# IP address management (IPAM)

> Delegate hostname validation and IP address allocation to an external IP Address Manager

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Site [llms.txt](/llms.txt)

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An IPAM manages IP assignment, DHCP reservation, and DNS resolution for your estate. Connect one to Cloud Management Platform (CMP), map its networks to your resource handler networks, and servers built on those networks get their addresses from the IPAM instead of from CMP.

CMP includes four built-in IPAM integrations: [BlueCat](/docs/cmp/configure/infrastructure/networks/ipam/bluecat/), [Infoblox](/docs/cmp/configure/infrastructure/networks/ipam/infoblox/), [phpIPAM](/docs/cmp/configure/infrastructure/networks/ipam/phpipam/), and [SolarWinds IPAM](/docs/cmp/configure/infrastructure/networks/ipam/solarwinds/). The workflow below is the same for all four; each vendor's page covers its specifics.

To assign addresses without an external IPAM, give the network a range instead. See [IP ranges](/docs/cmp/configure/infrastructure/networks/ipam/ip-ranges/).

## Connect an IPAM

1. Go to **Admin** > **IP Management**.
1. Select **Add** and choose the technology.
1. Complete the form.
1. Select **Create**.

## Import and map networks

Importing brings in the network CIDRs defined on the IPAM. Mapping hands address management over: a CMP network mapped to an IPAM network delegates hostname validation and IP allocation to that IPAM.

1. On the IPAM's **Networks** tab, select **Import IPAM Networks**.
1. Select the networks you want and select **Import selected networks**. Existing entries are kept, so re-importing adds only new entries.
1. In the **Resource Handler Networks** column, select the pencil icon next to a CIDR.
1. Select one or more resource handler networks, then select **Save**.

One IPAM network can serve several resource handler networks.

## Enable orchestration

Each integration ships with a sample orchestration hook that handles communication with the IPAM: validating a hostname, allocating an IP address for it, and releasing that IP address when the server is decommissioned. Infoblox adds DHCP steps to that set.

On the IPAM's **Orchestration** tab, turn on the hook using the **Enabled** toggle. Nothing is delegated until you do. You can also edit the hook here if you need logic beyond the sample.

## Manage a connection

The **Overview** tab carries the actions that apply to the connection itself: edit the stored credentials, verify that CMP can still reach the IPAM, or remove the connection.

## Related

- [Import and manage existing networks](/docs/cmp/configure/infrastructure/networks/import-existing/): The resource handler networks an IPAM network maps to.
- [Orchestration actions](/docs/cmp/use/orchestration/actions/orchestration-actions/): How the sample hooks fit into CMP's trigger points.

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Section pages:

- [IP ranges](/docs/cmp/configure/infrastructure/networks/ipam/ip-ranges/): Give a network a range of IP addresses so Cloud Management Platform (CMP) can automatically assign one to each new server
- [BlueCat](/docs/cmp/configure/infrastructure/networks/ipam/bluecat/): Connect a BlueCat server to Cloud Management Platform (CMP) to manage addresses for your networks
- [Infoblox](/docs/cmp/configure/infrastructure/networks/ipam/infoblox/): Connect an Infoblox server to Cloud Management Platform (CMP) to manage addresses for your networks
- [phpIPAM](/docs/cmp/configure/infrastructure/networks/ipam/phpipam/): Connect a phpIPAM server to Cloud Management Platform (CMP) to manage addresses for your networks
- [SolarWinds IPAM](/docs/cmp/configure/infrastructure/networks/ipam/solarwinds/): Connect a SolarWinds IP Address Manager to Cloud Management Platform (CMP) to manage addresses for your networks