Automated DNS workflows have transformed migrations and daily network security operations
What is our primary use case?
My main use case for Infoblox NIOS involves many applications. I started with Infoblox L1 level work, where I worked on DDI work with DNS and other things. Later, I switched to migration as well as upgrades. In my previous company, I completed the full migration from a Linux-based tool to Infoblox, where people were using Windows DNS as well as Linux. I have performed upgrades, migrations, and all other related tasks with Infoblox NIOS.
Regarding my main use case with Infoblox NIOS, I have completed several certifications, including CDCA and CDC, which have now expired, but migration was always my priority. I worked on migrations from Ansible, AWS Route 53 to Infoblox, as well as from Linux-based tools. I was part of the SolarWinds team managing load balancers, handling LTM and GTM both. In my current environment at Chevron, I manage both LTM and GTM along with Infoblox NIOS. I am involved in numerous projects, and using Infoblox NIOS in my day-to-day work has been comprehensive, as I undertake various tasks related to it.
What is most valuable?
In my experience with Infoblox NIOS, some of the best features include hybrid multi-cloud management maturity, which accelerates Office 365 performance. Infoblox NIOS is a networking tool that integrates security for hybrid and multi-cloud enterprises, demonstrating proven market leadership for over two decades. The engineering of game-changing solutions for core network services and security makes Infoblox NIOS the undisputed leader in the DDI market.
The hybrid and multi-cloud management, security, and proven market leadership features of Infoblox NIOS have helped my team significantly. For example, while working with Johnson & Johnson on earlier projects, the hybrid technology I utilized with Infoblox NIOS provided modern cloud networking and security features that were automated and scalable. Infoblox NIOS enables a resilient network resource through integration of DNS and DHCP, which allowed me to reliably connect applications across the business and manage critical network services efficiently.
Regarding the features of Infoblox NIOS, one standout feature is Response Policy Zones, which allows me to block non-working sites or specific IP addresses. Encrypted DNS is another feature, as well as global server load balancing, which I utilize along with load balancers such as F5. Infoblox NIOS also provides identity mapping for routing and switching. High availability architecture is essential, given that over 75,000 companies utilize it, which is why its cost is justified. Despite being a high-cost software, its capabilities warrant the investment.
Infoblox NIOS has positively impacted my organization in several ways. For instance, I migrated from Windows DNS to Infoblox NIOS due to enhanced security. Additionally, I implemented automation in Infoblox NIOS, using PowerShell and CSV scripts, which saved significant time and reduced errors. Operational reliability was enhanced through a central policy for DNS and DHCP changes, effectively speeding up delivery times and maintaining high data quality, which minimized discrepancies between spreadsheets and tools.
What needs improvement?
In terms of improvements for Infoblox NIOS, while it is already an advanced software, network visibility and control can be enhanced further. Simplifying IP address management could still be refined, and while scalability and flexibility exist, focusing on those areas might yield better results. While cost is relatively high compared to other DDI tools, Infoblox NIOS's support and utility justify it, yet there is always room for enhancements in security and DNS protection.
There are indeed areas for improvement within Infoblox NIOS. New security and performance enhancements, new partner integrations, and a smoother, upgraded experience should be introduced. Infoblox engineers recommend upgrading to NIOS 9.0.5 for enhanced visibility and control, but considering NIOS 9.6 may offer better logging and troubleshooting capabilities, as well as performance enhancements and future-ready integration.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with Infoblox NIOS for six to seven years.
How are customer service and support?
Customer service rating: 4 out of 10.
How would you rate customer service and support?
What was our ROI?
While I do not have specific numbers to provide, I conducted a session last month where I illustrated how my automation efforts saved considerable time and productivity. Previously, people spent around 100 hours a month on tasks that were reduced to 10 hours, freeing up time for learning and engaging in multiple projects, increasing from three or four per month to nine or ten. Collectively, this saved approximately $4,000 to $5,000 monthly, showcasing efficiency gains from using Infoblox NIOS features and automation.
What other advice do I have?
A specific example of a project where Infoblox NIOS made a difference was when I was working on a previous project where they were taking considerable time while working on manual tools with Linux. I completed a full migration from Linux to Infoblox NIOS, where security features were present. In my previous project with Fortive, a US-based pharmaceutical company, I migrated everything that was based on Men and Mice to Infoblox NIOS for both internal and external DNS. They wanted to move from Infoblox NIOS to AWS Route 53 for external DNS, while I kept the internal DNS in Infoblox NIOS, which was completely under my management. I used Infoblox NIOS in all these regions.
