongest possible recommendation to adopt. This indicates that a DDI solution is a very credible candidate for deployment and worthy of thoughtful consideration.

The factors contributing to the Sector Adoption Score for DDI are explained in more detail in the Sector Brief section that follows.

Figure 2. Sector Adoption Score for DDI

This is the third year that GigaOm has reported on the DDI space in the context of our Key Criteria and Radar reports. This report builds on our previous analysis and considers how the market has evolved over the last year.

This GigaOm Key Criteria report highlights the capabilities (table stakes, key features, and emerging features) and nonfunctional requirements (business criteria) for selecting an effective DDI solution. The companion GigaOm Radar report identifies vendors and products that excel in those decision criteria. Together, these reports provide an overview of the market, identify leading DDI offerings, and help decision-makers evaluate these solutions so they can make a more informed investment decision.