Wacker Case Study
Wacker Chemie AG centralises IP and DNS Control, Reduces Downtime, and Improves Productivity with VitalQIP Software and runIP™ Appliances
Overview
The German-based chemical company WACKER has dozens of production facilities and offices around the world connected in a Wide Area Network (WAN) by a fully meshed IP VPN. But it suffered from problems with managing DNS, IP, and DHCP, much of which was managed locally. The company experienced frequent domain outages and IP conflicts, and because there was no centralised control, it was difficult to know what was causing the problem or how to solve it.
Additionally, the company wanted to move to a Microsoft Active Directory architecture, but it could not meet key required capabilities, such as dynamic DNS worldwide. To solve the problem, WACKER turned to Alcatel-Lucent's VitalQIP ® DNS/DHCP IP management software for configuring, automating, integrating, and administering IP services across the network, coupled with n3k Informatik runIPT appliances for an efficient solution to configuring, deploying, updating and patching their DNS and DHCP servers.
As a result, it has eliminated domain outages, IP conflicts, and name resolution problems; increased uptime; decreased troubleshooting costs; and has been able to deploy Microsoft Active Directory worldwide.
Goal
For Chemical manufacturer WACKER to centralise IP, DHCP, and DNS control, move its infrastructure to Microsoft Active Directory, reduce downtime, and improve productivity.
Solution
Alcatel-Lucent's VitalQIP DNS/DHCP IP management software for configuring, automating, integrating, and administering IP services across the network. n3k Informatik's runIP™ Managed Appliances, which provide a consistent hardware environment to extract the maximum benefit from VitalQIP investments. n3k consulting services delivered planning and integration.
Results
- Elimination of domain outages
- centralised oversight and management of IP and DNS
- Elimination of IP conflicts
- Reduced downtime due to IP conflicts
- Increased efficiency and productivity
- More efficient troubleshooting
- A smooth transition to Microsoft Active Directory
- Efficient upgrading and patching
