Static subnets are the fixed range of IP addresses in the network that are assigned to select individual devices manually. Static subnets differ from dynamic subnets in one way: the IP address of static subnets is permanently assigned to devices, compared to dynamic subnets where the IP allocation varies from time to time and device to device.
Allocating IP resources via static IP and dynamic IP lease options is an ongoing IP address management process for organizations. Organizations utilize devices like routers, surveillance cameras, servers, and printers that require permanent IP allocations to ensure these devices are available 24/7. Static IP allocation is the ideal solution for these necessary devices. Dynamic allocation isn’t helpful in this situation because the DHCP server can run out of IP addresses for these necessary devices as they prioritize devices that connect to the network first. In short, dynamic allocation follows a first-come, first-serve rule.
Benefits of static subnets
Here are four scenarios that demonstrate why static subnets provide a consistent and predictable IP address range within a network.
Optimized IP resources
Static subnets allow only selected devices to be allocated with the specific IP address range to connect with the network and prevent other external devices from being IP leased. This ensures IP resources are utilized properly for the devices in need of continuous IP addresses and prevents IP exhaustion.
Network services hosting
Servers would require uninterrupted IP allocation for hosting both DNS and DHCP services in the network, and dynamic subnets wouldn’t be effective in this case. Static subnets help network servers stay connected with the network and host services without any compromises.
VoIP device support
Voice-over-IP devices need to be segmented from the entire network and require IP allocations without disruptions to function efficiently. Static subnets can simplify the process by allocating permanent IP addresses to those devices so they stay connected. This helps organizations support VoIP facilities with the help of static subnets.
Control over devices
Static subnets ensure that static devices like printers, routers, servers, cameras, etc., remain connected and consistently host their services in the network without disconnecting due to IP exhaustion or other network reasons. This helps administrators manage these static devices in the network.
Benefits of DDI Central’s static subnets in organizations
There are several ways static subnets ensure consistent connectivity and simplify network administration.
Associate subnets with VLAN
IT administrators can associate their static subnets with the VLAN by providing the VLAN name and VLAN ID which helps isolate the subnets from the rest of the network. This ensures only select request messages from static devices are received by the servers so that only these static IPs can be utilized by them. This also prevents other devices in the network from using these static IPs. Also, organizations can set up VoIP device support as they will have an isolated leasing process.
Import lease details
The lease details of the static subnets that were maintained in spreadsheets, can now be imported into DDI Central and managed by clicking the Import button on top right. This enables network admins to view the capacity of subnets and other details in the dashboard of the Static subnet tab in the networking page. This reduces the manual work of creating and configuring the same static subnets.
Mapping to supernet
With DDI Central, network admins can map static subnets to a supernet, allowing administrators to build a tree view of all network clusters. This hierarchical view enhances network visibility, making it easier to monitor, manage, and organize services across multiple clusters, thus improving network management efficiency, simplifying troubleshooting, and ensuring better control over IP address allocations
Pinging status of static subnets
With DDI Central, network admins can set up the static subnets and apply configurations for each, while they get pinged for the status (active or inactive) of the subnets usage in the background. This helps network administrators simplify monitoring the used and unused static subnets, so the IP resources get utilized efficiently within the network.
Enable specific IP allocation for selected devices with consistent IP resource needs with static subnets
ManageEngine DDI Central’s static subnets help network administrators connect necessary static devices of the organization, like surveillance cameras, servers, routers, printers in the network, and ensure they stay connected so that hosting services are provided without disruptions 24/7.
With the additional support of a VLAN, network admins can configure static subnets to provide a narrow IP allocation to those devices. This prevents other devices in the network from getting IP leased from the static subnets and reduces IP exhaustion in those subnets, efficiently increasing network services provided through these devices.
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