The Infoblox – Alkira Joint Solution integrates Infoblox's DNS, DHCP, and IPAM (DDI) services with Alkira's Network Infrastructure-as-a-Service (NIaaS) platform. This enables organizations to centrally manage and secure DNS, DHCP, and IP address management across hybrid, single cloud, and multi-cloud environments. The solution leverages Alkira Cloud Exchange Points (CXPs) for geographically distributed, high-availability deployment of Infoblox virtual appliances, providing a uniform, end-to-end networking and security solution. Learn more in the Solution Brief.
What core components make up the Infoblox + Alkira solution?
The solution consists of:
Infoblox NIOS DDI: Provides unified DNS, DHCP, and IPAM services using patented Grid technology.
Alkira Cloud Exchange Points (CXPs): Virtual points of presence that enable deployment of Infoblox appliances across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud regions, supporting high availability and Anycast DNS.
Infoblox Threat Defense: Delivers DNS-layer security protection using threat intelligence and analytics for both on-premises and cloud environments.
How does the Infoblox + Alkira solution simplify deployment and management?
The solution enables unified deployment of DDI services across cloud and multi-cloud environments with dramatically simplified configuration and management. Organizations can deploy Infoblox virtual appliances into Alkira CXPs across multiple cloud regions, join existing clusters or create new ones, and manage everything centrally through Infoblox Grid Manager and the Alkira Portal UI. This eliminates the need for manual, cloud-specific configurations and reduces deployment times from months to minutes.
Features & Capabilities
What key features does the Infoblox + Alkira solution offer?
Key features include:
Uniform and Simplified Deployment: Centralized management and configuration of DNS, DHCP, and IPAM across all environments.
Strong DNS-Level Cloud Security: DNS-based security protection against data exfiltration, ransomware, phishing, and DDoS attacks at the network connectivity point.
Consolidated Management: Single console for DNS, DHCP, and IPAM with integrated reporting and analytics.
Global Scale and Agility: High availability and resiliency across distributed environments, supporting disaster recovery and business continuity.
Enhanced Security Posture: DNS-layer security using threat intelligence and analytics to detect threats early in the lifecycle.
Does the solution support high availability and disaster recovery?
Yes. Alkira's distributed network infrastructure and support for Infoblox Anycast DNS ensure continuous name resolution and uninterrupted connectivity, even during outages or across multiple cloud regions. This is critical for disaster recovery and maintaining business continuity.
How does the solution enhance security?
Infoblox Threat Defense provides DNS-layer security protection using threat intelligence and analytics, helping to detect and block threats such as malware, ransomware, phishing, and DDoS attacks. Advanced DNS Protection (ADP) offers additional defense against a wide range of DNS DDoS attacks. Security is further enhanced by Alkira's integrated Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and next-generation firewalls. See Alkira's Compliance Page.
Can I manage all my DNS, DHCP, and IPAM services from a single interface?
Yes. The solution provides centralized management through Infoblox Grid Manager and the Alkira Portal UI, allowing you to configure, monitor, and analyze all DDI services from a single pane of glass.
What integrations are available with the Infoblox + Alkira solution?
Alkira supports integrations with a range of technology providers, including Cisco SD-WAN, Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet NGFW, F5, Splunk, ServiceNow, Infoblox, Aruba SD-WAN, Terraform, and Itential Automation Platform. These integrations enable seamless connectivity, enhanced security, and simplified management. See Alkira's Technology Partners.
Use Cases & Benefits
What are the main use cases for the Infoblox + Alkira solution?
Main use cases include:
DNS-Based Security and DDoS Protection: Protects against malware, data exfiltration, and DDoS attacks at the DNS layer.
Disaster Recovery Across Multiple Clouds: Ensures high availability and continuous name resolution across cloud regions and providers.
Centralized DDI Management: Simplifies management of DNS, DHCP, and IPAM across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
Rapid Deployment: Enables deployment of critical networking services in minutes rather than months.
What business impact can organizations expect from using the Infoblox + Alkira solution?
Organizations can expect:
Operational Efficiency: Dramatic reduction in deployment and management time for networking services.
Cost Savings: Up to 40% lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) compared to traditional solutions, with measurable ROI benefits.
Enhanced Security: Integrated DNS-layer security and advanced threat protection.
Scalability and Agility: Ability to scale networking services globally and respond quickly to business needs.
Who can benefit from the Infoblox + Alkira solution?
