As 2024 draws to a close, we at DDI Central are thrilled to reflect on the innovations and milestones that that solidified DDI Central as the go-to solution for unified DNS, DHCP, and IP address management (IPAM). In January 2024, DDI Central was introduced to the world, marking the beginning of a transformative journey in DNS, DHCP, and IPAM (DDI). With our debut of DDI Central, we set out to redefine how networks are managed—efficiently, securely, and seamlessly. Looking back, it’s remarkable how far we’ve come in less than a year.
This year, we delivered game-changing updates that not only addressed pressing needs but also set new standards in DDI. Let’s dive into the highlights that defined DDI Central in 2024 and take a glimpse at what’s coming in 2025.
Highlights from 2024
Here’s a snapshot of the highlights that made this year remarkable:
Unified core network services management of Microsoft environments
Support for Windows DNS and DHCP management
DDI Central introduced full support for Microsoft DNS and DHCP clusters, enabling organizations to manage their Windows infrastructure seamlessly from a unified console. This was a game-changer for admins seeking centralized control and efficiency.
Enhanced security and authentication
Single sign-on (SSO) with SAML authentication
DDI Central simplified access with SAML-based SSO, enhancing security and usability for enterprise environments.
OAuth authentication for mail servers
We’ve introduced OAuth as an alternative to SMTP, providing secure and flexible email server integration.
LDAP and LDAP over SSL
We’ve also added LDAP authentication as an additional SSO option, making authentication versatile and robust.
User experience made simple
EXE-based installation
Deploying DDI Central on Windows servers is now simpler than ever with a user-friendly EXE-based installer.
Multi-language support
To cater to a global audience, DDI Central is now available in Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Dutch, and Chinese along with English.
PXE boot configuration
Configuring PXE boot settings is now faster and easier with user-friendly templates that simplify provisioning.
Optimizations and performance enhancements
2024 was also the year of speed and reliability improvements, making DDI Central faster and more efficient than ever:
Lightning-fast zone discovery
Windows zone discovery for 50,000+ records now takes only 40 seconds (down from three minutes).
DNS zone discovery for servers with 100 zones (1,000–50,000 records each) now finishes in two–three minutes (down from 25–30 minutes).
Management console speed
High-volume DNS record sets load in the UI within two seconds, compared to the previous five minutes.
Batch processing for bulk deletions
Bulk DNS record deletions are now processed in batches, ensuring stability and preventing crashes.
Optimized high-volume query handling
Improved query reading speeds and memory usage to handle large query loads with minimal latency and no freezing.
Chroot directory discovery
On admin consent, DDI Central now automatically discovers all necessary files from ISC BIND servers and converts relative paths to absolute paths, streamlining Linux based DNS operations.
Streamlined network management
Static subnet configuration
Users can now directly configure static subnets, assign IP addresses, and manage static leases without using spreadsheets, ensuring consistent network addresses for critical services.
Seamless integration with prominent cloud vendors
Migrating zones from third-party DNS providers is now effortless. Admins can now manage all zones directly within the DDI Central UI, eliminating the need to toggle between platforms.
Scheduled configurations and reports
Create and schedule DNS and DHCP configurations and reports, with the ability to download past report versions for compliance and change management.
What’s coming in 2025: Charting the course ahead
With the foundation laid in 2024, DDI Central is poised to continue its evolution through 2025, with a host of exciting new features that will continue its mission of simplifying and strengthening network management.
1. Advanced REST API suite
Unlock unparalleled automation with comprehensive REST APIs for DDI operations. Perform CRUD operations, retrieve detailed audit logs, and integrate DDI Central seamlessly into your existing IT workflows. These APIs will empower administrators to automate processes like lease management and DNS record updates while delivering real-time insights.
2. Built-in IPv4 and IPv6 subnet calculator
Simplify subnet planning with an integrated IPv4 and IPv6 subnet calculator. Administrators will be able to calculate ranges, identify available IPs, and minimize address conflicts, streamlining network design for both on-premises and cloud environments.
3. Enhanced real-time collaboration
With a WebSockets-integrated UI, DDI Central will foster collaboration by providing real-time notifications of edits, preventing configuration clashes, and delivering live updates for DHCP logs.
4. Real-time alerts with customizable thresholds
Stay proactive with a dedicated UI alerts page that will notify administrators of key events like DNS service failures, IP threshold breaches, and security violations. Customizable query thresholds will help monitor domain activity and detect potential DNS abuse.
5. Support for Stub zones and DNS forwarders
Managing Windows DNS zones will be more flexible with support for Stub zones and DNS forwarders, ensuring faster resolution and improved traffic management.
6. Comprehensive log management with Rsyslog
Centralized logging for Linux-based ISC DNS and DHCP servers will be enabled through Rsyslog integration, allowing admins to consolidate logs for advanced analysis, leveraging third-party tools like ELK, Splunk, or Graylog.
7. Multi-level nested supernets
Introducing hierarchical supernets for granular control and scalable IP management, perfect for large networks requiring efficient segmentation.
8. Enhanced DNS analytics and visualization
Detailed DNS query analytics will offer insights into query patterns, response codes, and domain activity. Rich visualizations and exportable reports ensure administrators have actionable data at their fingertips.
9. Bulk import capabilities
Speed up onboarding with bulk import of subnets, DHCP reservations, and host configurations using CSV files. This update will ensure quicker deployment and reduce manual errors.
10. Service reconfiguration for swift recovery
Seamlessly replace failed or ejected DNS and DHCP servers in Windows clusters with a single click, ensuring minimal downtime and uninterrupted service.
Closing thoughts
2024 has been a year of remarkable progress and innovation for DDI Central, fueled by our dedication to addressing real-world challenges and delivering meaningful value to our users. As we step into 2025, our mission remains clear: to empower network administrators across industries with smarter solutions, deeper insights, and unmatched flexibility.
