A company plans to implement network segmentations and use IP address inventory management best practices. Servers and end-user devices are using the same VLANs and IP subnets with manual address assi

Configuring packet captures and deep packet inspection is for traffic analysis and troubleshooting, not a first step for implementing network segmentation or IP address management.

Implementing deep network traffic analysis using NetFlow is for monitoring and understanding traffic patterns, which comes after segmentation is designed and implemented, not as a first step to achieve it.

Deploying an Active Directory server and adding assets for better visibility is related to identity management and centralized authentication, which is not a direct first step for network segmentation or IP address inventory as described.

Assigning separate hard-coded IP address spaces for critical assets, based on their role and function, is a fundamental step towards network segmentation. This isolates sensitive systems, making it easier to apply specific security policies and control traffic flow to and from these critical resources, moving away from a flat network structure.

Creating an IP address inventory database is essential for managing and tracking IP assignments and for identifying all assets on the network. Deploying separate role-based IP subnetting for users and devices, aligned with new VLANs, directly supports network segmentation best practices by logically separating different types of network traffic and devices.