The solution is ideal for mid-to-large enterprises across industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, telecommunications, financial services, biotechnology, software technology, retail, media & entertainment, and aviation. It is designed for both technical (e.g., Network Architects, Cloud Architects, IT Managers) and business decision-makers (e.g., CIOs, CTOs, CISOs). See customer stories.
Pain Points & Problem Solving
What common challenges does the Infoblox + Alkira solution address?
The solution addresses:
Increased DDI Complexity: Simplifies DNS, DHCP, and IPAM management across distributed and cloud environments.
Security Vulnerabilities: Provides integrated DNS-layer security and advanced threat protection.
Cloud Skills Gaps: Reduces the need for deep cloud expertise with automated, centralized management.
Multi-Cloud Management: Eliminates the need for separate, manually configured Infoblox instances in each cloud.
How does the solution help with securing distributed workforces and applications?
By integrating DNS-layer security, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), and next-generation firewalls, the solution ensures secure connectivity for distributed workforces and applications, protecting against threats that exploit DNS and network vulnerabilities.
Implementation & Technical Requirements
How is the Infoblox + Alkira solution implemented?
Implementation steps include:
Deploying Infoblox virtual appliances into Alkira CXPs across multiple cloud regions.
Joining existing clusters or creating new ones using Infoblox Grid Manager.
Designing cloud or multi-cloud networking with high availability.
Managing configuration through Infoblox Grid Manager and Alkira Portal UI for automated deployment.
Deployment is streamlined and can be completed in minutes, significantly reducing traditional timelines.
What technical documentation is available for the Infoblox + Alkira solution?
These resources offer in-depth technical insights and deployment guidance.
Security & Compliance
What security and compliance certifications does Alkira have?
Alkira is SOC 2 and PCI-DSS compliant, demonstrating a commitment to securing customer data and maintaining robust operational controls. The platform incorporates advanced security measures such as Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and next-generation firewalls. Learn more about Alkira's compliance.
How does the solution protect against DNS-based threats?
Infoblox Threat Defense provides DNS-layer security using threat intelligence and analytics to detect and block threats such as malware, ransomware, phishing, and DDoS attacks. Advanced DNS Protection (ADP) offers additional defense against a wide range of DNS DDoS attacks.
Pricing & Plans
What is the pricing model for Alkira solutions, including the Infoblox integration?
Alkira offers flexible pricing models:
Consumption-Based Pricing: Pay-as-you-go based on actual usage of provisioned elements (sites, cloud instances, network services, network traffic).
Commitment-Based Pricing: Fixed pricing options for predictable budgeting.
Pricing is determined by the quantity and size of network elements, connectors, next-generation firewalls, and data egress. Customers can view live pricing details from the portal or via APIs. See Alkira's Pricing Page.
Support & Implementation
What support and training resources are available for the Infoblox + Alkira solution?
Alkira provides:
Dedicated Training Platform: Access detailed guidance, demos, and resources at the Alkira Training Platform.
24×7 Monitoring: Continuous monitoring to ensure SLA commitments and smooth operations.
Dedicated Support: Contact support@alkira.com or open a support ticket for assistance.
Diagnostics Dashboard: Live troubleshooting tool for visibility into network flows.
How long does it take to implement the Infoblox + Alkira solution?
Customers can implement a proof of concept in as little as 4 hours, with full production deployment typically completed in approximately 8 weeks. The drag-and-drop interface and automated deployment tools make the process straightforward and efficient.
Competition & Comparison
How does Alkira's approach to DDI and cloud networking differ from competitors?
Alkira provides a true abstraction layer leveraging cloud providers' infrastructure, enabling single-click provisioning and eliminating manual configurations. Unlike competitors such as Aviatrix (which focuses on orchestration overlays), Prosimo (application-centric networking), Nefeli (agent-based solutions), and Cato (SD-WAN focus), Alkira delivers:
End-to-end solutions for both cloud and traditional network use cases
Full-stack networking and security
Automated routing and unified platform for network infrastructure as-a-service
What feedback have customers provided about Alkira's ease of use?
Customers have praised Alkira for its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and rapid deployment capabilities. For example, a Network Architect at a large manufacturer noted, "The IT DIY approach was going to take 6 months to be secure and redundant and all. Alkira did it for us in 3 days, and at very low cost." Matt Hoag, CTO at Koch Industries, shared, "We had gone from a mass of complexity and months of work to a dashboard that allowed us simply to draw our network and deploy it in a few hours." See more testimonials.
