Infoblox NIOS & vNIOS

Infoblox NIOS automates the error-prone and time-consuming manual tasks associated with deploying and managing DNS, DHCP and IPAM. By providing an integrated solution for DNS, DHCP and IPAM, Infoblox NIOS ensures continuous IP network availability and business uptime.

NIOS provides:

  • Naming services via Domain Name System (DNS)
  • Addressing services via Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
  • IP address management (IPAM)
  • File delivery services via File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) and Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
  • Time synchronisation services via Network Time Protocol (NTP)
  • Logging services via Syslog

NIOS runs on Infoblox hardware appliances and can also run as virtual appliance software (vNIOS) for Riverbed Steelhead WAN optimisation platforms, VMware ESX+ and Cisco Integrated Services Router (ISR).

Infoblox vNIOS for Riverbed Steelhead WAN optimisation appliances bundles a virtualised instance of Infoblox NIOS software inside the Riverbed Services Platform (RSP). It consolidates core IP network services and WAN optimisation capabilities to improve application performance and network availability in branch offices.

Running multiple virtual instances of servers and appliances on a single hardware platform helps to reduce the number of physical machines and delivers benefits such as reduced space in the data centre, power, cooling and operating costs.

vNIOS includes the full suite of core mission-critical IP network services: DNS, DHCP, IPAM, FTP, TFTP and HTTP.

Infoblox NIOS Features & Benefits

System Level
  • Sub-5-second hardware failover using VRRP
  • Hot upgrades and patches; no downtime when making software changes
  • Redundant power supplies in appliances
  • Instant replacement of failed hardware
Management Level
  • Management node failover to grid master candidate for disaster recovery
  • Local survivability during WAN outages
  • Wizard-based configuration with error checking to avoid common mistakes
Protocol Level
  • Anycast DNS for infrastructure efficiency
  • Enhanced DHCP failover for service availability
  • DHCP range utilisation monitoring and reporting to avoid IP outages
Management Automation and Simplification
  • Automated IP address management (IPAM)
  • Automated DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC) management
  • One-click system-wide software patching and upgrades
  • Integrated, centralised management of entire DNS, DHCP and IPAM infrastructure
  • Zero-administration database
  • Secure role-based administration for delegation and self service
Security
  • Hardened OS prevents root access
  • Easy, fast response to new vulnerabilities
  • One-touch software upgrades with no downtime
  • As member of CERT, Infoblox has advance notice of new threats and issues immediate security patches
  • Built-in DNS cache poisoning attack detection and mitigation
  • Extensive admin logs for easy audit/compliance
  • One-click zone signing and automatic key management for DNSSEC