CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

What does IP Address Management (IPAM) primarily manage?

1. Physical network layouts

2. Users and their permissions

3. IP addressing, tracking, and DHCP configurations

4. Asset depreciation

The correct answer is: IP addressing, tracking, and DHCP configurations

IP Address Management (IPAM) is a crucial function in network management that specifically focuses on the administration of IP addresses within a network. It encompasses a range of tasks including the allocation, tracking, and managing of IP address spaces. This allows network administrators to maintain an organized inventory of IP addresses, ensuring that they can efficiently assign, release, and monitor addresses as devices connect and disconnect from the network. Additionally, IPAM integrates tightly with DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) configurations, which automate the process of assigning IP addresses to devices. This integration helps to minimize conflicts and streamline network operations by providing coherent oversight of address assignments, allowing for scalability as the network grows. Other options, such as physical network layouts, user permissions, and asset depreciation, do not relate to the core objectives of IP Address Management. Physical layouts deal with the arrangement of physical devices in the infrastructure, user permissions pertain to access control within the network, and asset depreciation is a financial concept unrelated to IP address administration. Therefore, focusing on the management of IP addresses, tracking their usage, and configuring DHCP outlines the primary function of IPAM.