Comprehensive Step-by-Step Guide for IP Address Management (IPAM) Setup on Windows Server

Step 1: Verify Prerequisites

Before starting the IPAM setup, ensure essential prerequisites are verified. Verify that your server runs a compatible version of Windows Server and is part of an operational Active Directory domain. Additionally, confirm that both the DHCP and DNS roles are installed and fully functional. Once these requirements are satisfied, proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Install IPAM

Now that prerequisites are met, proceed with installing IPAM on your Windows Server:

1. Open the Server Manager Console and navigate to the Local Server section.
2. Select Manage from the tab, then choose Add Roles and Features, and click Next.
3. Choose Role-based or feature-based installation, then click Next. Select your server from the server pool.
4. Choose the server to install IPAM on, and click Next twice.
5. On the Features page, locate and check the IP Address Management (IPAM) feature, click Add Features, then select Next and click Install.

Alternatively, you can deploy IPAM via PowerShell with this command:

Install-WindowsFeature IPAM -IncludeManagementTools

Wait for the installation to finish and click Close. The next phase involves configuring IPAM on the server.

Step 3: Configure IPAM on Windows Server

After IPAM installation, you need to configure it for efficient file sharing and access management:

1. Select IPAM from the left pane in Server Manager, and click on the Provision button.
2. Hit Next, choose a database for IPAM data storage (WID is recommended), and click Next. If opting for another option, ensure to check the Create a new Schema box.
3. Choose Group-based Policy, input a GPO prefix in the GPO name prefix field, and click Next.
4. Review all settings, then click Apply to implement the changes.

A success message indicating that the IPAM provisioning is complete will appear on the screen.

Step 4: Set Up Server Discovery and Settings

The next step is to configure server discovery and settings:

• From the IPAM Overview page, select the Configure server discovery option, then in the wizard, click the Get Forests button. After a brief process, click OK.
• Utilize the drop-down menu to select the domains that the IPAM server will manage, then click Apply.
• Return to the Overview page, select Start Server discovery to begin the discovery process, and wait until it completes.

Step 5: Manage Servers and Settings

Once the server list has been compiled, add them to IPAM for streamlined management:

• Click on Select or Add servers to manage, then check the IPAM access link for incorporation.
• If IPAM access is blocked, open PowerShell as an administrator and execute: Invoke-IpamGpoProvisioning –Domain mylab.local –GpoPrefixName MYLAB_IPAM –IpamServerFqdn WS2K19-SRV02.mylab.local -DelegatedGpoUser [email protected]
• Open Group Policy Management and ensure the presence of the IPAM GPO in your domain.
• Run Command Prompt as an administrator on the domain controller and type gpupdate /force.
• Once done, right-click on the server, choose Edit Server, navigate to the Manageability status dropdown, and select Managed > OK. Again, right-click on the server and select Retrieve server access status to refresh its access status.
• Verify that the IPAM access status has transitioned to unblocked, indicating successful integration.
• Lastly, right-click on the server and select Retrieve All Server Data to import DHCP, DNS, and other vital data into IPAM for comprehensive admin oversight.

Now, you are ready to effectively utilize the IPAM console for managing your network’s IP address framework.

What version of Windows Server supports IPAM?

Can I manage multiple DHCP servers using IPAM?