Many organizations have completed at least initial deployments of voice over IP (VoIP) services within their enterprises, or as a service offering for subscribers. Many others are in the process of deployment or are in the planning stages for such a deployment. Pockets of further convergence of video, conferencing, unified messaging, and related IP-based communications applications are emerging within organizations as well. With much if not all of the organization's communications applications running over an IP network, the criticality - not to mention visibility - of maintaining uptime of the network increases dramatically.

Among the key elements underpinning the foundation of the IP network, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) and Domain Name System (DNS) are critical to proper initialization and usability of IP applications. There are many services and protocols used by various IP applications, but DHCP and DNS are used by nearly all IP devices for every application for proper initialization on the IP network and for easier usability for network users.

This white paper will offer approaches to streamlining efforts to keep IP networks up and running for critical DNS and DHCP services, then discuss the IPControl Sapphire appliances, which achieve the next level in protecting DHCP and DNS services.