For others considering Infoblox NIOS, I recommend evaluating the complete DDI solution instead of solely focusing on DNS security. Moving from static IPs to dynamic IPs with DDI mitigates cybersecurity risks. I rate this solution nine out of ten and endorse it strongly for organizations seeking reliable DNS solutions, especially those utilizing IM, RADIUS, or TACACS technologies. Infoblox NIOS DDI serves as an effective gatekeeper for cybersecurity by blocking malicious URLs at the DNS level, contributing to optimized bandwidth usage across organizational activities.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Centralized IP management has reduced outages and now delivers faster, disciplined network operations
What is our primary use case?
My main use case for Infoblox NIOS is the services which it offers like DNS, DHCP, and IPAM. It is highly reliable and scales well in the enterprise environment. Infoblox NIOS provides centralized DNS, DHCP, and DDI management as one platform to manage the services and network automation. It also helps in IP assignments and for new VM provisioning and is ideal for DevOps and cloud environments. It makes the job easier. It also provides security to detect malware, phishing, and control traffic early before damage happens. These use cases are very valuable and are provided by the vendor.
How has it helped my organization?
Infoblox NIOS has positively impacted my organization because since we began using the tool, we have experienced fewer outages regarding IP conflicts, wrong DNS entries, and DHCP mistakes. We have achieved faster incident resolution due to the clear view of logs, and operational discipline has been implemented because of the one source of all IP address management and the speed and control it provides. All of these aspects are things which we should appreciate.
What is most valuable?
The best features Infoblox NIOS offers are numerous features I would like to appreciate about the appliance. The DDI solutions it provides and the DHCP management it provides are excellent. Among all these features, the control it gives to the engineers is something which should be appreciated. The control and automation it puts in place eliminate errors, speed up deployments, and ensure network reliability and stability. The single source of all IP management and scalability it provides, along with the logs and troubleshooting features, are all things which make the work easier.
Out of the best features Infoblox NIOS offers, I find myself using the IPAM feature mostly because every team depends on IP management for the network, server, and whatever VM they are deploying. Tracking these IPs manually is not feasible. Through Infoblox NIOS, IP address management at a large scale becomes easier, which also helps in resolving conflicts and makes audit and compliance easier. It solves issues by providing a single source of all IP address management, VLANs, and also prevents the duplicate allocation of IP addresses. The IP lifecycle is one of the most precious features it provides.
A specific example of a situation where Infoblox NIOS really made a difference for my team is during a major application outage when users could not access the internal portal. The network and server teams were blaming each other. Using Infoblox NIOS, the NOC team quickly checked the DNS record history and saw that a recent automated deployment changed the A record to the old IP. Because Infoblox NIOS maintains the DNS change logs and role-based ownership, the exact change time and the source were identified within minutes and the record was rolled back immediately, restoring the services. This minimized the impact of the outage and it was resolved within minutes. We were able to see the logs and roll back the changes without having to do the guesswork and the audit trail was clear. The post-incident review was quick and everything was quickly restored and the automation fixed it. The visibility and control which it provides is something we all appreciated.
How would you rate valuable features?
What needs improvement?
Infoblox NIOS can be improved because there is always a scope of improvement in everything. I would recommend UI simplicity. The UI is powerful, actually, but it feels heavy for new users. A more modern and task-oriented interface would reduce the onboarding time. Advanced features such as grid extensibility and APIs require solid training. Better guided workflows and in-product tips would help teams adopt faster. Reporting and dashboard are very interactive, but I think the built-in reports are functional but basic. More customizable visual dashboards would help managers and NOCs quickly see trends. The licensing clarity feels a bit complex. If the packaging were clearer and there was easier visibility of the feature uses, it would help with planning and cost control.
I feel that if there could be any feature related to role-based self-service portals integrated for non-network teams, that would help in reducing the dependency on the network team for other teams. That would help in collaborating better.
How would you rate room for improvement?
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Infoblox NIOS for around five years total, and it has been a great experience.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Infoblox NIOS is stable and is regarded as very stable and reliable in production networks. It is designed for critical infrastructure, high availability, minimal downtime, and predictable behavior. In our environment, all of these aspects have been proved correct.
How would you rate stability?
