Disrupting DDI @ Networking Field Day (In Tweets)

Last updated: September 15, 2025

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BlueCat
BlueCat speaker presenting “What is Enterprise DNS?” at Networking Field Day session on disruptive, cloud-based DDI
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BlueCat Networks presented at Networking Field Day (NFD19) to explain their vision for disrupting DDI by advancing to Adaptive DNS, addressing real-world problems like inaccurate IPAM data and slow manual DNS/DHCP workflows in enterprise environments. In a technical environment focused on network automation, APIs, and unified data, presenters emphasized unifying DNS, DHCP, and IPAM as a single source of truth to monitor transactions, extract value from IP-related data, and improve deployment speed and security posture. The outcome highlighted by the talks and attendee reactions was that automation and Adaptive DNS can reduce manual errors, speed host record deployment, and provide stronger visibility for operational and security teams dealing with DNS-based attacks and complex networks.

What problem with traditional DDI did BlueCat highlight during their NFD19 presentation?

BlueCat explained that traditional DDI practices hold organizations back because many IPAM databases do not reflect reality—being largely manual and out of date—leading to slow workflows and inaccurate records. Presenters emphasized that manual processes can result in misconfigured PTR records and two-week host record deployment times in some companies. Their point was that unifying DNS, DHCP, and IPAM and applying automation can correct those inaccuracies, speed operations, and provide a reliable single source of truth for network teams.

How does BlueCat describe the role of Adaptive DNS and transaction data in network operations?

BlueCat positioned Adaptive DNS as the next level beyond basic query-and-answer DNS, where DNS, DHCP, and IPAM are unified to monitor DDI transactions and tell a story about the IPs behind those transactions. By extracting value from transaction data, teams can gain visibility into device behavior and security events (noting that DNS is heavily used in attacks). The presenters argued that this transaction-level insight, combined with API-driven workflows, enables automation and improved decision-making across IT and security operations.

What operational and technical capabilities did BlueCat emphasize for automating DDI?

BlueCat emphasized unification of the three DDI pillars—IP space, DNS, and devices—into a single source of truth along with robust API capabilities tied to custom workflows. They stressed that discovery must involve existing teams and tools, and warned there is no magic bullet for accurate data without integrating with current processes. The operational capabilities highlighted include monitoring DDI transactions, automating record deployment to dramatically reduce time to provision hosts, and using APIs to enable flexible, automated workflows that keep the IPAM database aligned with reality.

As first-time Networking Field Day presenters, the BlueCat team was thrilled to discuss the future of DDI (hint: it’s cloudy, plus a 100% chance of disruption by Adaptive DNS) with a dozen network-savvy delegates.

 

Kicking It Off

The Story: Disrupting DDI

This writer’s boss took the stage first, with a synopsis of BlueCat’s history. Did you know we began selling DNS servers in 2001?

BlueCat Company Overview

Jim Williams dropped some serious truth in his talk.

The Routing Table’s Kevin Blackburn had the right idea, too.

 

Oh, and this happened.

 

Then, we got technical.

Adaptive DNS evangelist, Jason Davis, broke it down.

BlueCat Why Enterprise DNS is Disrupting DDI

We all but drew it out.

BlueCat Mapping the Enterprise DNS Ecosystem

Probably good that we didn’t draw it out. Apstra’s Carly Stoughton was miles ahead of us in that department…

We did what we do best.

 

#NFD19 Was Sweet But Keeping Up With Everyone Will Be Sweeter

 

Enormous thank you and ‘nice to meet you’ to everybody from NFD. You’re one in seven-point-seven billion.

Published on: November 13, 2018

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BlueCat provides core services and solutions that help our customers and their teams deliver change-ready networks. With BlueCat, organizations can build reliable, secure, and agile mission-critical networks that can support transformation initiatives such as cloud adoption and automation. BlueCat’s growing portfolio includes services and solutions for automated and unified DDI management, network security, multicloud management, and network observability and health.

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