The Problem
Managing IP address allocation across enterprise IT requires keeping two critical systems in sync:
- ServiceNow CMDB: Asset and configuration management
- Infoblox IPAM: IP address management
Manual reconciliation was time-consuming, error-prone, and lacked audit trails.
The Solution
Developed a Python automation tool that bridges these systems with features including:
Key Capabilities
- One-Click Operation: Single command execution
- Automated Reconciliation: Compares subnets between systems
- Change Tracking: Identifies additions, deletions, and modifications
- Auditable Evidence: Generates detailed reports with timestamps
- API Integration: Leverages both ServiceNow and Infoblox REST APIs
How It Works
The solution follows a straightforward process:
- Data Collection: Retrieves subnet information from both ServiceNow and Infoblox
- Comparison Analysis: Identifies discrepancies between the two systems
- Report Generation: Produces comprehensive reconciliation reports
- Audit Trail: Maintains complete logs for compliance and troubleshooting
Results
Before Automation
- ⏱️ Time: Several hours per reconciliation
- ❌ Errors: Manual data entry mistakes
- 📝 Documentation: Inconsistent
- 🔍 Audit Trail: Limited
After Automation
- ⚡ Time: Minutes per reconciliation
- ✅ Errors: Eliminated data entry mistakes
- 📊 Documentation: Comprehensive reports
- 🔐 Audit Trail: Complete with timestamps and evidence
Business Impact
- Time Savings: Dramatic reduction in reconciliation time
- Accuracy: Significant improvement in data accuracy
- Compliance: Full audit trail for regulatory requirements
- Scalability: Can handle enterprise-scale IP ranges
Lessons Learned
- API Understanding: Thorough knowledge of both APIs was crucial
- Error Handling: Robust exception handling prevents production failures
- Logging: Detailed logs enable troubleshooting
- Testing: Extensive testing in dev environment before production
This automation demonstrates how Python can transform manual IT processes into reliable, auditable, automated workflows.