In networking, managing resources is the name of the game, and IPs are some of the most important resources on your network. Having a reliable IP control tool to help manage IPs is essential for tracking the IP addresses you use and helps ensure that devices can connect to each other

Being able to log in to a web-interface and view available IP addresses beats scrambling through a manually maintained spreadsheet or list!

Here is our list of the best IP control tools:

  • SolarWinds IP Control Bundle (FREE TRIAL) IP address management solution that can discover and resolve IP address conflicts. Provides integrated IP and end-point management resulting in improved network reliability.
  • ManageEngine OpUtils IP address and switch port management software with IP address discovery.
  • ManageEngine OpManager (IPAM and SPM Add-on) Network monitoring software with an IPAM add-on. Includes reports.
  • Infoblox IPAM IP address management tool with custom reports and automated workflows.
  • Bluecat Address Manager DDI solution that can manage IPs and automatically provision IPs for new VMs and workloads.
  • LightMesh IPAM IPAM software with network discovery and user permissions.
  • BT Diamond IP Managed IPAM service that supports multi-cloud setups.
  • Gestío IP Web-based IPAM with support for IPv4 and IPv6 IP addresses.

Best IP Control Tools

With these selection criteria in mind, we identified IP address managers and switch port mappers that will help you to keep full control of your network’s IP address distribution and usage.

Our methodology for selecting an IP control tool

We reviewed the market for IP address management systems that will give you full IP control and analyzed tools based on the following criteria:

  • An IP address manager
  • The inclusion of DHCP and DNS servers or coordination with external servers
  • Systems that can also scan switch ports to identify connected devices
  • Identification of rogue devices
  • Updates to IP address pools
  • A free trial or a demo package for a no-obligation testing opportunity
  • Value for money from a system that will fully control IP address management at a fair price

1. SolarWinds IP Control Bundle (FREE TRIAL)

SolarWinds IP Control Bundle is an IP control tool that allows the user to discover IP conflicts. The software automatically discovers IP addresses and highlights IP conflicts, the systems affected and then reconfigures IP settings. You can use the program to manage IPv4 and IPv6 addresses through one centralized user interface.

Key Features:

  • IP address manager
  • Integrated DNS and DHCP servers
  • Switch scanning
  • User identification
  • Activity logging

With SolarWinds IP Control Bundle, you can search for an available IP address and edit the associated data. In the IP address window, you can manage the Status, Type, Hostname, DHCP Client Name, IPv6 Address, MAC address, and more. You can also add DNS records with further information.

The alerts system allows you to take a step back from manual monitoring without missing out on anything important. For example, the program will notify you if there is an IP address conflict or subnet capacity has reached a problematic level. Alerts ensure you stay updated even if you aren’t at your desk.

SolarWinds IP Control Bundle is an excellent tool if you’re looking for a one-stop IP management solution. It’s easy to use and affordable. The platform comes with SolarWinds IP Address Manager and SolarWinds User Device Tracker. You need to contact the company directly for a quote. You can download the 30-day free trial.

Pros:

  • Can quickly and accurately identify IP conflicts DHCP misconfigurations
  • Supports both IPv4 and IPv6 networks
  • Can manage assets by IP address, hostname, and MAC address for easier identification
  • Offers automated alerts to help administrators spot IP address conflicts and subnet capacity limits

Cons:

  • Designed specifically for sysadmin, non-technical users may have issues navigating the tool

2. ManageEngine OpUtils

EDITOR’S CHOICE

The IP Control Bundle is our top choice for network administrators that provides integrated IP and end-point management for improved network reliability. Detects and eliminates potential IP conflicts along with DHCP and DNS configuration errors. You also get to set alerts, real-time monitoring, and the ability to build a historical trail of network changes.

Get 30 Day Free Trial: solarwinds.com/ip-control-bundle

OS: Windows Server 2016 or 2019

ManageEngine OpUtils is a web-based IP address management solution that supports IPv4 and IPv6 IP addresses. ManageEngine OpUtils periodically scans your network to identify whether an IP address is available or not. The platform comes in a hierarchical tree view, which lets the user create tree nodes and add subnets to them. You can also view a table of the status of IP addresses and subnets detailing the last scan time.

  • IP address manager
  • Switch port mapper
  • Device discovery
  • Audit trail

When scanning IP addresses, ManageEngine OpUtils gathers a range of information including system name, DNS name, MAC address, status, owner, device type, and more. All of this information tells you everything you need to know about the IP address and the component it represents.

