QUT bridles disorderly DNS, DHCP servers

QUT had previously been using the servers with multiple operating systems to manage domain name (DNS), automatic IP address assignment (DHCP) and associated network identity services.

But reliability issues and administrative headaches with the setup caused headaches.

"Administering our old system was consuming too many cycles and the problem grew exponentially as we added new domains, applications like wireless, and devices to the network," Terry Smith, the university's chief technical architect, said in a statement.

Smith claimed that since deploying the new solution, the university has yet to experience a single DNS or DHCP-related outage. It is unknown how often it experienced downtime prior to installing Infoblox's hardware.

QUT purchased four Infoblox appliances with the DNSone module, which cost under US$60,000 (AU$78,300), Steve Moss, Infoblox business development vice president, told reporters at the NetEvents conference this week in Singapore.

Based in Brisbane, the university has 40,500 students and 3,500 faculty and administrative staff.

In related news, on Wednesday Microsoft Australia announced a AU$900,000 investment in an advanced research facility -- developed by researchers from QUT and the software giant.

While Australian Robert Thomas runs Sunnyvale, California-based Infoblox, the company has no direct presence Down Under, relying instead on distributor ACA Pacific. Prior to his current position, Thomas was president and CEO of NetScreen Technologies -- acquired by Juniper Networks in 2004.

Fran Foo travelled to Singapore as a guest of NetEvents.