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Microsoft Windows Server IPAM
What it is
Microsoft Windows Server IPAM is a central suite for planning, deploying, managing, and monitoring IP infrastructure. It automatically discovers IP infrastructure and DNS servers on the network. From one console, administrators can manage DHCP scopes and failover, organize IP address blocks and ranges, and work with DNS zones and resource records. DNS records can be created, edited, or deleted through the console, while DNS configuration changes made there are logged automatically. IPAM includes built-in role-based access-control roles and access scopes. Microsoft’s training material describes installation on a dedicated member server using WID or SQL Server storage, with GPO-based provisioning for DHCP, DNS, and domain-controller discovery. DNS collection is limited to domain-joined Microsoft DNS servers; third-party and non-domain-joined servers are unsupported. IPAM applies to Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025, plus Azure Local 2311.2 and later. Windows Server 2025 Standard costs $1,176, paid once; Datacenter costs $6,771, paid once.
For and against
For
- Discovers IP and DNS servers automatically
- Manages DHCP scopes and failover centrally
- Provides DNS record editing
- Includes role-based access controls
- Logs DNS changes made in the console
Against
- Third-party DNS servers are unsupported
- Non-domain-joined DNS servers are unsupported
- Windows Server CAL is required
- Pricing is based on 16 core licenses
The verdict
IPAM centralizes discovery, DHCP, address blocks, DNS administration, and auditing for supported Microsoft environments. Its DNS collection limits and Windows Server licensing requirements should be reviewed before deployment.
Who it suits
It suits administrators managing Microsoft-based DHCP, DNS, and IP address infrastructure from a central interface. Deployment requires supported Windows Server or Azure Local versions and the described server storage setup.
Plans and prices
Windows Server 2025 Standard
Core-based licensing · Windows Server CAL required
Read 4 Oct 2026 · microsoft.com
Windows Server 2025 Datacenter
Core-based licensing · Windows Server CAL required
Read 4 Oct 2026 · microsoft.com
On the record
- Access control
- IPAM includes built-in role-based access control roles and access scopes.learn.microsoft.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Audit
- IPAM automatically logs DNS configuration changes made through its console.learn.microsoft.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Deployment and storage
- Microsoft's training module describes installing IPAM on a dedicated member server with WID or SQL Server storage.learn.microsoft.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- DHCP management
- IPAM can manage DHCP scopes and failover from a single console.learn.microsoft.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Discovery
- IPAM automatically discovers IP infrastructure servers and DNS servers on the network.learn.microsoft.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- DNS collection limit
- IPAM collects DNS data solely from domain-joined Microsoft DNS servers; third-party and non-domain-joined DNS servers are unsupported.learn.microsoft.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- DNS integration
- IPAM collects DNS zone and resource record data and can create, edit, and delete DNS records through its console.learn.microsoft.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- IP address management
- The training module describes managing IP address blocks and ranges from a single console.learn.microsoft.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Pricing basis
- Microsoft states that the Standard and Datacenter suggested MSRPs are for 16 core licenses and that pricing may vary by country.microsoft.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Provisioning and discovery
- The module describes GPO-based provisioning for DHCP, DNS, and domain controller discovery.learn.microsoft.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- IPAM is an integrated suite for planning, deploying, managing, and monitoring IP infrastructure from a central interface.learn.microsoft.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Supported versions
- Microsoft lists IPAM as applicable to Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025, and Azure Local 2311.2 and later.learn.microsoft.com · read 4 Oct 2026
