Who Uses LightMesh?
LightMesh is used by small teams moving off spreadsheets, organizations replacing legacy IPAM tools, and enterprises managing complex, distributed networks. Common users include network engineers, cloud teams, DevOps, telcos, ISPs, and regulated organizations operating across cloud, hybrid, and on-prem environments.
Why Use LightMesh?
Teams use LightMesh to:
- Centralize IP address management with a single source of truth for IPv4 and IPv6 across cloud, hybrid, and on-prem environments
- Eliminate spreadsheet-driven IP tracking and reduce errors with structured data, conflict detection, and capacity awareness
- Plan and visualize subnet architecture using purpose-built tools for address space design and long-term growth
- Automate IP workflows via an API-first architecture that integrates with CI/CD pipelines, Terraform, and infrastructure tooling
- Detect conflicts and utilization risks early through automated discovery, monitoring, and alerting
- Scale without operational complexity, supporting everything from small teams to large, distributed enterprise networks
Importing & Integration
Can LightMesh import existing network data from spreadsheets?
Yes, subnets and address allocations can be imported from spreadsheets in .csv, .xls, and .xlsx formats, makeing it easy to migrate from spreadsheets or legacy IPAM tools. Learn more here
Does LightMesh support discovery of hosts across my existing network?
Additional IP discovery can be done using NMAP network scans integrated with LightMesh, allowing teams to discover active hosts and IP usage.
How does LightMesh integrate with existing DNS servers?
LightMesh isn’t a DNS or DHCP server but allows importing DNS records for IP address visibility. Most users focus on the IP address-centric view to see associated DNS entries, enriching security logs, audits, and IP planning.
How do customers bring in DNS and DHCP data from existing systems?
Customers typically use scripts to pull DNS/DHCP data from domain controllers or appliances and push it into LightMesh via the API or CLI tools.
How does LightMesh retrieve Azure network information?
LightMesh integrates through an Azure Service Principal (SPN) to read virtual network and subnet configurations via the Azure control plane.
How does LightMesh retrieve AWS network information?
LightMesh uses CloudFormation Templates to assume a read-only role on AWS accounts that you want to include.
Can LightMesh provision subnets in Azure or AWS?
No, LightMesh provides IP address visibility and management, but does not handle subnet provisioning. That is managed within Azure or AWS.
Deployment Options
Does LightMesh offer a On-Premises (self-hosted) version?
Yes, on-premises is available to our Enterprise customers. LightMesh can be deployed on-premises or in private cloud environments.
What deployment options are available for LightMesh?
LightMesh is a SaaS service, available at next.lightmesh.com and can also be deployed in your own cloud tenant or on-premises. For self-hosted customers, LightMesh is distributed as docker containers and an example deployment script is provided for fresh Ubuntu hosts.
Do you have customers deploying in Kubernetes environments?
Most self-hosted customers use the provided docker-compose.yml deployment setup, often on dedicated VMs. However, the architecture fully supports Kubernetes for those capable of managing their own clusters.
How scalable is the on-premises deployment?
On-Premises deployement is highly scalable. The service layer is lightweight and stateless, while PostgreSQL databases can scale as needed and supports high-availability (HA) deployments. Large deployments, with hundreds of users, millions of IPs across thousands of locations, run smoothly with only modest compute requirements.
How is the Enterprise version licensed?
LightMesh Enterprise is licensed annually, with incentives for multi-year terms. Licenses are calculated using the same dimensions as the self-service options: the number of IPs in use, and number of users (including read only).
API & Automation
How do customers use the API?
Primarily for automated workflows, such as allocating subnets during CI/CD deployments. DevOps teams often script against the API to integrate with tools like Terraform or Ansible, and security teams enrich event data by querying the API for more information about IP addresses that appear in their logs/SIEM. Link to the guide LightMesh GraphQL API Documentation
What role does the API play in automation?
The API enables teams to automate IP allocations, integrate with Terraform and GitHub, and eliminate manual processes when provisioning servers.
Does LightMesh integrate with ServiceNow?
LightMesh does not currently offer a native ServiceNow integration. However, many customers use the API to connect LightMesh with ServiceNow workflows.
Can LightMesh be used in a cloud vending machine-style automation workflows?
Yes, customers have used the API to integrate with cloud provisioning processes via service accounts and key management.
Features & Capabilities
What customization options are available within LightMesh?
LightMesh supports custom schema fields, allowing teams to track attributes such as device models, ownership, or site-specific metadata.
Can schemas for subnets or IP assignments be customized?
Yes. Custom fields are supported, particularly in IP assignments, enabling flexible and tailored data organization.
Do customers use LightMesh for large distributed environments?
Yes, LightMesh works well for tracking both unique and overlapping subnets across network zones, ensuring no conflicts while supporting complex, distributed setups. Telco, enterprise, government are all customer segments we work with today.
How do customers manage IP allocations across multiple sites and VRFs or routing zones?
LightMesh provides visibility into sites and zones, ensuring unique address spaces within zones while supporting intentional overlapping subnets across different locations.
Can LightMesh reserve a continuous block of IPs?
Yes, by specifying a range like 10.100.0.0-20 when reserving IPs.
Can overlapping address spaces be handled?