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Infoblox NIOS scales very well. That is one of the strongest features it provides. The grid architecture allows you to run not just one box, but a grid of appliances. As per the need, it grows and you can add more members. The grid also shares the load, data, and redundancy. Global and multi-site scales are also features it provides, all synchronizing DNS and DHCP and IPAM data across data centers and regions and branch offices. Regarding DDI, DNS and DHCP at scale, it handles millions of DNS queries per second and huge lease volume without hiccups. The IPAM for large networks is designed to handle thousands of subnets and millions of IPs. We are using the same in our environment as well, and it is working without any hiccups and issues. I think it is very much stable.
How would you rate scalability?
How are customer service and support?
Customer support for Infoblox NIOS is excellent. Whenever we needed any support in case of any issues, the engineers who joined our calls were professional and knowledgeable. They supported issues related to DNS, DHCP, and the grid architecture, providing not just scripted answers, but also helping us with configuration, outages, and complex troubleshooting. The support was structured and the documentation and the community-based knowledge are all very helpful in learning and self-service as well. When escalating any issue, the structure was very well-defined and the support which was given from the higher levels was also very good.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I can confirm that we did not previously use a different solution. We have been using Infoblox NIOS only since the time I joined the organization.
What was our ROI?
Regarding the return on investment for the deployment, automated IPAM has reduced errors by 60 to 70%. Incident resolution was faster by 40 to 60% as compared to previously. On operational effort, we have achieved 70% saving on labor cost, and also significant downtime reduction. This is helping us achieve five to 10 times faster delivery due to the reduced downtime, and also the near-zero audit preparation time because of the built-in logs and reports. A single DDI platform helps us with license and infrastructure cost reduction. It also scales to 1,000 appliances, which helps in future cost avoidance as well. The scalability aspect also adds up to the benefit. If we consider the ROI, we would say that it is approximately 300% plus.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
My experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing has been great because Infoblox NIOS supports multiple licensing models. We bought the perpetual plus support contract which provides renewed support yearly. The costs are priced per unit. For us, we got some discount as well since we have been using this tool for five to six years. For renewal of the license, we got some discount as well. The experience was great because the CSM which was aligned to our team helped us in deployment as well as in purchasing and getting the best offer available at that point in time. The experience has been great for a premium solution, and the cost is worth the use which we are doing for the tool.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Before choosing Infoblox NIOS, we evaluated numerous options available in the market for the same services. Infoblox has different competitors such as BlueCat Networks, EfficientIP, SolidServer, and Men & Mice. Both BlueCat and Infoblox are strong enterprise solutions when compared. Infoblox is the market player, as we studied, and also the transparent one. On the competitive edge, Infoblox has an advantage over the competition because it provides better security and uptime and scales better.
What other advice do I have?
My advice to others looking into using Infoblox NIOS is to treat it as core infrastructure, not just another tool. Design it with high redundancy and start with IPAM discipline. Invest in training early and automate gradually. Infoblox NIOS rewards structured thinking and long-term planning. It should be used properly and it turns network operations from reactive firefighting into calm, predictable execution. I would rate this product a 10 out of 10.
Reliable and centralized DNS/DHCP/IPAM platform
What do you like best about the product?
Infoblox NIOS provides a robust, centralized platform for managing DNS, DHCP, and IP address space. Its intuitive interface, built-in security features, and automated workflows reduce manual effort and errors. The reporting and visibility make it easy to track IP utilization and troubleshoot issues quickly.
What do you dislike about the product?
The initial setup and configuration can be complex, and the learning curve for new administrators is steep. Licensing costs can also be high for smaller organizations. Some updates require planned downtime, which may impact critical services if not scheduled properly.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
nfoblox NIOS has centralized and automated our DNS, DHCP, and IP address management (DDI) services. By eliminating manual spreadsheets and disparate tools, it gives us a single source of truth for all network IP resources. This has reduced configuration errors, improved uptime, strengthened security against DNS-based attacks, and saved significant administrative time when provisioning new devices or troubleshooting issues.
Excellent DNS AND DHCP server
What do you like best about the product?
It is a very flexible tool that can be integrated into any network environment, in addition to the fact that its reports are very complete and editable. It also has a very friendly environment in which it allows you to have visibility of what is connected to your network
What do you dislike about the product?
