IP Address Management
IP Address Management (IPAM) is a methodology and set of tools for planning, tracking, and managing the assignment and usage of IP addresses within a network. It provides centralized control over IP address spaces, including IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, to prevent conflicts, optimize allocation, and maintain accurate network documentation. IPAM systems typically integrate with DNS and DHCP services to automate network configuration and ensure consistency.
Developers should learn IPAM when working in network administration, cloud infrastructure, or DevOps roles where managing scalable and complex networks is critical. It is essential for preventing IP address conflicts in large environments, automating network provisioning in cloud deployments, and maintaining compliance with IP allocation policies. Specific use cases include managing corporate networks, data centers, and cloud platforms like AWS or Azure where IP resources must be efficiently allocated and tracked.