Yes. LightMesh detects and flags conflicts, allowing users to accept, reject, or ignore them based on policy.
Security & Compliance
Does LightMesh support Single Sign-On (SSO)?
Yes. LightMesh supports SSO authentication, enabling secure access through your existing identity provider.
How does LightMesh handle user permissions and access control?
The Enterprise edition offers role-based access control (RBAC), allowing administrators to assign different levels of access to various users and groups, ensuring security and compliance. See the full feature list here.
Is LightMesh suitable for regulated or high-compliance environments?
Yes. LightMesh is used by regulated enterprises, government organizations, and teams with strict compliance requirements. Deployment flexibility (SaaS or self-hosted) allows customers to meet internal security and regulatory needs.
How does Tidal ensure ongoing security?
Tidal uses continuous security monitoring, automated security checks, regular penetration testing, and annual SOC 2 Type II audits. Learn more.
Comparisons & Use Cases
What kind of customers benefit most from LightMesh?
Organizations with high compliance needs, cloud migration initiatives, and those looking to simplify IP address management without complex training requirements benefit most from LightMesh. This includes small teams transitioning from spreadsheets, organizations replacing legacy IPAM tools, and larger enterprises managing distributed, multi-site, or hybrid environments that need accurate IP visibility with low operational overhead.
Can LightMesh help with network migrations?
Yes, LightMesh supports network and IPAM migrations by providing clear visibility and tracking throughout the process.
What makes LightMesh different from competitors?
LightMesh is cloud-native, SaaS-first, and API-first, built on a modern GraphQL API. LightMesh is a new generation of IPAM solution that is designed to be integrated with demanding DevOps teams.
Customers migrating from legacy IPAM platforms often tell us that competing tools treat APIs as an afterthought—they’re slow, incomplete, and difficult to integrate into real workflows. LightMesh was built differently, with the API as a core part of the product, not an add-on.
LightMesh can be used immediately—teams can sign up and start tracking IPs right away without professional services or sales engagement. In addition to SaaS, self-hosted containers and VMs are available for enterprise customers. LightMesh also uniquely scales from a single Pro-user to enterprise environments with millions of IPs, using the same platform.
How does LightMesh compare to Device42?
LightMesh focuses on IP address management, offering simpler setup and a more intuitive interface, while Device42 is primarily focused on dependency mapping and CMDB use cases.
How easy is it to migrate from Infoblox or SolarWinds?
The team at LightMesh has helped many organizations migrate from Infoblox and SolarWinds, which is why we created a 5-step migration guide. Teams are surprised by how quickly they can move off legacy IPAM tools and get fully operational in LightMesh.
Licensing & Pricing
What does the licensing model look like for LightMesh?
LightMesh licensing is based on the number of IP addresses in use and the number of IPAM users. There are various plans, including team and enterprise options, with multiyear contract discounts available. View plans here. For custom pricing, scroll down past the plan details and submit the request form with the required information.
How long does the free trial last?
The free LightMesh trial lasts 14 days, with an option to extend based on customer needs.
Delivery and Execution
What is your current process for delivering services/product?
- SaaS - self-service: Customers can sign up and starting using LightMesh immediately at https://next.lightmesh.com/register Product overview at webpage.
- Annual & Multi-year (discounted) Contracts: Discounted multi-year subscriptions are available. For custom pricing or enterprise requiresments, submit the request form at the above link or contact sales.
- Self-hosted Deployments: Enterprise customers can deploy LightMesh in their own environment using container-based deployments, packaged for virtual machines or private cloud infrastructure.
How do you ensure quality and consistency in your service/product delivery?
- Updates are deployed daily and the development team responds quickly to customer feedback and requirements.
- Security checks are automated throughout our development lifecycle, complemented by regular penetration testing and annual SOC2-Type 2 compliance audits.
- As a cloud-native company, Tidal applies best practices for cloud security across our platforms and operations.
Customer Adoption & History
How long has LightMesh been around?
LightMesh was originally launched in 2012 and redeveloped with a modern API-first approach to meet evolving customer needs in 2025.
How many companies use LightMesh today?
Hundreds of companies actively use LightMesh across various industries from small teams to large enterprises and government organizations.
What is your core mission and vision?
Tidal’s mission is to support enterprises in transitioning to cloud-native organizations who are agile and efficient. Our vision is to provide the software required to plan and proactively modernize their applications and networks, in order to take advantage of new technologies as they present themselves.
What outcomes do your clients typically achieve from your services?
- They achieve clarity on how their IP space(s) are allocated, across their various geographical locations and cloud environments.
- More easily troubleshoot network issues, as entire teams can rapidly lookup what IP addresses are used for what business service.
- Enrich log files via API queries to LightMesh for information about IPs, dramatically improving security incident response times.
- Empower teams to self-provision in the cloud with pre-planned address space buckets, integrating LightMesh IPAM into their CI/CD pipelines.
- Replace their Infoblox, SolarWinds, Manage Engine, hundreds of spreadsheets and other IPAM products with one that is easy to use, has a fast API and a fanatical support team.
Looking for more detailed guidance? Explore the LightMesh documentation and step-by-step guides.
LightMesh is a modern IPAM platform from Tidal for cloud, hybrid, and on-prem networks.
Scalable simplicity.