Additional Resources
Where can I find more information about the Infoblox + Alkira solution?
Infoblox has partnered with Alkira to offer customers critical networking and security services across on-premises and cloud environments. Infoblox provides centralized, secure DNS (Domain Name System), IPAM (IP address management), NTP (Network Time Protocol), DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), and DNS security services. The deployment has now been dramatically simplified thanks to integration with Alkira’s Network Infrastructure-as-a-Service solution.
The partnership enables organizations to easily deploy Infoblox inside Alkira’s platform and use it to manage DNS, DHCP, IPAM (DDI), and DNS security in hybrid cloud, single cloud, and multi-cloud environments. Organizations can extend familiar Infoblox instances over various cloud environments using geographically distributed Alkira Cloud Exchange Points (CXPs) for a truly uniform end-to-end networking and security solution.
The Challenge
The drive towards digital transformation has taken many organizations in the direction of greater network and IT complexity due to increasingly distributed application environments and mobile workforces. As organizations move applications and workloads from on-premises data centers to single or multiple cloud platforms, they face significant operational challenges:
Increased DDI Complexity: Migration to cloud environments leads to increased complexity in DNS, DHCP, and IP address management while ensuring consistent and centralized operation of these critical networking services
Security Vulnerabilities: The increasingly distributed nature of environments creates security challenges that require integrated solutions
Cloud Skills Gaps: Enterprise IT teams struggle to overcome cloud skills gaps while working around networking limitations imposed by basic cloud service provider capabilities
Multi-Cloud Management: Deploying Infoblox across multiple clouds requires separate instances manually deployed and configured for each cloud, with different constructs and management complexities
Benefits
Uniform and Simplified Deployment Unified deployment of DDI services across cloud and multi-cloud environments with dramatically simplified configuration and management.
Strong DNS-Level Cloud Security Comprehensive DNS-based security protection against data exfiltration, ransomware, phishing, and DDoS attacks at the network connectivity point.
Consolidated Management Centralized DNS, DHCP, and IPAM management from a common console with rich, integrated reporting and analytics capabilities.
Global Scale and Agility Unprecedented agility and global scale with high availability and resiliency across distributed environments.
Enhanced Security Posture DNS-layer security protection using threat intelligence and analytics to detect threats early in the lifecycle before they spread.
Solution
The joint Infoblox and Alkira solution addresses critical enterprise networking and security scenarios through integrated DDI and DNS security services.
Core Components:
Infoblox NIOS DDI Runs on patented Grid technology providing a unified platform for core network services, including reliable DNS, DHCP, and IPAM for connecting all devices, applications, and digital resources across the business.
Alkira Cloud Exchange Points (CXPs) Virtual points of presence that enable deployment of multiple Infoblox virtual appliances across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud regions with different roles and high availability using Anycast capability.
Infoblox Threat Defense DNS-layer security protection for on-premises and cloud environments using threat intelligence and analytics, providing critical device and user attribution to speed incident response.
Key Use Cases:
DNS-Based Security and DDoS Protection More than 90% of malware uses DNS to execute campaigns, and DNS is often used for data exfiltration. Infoblox Threat Defense provides DNS-layer security protection, while Advanced DNS Protection (ADP) offers protection against the widest range of DNS DDoS attacks.
Disaster Recovery Across Multiple Clouds Organizations leveraging multiple cloud regions or clouds for higher availability benefit from Alkira’s distributed network infrastructure maintaining uninterrupted connectivity, while Alkira’s support for Infoblox Anycast DNS ensures continuous name resolution throughout outages.
Implementation Process:
Deploy Infoblox virtual appliances into Alkira CXPs across multiple cloud regions
Choose to join existing clusters or create new clusters with Grid Manager control
Implement cloud or multi-cloud networking design with high availability
Manage configuration through Infoblox Grid Manager while using Alkira Portal UI for automated deployment
Conclusion
The combination of Infoblox and Alkira delivers an end-to-end solution for securing communication across hybrid cloud, single cloud, and multi-cloud environments. By integrating Infoblox’s proven DDI and DNS security capabilities with Alkira’s Network Infrastructure-as-a-Service platform, organizations can deploy critical networking services in minutes rather than months, while ensuring strong security posture and simplified management across their entire distributed infrastructure. This partnership enables enterprises to maintain the benefits of familiar Infoblox services while extending them seamlessly across cloud environments with unprecedented simplicity and scale.
For more information or to speak with a network specialist, contact us.