To create a track record of IP changes, ManageEngine OpUtils has an IP history feature. The feature logs the time and date of changes made to records including who the IP was allocated to and when. Pulling up the history of an IP is useful for having a paper trail to point to in auditing.

ManageEngine OpUtils is a cost-effective IPAM solution that’s easy to use and navigate. You need to contact the company directly for pricing information. The software is available for Windows and Linux. You can download the 30-day free trial.

  • Offers a suite of tools that provide WoL, IP address management, and physical switch port mapping

  • Gathers hostname, device status, and MAC address alongside IP address scans

  • Identifies new machines via autodiscovery, great for larger deployments

  • Available for both Windows server as well as Linux

  • ManageEngine is a large monitoring platform that offers a host of tools and features that may take time to fully explore

3. ManageEngine OpManager (IPAM and SPM Add-on)

ManageEngine OpManager is a network monitoring platform that comes with an IP address management and switch port mapper add-on. With the IPAM and SPM Add-on for ManageEngine OpManager, you can view the system name, DNS name, MAC address, device type, and state of IP addresses throughout your network.

  • IP address manager
  • Switch port mapper
  • Active Directory integration

You can also create reports that detail the status of your IP addresses. For example, you can view the number of Used IPs, Transient IPs, Available IPs, and Total IPs. These reports can be generated manually or scheduled. Reports can be exported in CSV and XLS format so you can share your findings with the rest of your team.

The tool also integrates with Active Directory. The integration automatically looks up IP addresses to see if they refer to Active Directory objects. If the IP address is connected to an AD object then you can view additional information such as OS Name, OS version, created time, last login, and more.

ManageEngine OpManager IPAM and SPM Add-on is worth considering if you’re in the market for a network monitoring tool but want to incorporate IPAM as well. The software is available on Windows and Linux. Paid versions start at $245 (£185) for 10-1000 devices. You can download the 30-day free trial.

  • Can automatically produce metrics such as unused addresses, IP conflicts, and available IP addresses based on subnet

  • Leverages both ping and SNMP protocol to detect device uptime and performance issues

  • Build an automatic network topology map updated in real-time

  • Has log collection capabilities, allowing it to provide much more detailed information than other tools

  • OpManager is a tool designed for IT professionals, non-technical users may find the platform overwhelming

4. Infoblox IPAM

Infoblox IPAM provides a central platform for managing IP addresses and DHCP servers. With Infoblox IPAM you can automatically detect and provision unmanaged devices in real-time. You can view IP addresses and MAC addresses alongside the device to which they correspond. The tool also supports Active Directory so you can easily match users to IP and MAC addresses.

  • Automatic device discovery
  • IP address management
  • Spots rogue devices

Configuring Infoblox IPAM is fairly straightforward. Use customizable templates to configure your monitoring environment rather than configuring everything from scratch. Features like custom reports allow you to take a closer look at the status of IPs in your network. You can even create customizable workflows to automate manual processes.

Infoblox IPAM is worth looking into if you’re looking for scalable IP control tools. Contact the company directly for pricing information. You can try the 60-day free trial.

  • Can automatically identify unmanaged devices, great for MSPs cleaning up new client infrastructure

  • Supports LDAP Active Directory integration

  • Can create customized workflows for repeat administrative tasks

  • Generous 60-day trial period

  • The interface isn’t as intuitive as leading tools on the market

  • Reporting is considered an add-on, and not included in the base product

5. BlueCat Address Manager

BlueCat Address Manager is a piece of DDI software that combines DNS, DHCP, and IPAM. Through the web-based interface, you can manage IP addresses throughout your network. The software automatically provisions the correct IP address and DNS name for new VMs or workloads.

  • IP address manager
  • DHCP and DNS servers
  • Address pool management

You can view a table of Active IP addresses throughout your network detailing the Host Name, Address Name, MAC address, IP Group Name, IP Group Range, Device, Lease Time, Expire Time, Location, and Description associated with the entity. Having this information on hand helps you to see what IPs have been assigned to what infrastructure.

BlueCat Address Manager is an accessible and scalable IP control tool that’s recommended for midsize organizations. The solution can be deployed as a physical or virtual server. If you want to view pricing information you will have to request a quote from the company directly. You can contact the company from this link here.

