IP Address Management (IPAM) refers to the processes and tools used to manage Internet Protocol (IP) addresses in a network. IPAM centralizes the allocation, tracking, and planning of IP addresses to ensure efficient use and avoid conflicts within a network infrastructure. With IPAM, network administrators gain visibility into all IP address usage, enhancing network reliability and simplifying administrative tasks.

Key functions of IPAM include:

Address Allocation: IPAM tools automate IP address assignments, preventing duplicate IP addresses and improving address efficiency.
Address Tracking: Administrators can monitor IP address utilization and availability, helping manage IPv4 and IPv6 spaces effectively.
Network Optimization: IPAM identifies underused or overused IPs and enables efficient network planning, minimizing issues like address exhaustion.
IPAM integrates with Domain Name System (DNS) and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) to provide comprehensive IP address management across dynamic networks. IPAM solutions like SolarWinds and Infoblox are especially valuable in large organizations and enterprises with extensive networks, where manual IP address tracking is impractical and error-prone. With the increase of IoT devices and mobile networks, IPAM plays a critical role in ensuring network scalability and minimizing configuration errors.