I have no complaints about this product, the only detail is that when you open it from a mobile device, the web interface does not adapt to the size, it is very difficult to manipulate it remotely
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
It allows ME to discover all the computers that are connected, the health status of each network segment, available hosts, even if you have dhcp configured, this tool allows you to set an ip with the mac of a computer, this is very useful in this type of environments
Infoblox recognized as one of the leading core network services provider.
What do you like best about the product?
NIOS is one of the solutions provided by Infoblox for core network services such as DNS, DHCP and IPAM services. It is a consolidated service managed as one in a single platform. Infoblox NIOS provides visibility across your network by consolidating data from DNS and DHCP services and eventually forming what they called the "single source of truth." which is the IPAM. It is easy to use in management since all configurations must be done on a single platform, even without direct access to appliances distributed across the network.
What do you dislike about the product?
Even though Infoblox provides robust DDI services and in terms of functionality, they are much farther from their competitor. The drawback here is how they price their product. The cost of their solution is directly proportional to their development. We are having difficulty positioning their product because of the higher cost. Sometimes, we prefer to offer another solution that can comply with clients' budgets.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
In today's network, most solutions reside on the cloud. If not started with the cloud, they are slowly migrating to the cloud because of cost issues and the benefits of having a solution in the cloud. Most clients are also moving to the cloud and planning on getting services through the cloud. Infoblox is currently solving this one on how they can provide the client's needs. Because this Infoblox NIOS is an on-prem solution, they are now offering the first cloud-based management of DDI. With the help of this, we have our chance now to position this kind of solution.
Infoblox Network Identity Operating System (NIOS)
What do you like best about the product?
NIOS provides a stable and all-in-one platform to deploy Critical network services such as DHCP, DNS, IPAM, NIOS helps us to automate all above services and tasks associated so that to ensure continuous network availability and minimal business downtime
What do you dislike about the product?
The licensing cost should be waived for the primary platform, all other services also involve a cost for licensing, it suggests to provide NIOS /UI free of cost
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
It helps to integrate DHCP DNS and IPAM in one platform and distribute it to remote locations which reduces management time and troubleshooting security issues
Best Solution NIOS
What do you like best about the product?
NIOS stands for Network identity operating system. It is a software solution; that integrates physical appliances and virtual machines. The solution provides DDI with the dashboard with three solutions in a single pane.DDI is also known as DNS, DHCP and IPAM solution. Both CLI and GUI interfaces are configured. I have been using this software. It is easily configured, and smoothly manner operated.
What do you dislike about the product?
I have used this product and implemented and configured this NIOS software. I can say that we have not any dislike of this software.NIOS is a Linux based operating system.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
Infoblox NIOS is a Network Identity Operating system. The solution provides DDI, also known as DNS, DHCP and IPAM. It is a Linux-based operating system. This solution is fast, reliable, secure, and above all else, it is accessible to the used solution. I have shared some benefits of NIOS Software:-
> Super fast response time
> Domains are managed on the system fastly
> Customer support 24/7
Infloblox NIOS: Automation in Networking Tasks
What do you like best about the product?
NIOS is a Network Identity Operating System from Infoblox, a virtual appliance. It automates many network tasks such as IP address management, DHCP (IP allocation)and DNS management.
What do you dislike about the product?
Nothing to dislike about as Infoblox is the best DDI management solution.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
To manage IP address inventory and DNS servers. It also helps to distribute IP addresses from its DHCP functionality. These all are mostly manual tasks that we can now do with so much ease. It also provides network monitoring.
The Best Solution NIOS
What do you like best about the product?
Firstly Say NIOS is a Network identity operating system. I have deployed the software NIOS is POC lots of customers install this software in VM Exsi and cloud environments.
This software is easy to use and .easy to deploy in the organization. This solution provides visibility of DNS, DHCP and IPAM solutions.
What do you dislike about the product?
I have deployed the software with lots of customers. There is no dislike for me; it's easy to use in the network. Lots of customers buy this software. It's an easy way to deploy and easy to manged this solution.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
The benefit is one admin console to manage the three solutions DNS, DHCP AND IPAM. There is no problem with nios software. It's easy to understand the client and run this software.
Excellent DDI solution
What do you like best about the product?
One stop shop for DDI and to build a secure enterprise dns environment spanning across geographies.
What do you dislike about the product?
The api could use some enhancements and better documentation. It's missing some basic functions which otherwise could have proved very helpful.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
Enterprise integrated DDI solution along with improving dns security.