  • Interfaces from the web, making management accessible from anywhere

  • Can easily tracking DHCP lease times, used IP addresses, and device hostnames with little configuration

  • Can be deployed physically as well as virtually

  • Must contact sales for pricing

  • The interface needs improvement, could be easier to save configurations and navigate menus

  • More knowledgebase articles would be helpful for new users

6. LightMesh IPAM

LightMesh IPAM is an IPAM platform that can scan your network for IP addresses within your network. Discovered IPs can be viewed as part of graphical subnet visualizations that provide you with a top-down perspective of your infrastructure. You can also use the subnet builder to build your own subnet structure.

  • Subnet visualizer
  • IP address history
  • Manages large networks

The user experience is very straightforward. In one-click, you can allocate the next IP in a subnet. If you need to support a team of users then you can assign permissions to different users to control what infrastructure they can manage. Users can manage particular subnets and IP ranges to allocate resources as required.

To assist with auditing, LightMesh IPAM displays the history of IP addresses. You can view user actions or when the information was added. For example, you can see when an IP or subnet was added or removed. Having the option to view IP address history lets you track how your resources have been managed over time.

LightMesh IPAM is a reliable IPAM solution with a scalable pricing model. Prices start at $200 (£151.46) per month for two users, 50 subnets, and 10,000 IPs up to a custom price tag for unlimited users, IPs, and subnets. You can start the 30-day free trial.

  • Visually displays devices and subnet allocations neatly through a graphing feature

  • Supports team environments with separate user accounts and permissions sets

  • Can audit actions within the product for better accountability and troubleshooting

  • Better suited for larger enterprise networks or MSPs

  • Smaller networks might not be able to take advantage of the team features

7. BT Diamond IP

BT Diamond IP is an IPAM solution that manages IPv4 and IPv6 IP addresses. BT offers a managed service where you can outsource your IPAM management with 24x7x365 monitoring and deploy hardware appliances for PAM, DHCP, and DNS. You can also deploy virtual appliances and monitor them through the IPControl appliance dashboard which provides a summary of your infrastructure status.

  • IP addressing for physical and virtual systems
  • Managed service option
  • Cloud addressing

The service supports multi-cloud IPAM and comes with virtual appliances for AWS, Azure, Oracle VM, VMware, Hyper-V, and more. The range of cloud services supported makes BT Diamond IP a fit for cloud environments.

BT Diamond IP is a good choice for enterprises that want to take a more hands-off approach to monitor IP addresses and benefit from the support of a managed service. To find out pricing information on the BT Diamond IP service you will have to contact the company.

  • Offers the product as a tool or a managed service, good for resellers and companies who wish to outsource IP management

  • Supports multi-cloud environments for larger networks

  • An ideal choice for organizations that rely heavily on cloud-based services

  • Must contact sales for pricing

  • Manage service is likely more costly than self-management

8. Gestío IP

Gestío IP is a web-based IPAM solution that supports IPv4 and IPv6 IP addresses. The software uses SNMP to discover devices in your network. With Gestío IP you can view a list of IP addresses by going to the host list view. The host list view shows the IP addresses alongside other information including hostname, description, site, type, AI, comment vendor, and OS.

  • Delivered from the cloud
  • SNMP network discovery
  • IP address auditing

There is also an auditing feature, which allows you to view the history of networks and hosts. Here you can view a list of IP addresses and network events. Being able to go back to old events helps you to evaluate your IP management strategy and keep track of changes that have occurred to your environment.

Gestío IP is a tool worth looking into if you desire a free IPAM solution. It’s easy to use and has the basics to help you monitor how your IP addresses are used. You can download the program for free.

  • Web-based interface makes monitoring easy from any browser

  • Offers auditing across the network for network changes

  • Free IPAM tool

  • Limited features when compared to paid IPAM tools

  • The interface isn’t the easiest to navigate

  • Lacks proactive monitoring and automation found in other IPAM solutions

Which are the best IP control tools for you?

Managing IP addresses with spreadsheets is a poor way to go. IP Control tools and IPAM tools are a must for enterprises that want to discover and assign available IP addresses easily.

Our editor’s choice for this article is SolarWinds IP Control Bundle because it makes IP management seamless with IP address discovery. Other alternatives like ManageEngine OpManager OpUtils are viable alternatives and can regularly scan for new IP addresses to make sure you’re always ready to manage new resources.