The NSQ package is available on all Infoblox appliance platforms, except the Infoblox-250.

The Infoblox Network Services for Alcatel-Lucent VitalQIP Software package (NSQ) combines Infoblox’s network appliance and distributed grid management technologies with Alcatel-Lucent’s award-winning VitalQIP® IP address management software. The joint solution yields scalability, management, security, and cost-reduction advantages.

In order to ensure high availability and performance for domain name system (DNS) and dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) services, most organizations distribute these critical services across multiple sites using software deployed on a collection of general-purpose hardware platforms and operating systems. Installing, securing, managing, and updating these distributed servers places a significant burden on IT staff and increases the operational costs for delivering DNS, DHCP, and IPAM services.

The Appliance Imperative

In today’s network environment, providing nonstop DNS and DHCP services is essential. This is why appliance delivery of these services has become a recommended industry best practice. Appliance-based approaches for delivering critical network services are inherently more reliable, manageable, scalable, and secure than architectures based on general-purpose servers and operating systems. Purpose-built appliances consolidate core network services into a unified architecture that simplifies deployment, reduces operational costs, and dramatically lowers security risks. This is why industry analysts such as IDC recommend the use of appliances specifically to address DNS/DHCP issues in the network. (Source: IDC Report: “The Business Case for IP Address Management.” Oct. 2005.)

The Solution

The Infoblox NSQ software package delivers a centrally managed, appliance-based solution for nonstop, end-to-end DNS/DHCP/IPAM service delivery.

Enterprise-Class IPAM with Appliance-based Deployment
The NSQ software package brings together the benefits of Alcatel-Lucent’s industry-leading VitalQIP IP address management software with Infoblox appliance and grid technologies for deploying and managing robust Infoblox grids. With the Infoblox solution, the VitalQIP Remote Server software is deployed on Infoblox appliances equipped with the Infoblox integration module for Alcatel-Lucent VitalQIP software and the Infoblox grid module. .

The Infoblox grid module enables a collection of Infoblox appliances to function as a unified system called an Infoblox grid. Properties of Infoblox grids include unified management, one-touch distribution of software updates, centralized hardware management, and consolidated logging and reporting.

For each release of VitalQIP software, the appropriate remote server software components (VitalQIP DNS server / VitalQIP DHCP server) are securely packaged into distribution bundles that can be uploaded to any appliances that serve as a grid master. The server distribution bundles provide a seamless integration between the appliance and the central VitalQIP Enterprise Server (ES) software, which supports configuration management for DNS and DHCP services and provides comprehensive IPAM reporting and control functions.

Each server distribution bundle is pre-tested on Infoblox appliances for each version number and delivered in a digitally signed binary file to reduce deployment, version control, and upgrade challenges. Administrators can elect to deploy a single version of server software across all grid members or can deploy different versions to groups of appliances. This enables, for example, staged rollouts of new software versions. Additional core network services—such as TFTP file transfer for supporting voice over IP (VoIP) deployments, and NTP for secure network time synchronization—are also provided in the NSQ software package.
 

Benefits

• Greatly reduced operating costs and compelling ROI compared with deployment on general-purpose servers
• Simple drop-in solution – completely transparent to Lucent enterprise server “head end”
• No changes to administrative processes – DNS/DHCP/IPAM is performed from VitalQIP Enterprise Server
• Single point of management for managing and monitoring remote server software and deploying software updates
• Excellent solution for VoIP deployments – includes centrally managed TFTP services for IP phone firmware and configuration file delivery
• Elimination of major security vulnerabilities through hardened appliance operating system, and reduced security patching
• Version control ensured through remote server distribution bundles
• Ability to support redundant, high-availability (HA) appliance pairs at remote locations for increased availability
• Support for User Exits to modify the DNS and DHCP after the data has been replicated from the Enterprise Server to the Infoblox appliance
• Restricted shell access to the appliance for trouble shooting the VitalQIP servers

VitalQIP Version Support
	7.1 7.0 6.2 6.1 SP1 6.1 6.0 SP1 6.0

VitalQIP Add-on Module Support
	Audit Manager SNMP Module LDRM DHCP API

Part Numbers
	Descriptions Infoblox-550 with NSQ Software Package IB-550-VIM Infoblox-1050 with NSQ Software Package IB-1050-VIM Infoblox-1550 with NSQ Software Package IB-1550-VIM Infoblox-1552 with NSQ Software Package IB-1552-VIM Infoblox-2000 with NSQ Software Package IB-2000-VIM

Infoblox product warranty and services

The standard hardware warranty is for a period of one year. The system software has a 90-day warranty that will meet published specifications. Optional service products are also available that extend the hardware and software warranty. These products are recommended to ensure the appliance is kept updated with the latest software enhancements and to ensure the security and availability of the system. Professional services and training courses are also available from Infoblox. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Infoblox Inc. assumes no responsibility for errors that appear in this document.