DNS Monitor is a simple type of IPHost’s monitors. DNS, or Domain Name Service is the heart of Internet, since this protocol allows to translate human-readable domain names, email addresses and other network resources identifiers into IP addresses. Properly set up and fast DNS service is a must in every network.
DNS can be monitored manually with such tools as nslookup, dig, host et al. These queries can easily be automated, yet to monitor a large number of hosts requires automated means. Since many in intranet define their own zones, DNS service availability is vital. Absence of proper DNS monitoring may lead to connectivity problems within a network, up to total disruption. This is where IPHost Network Monitor can offer a ready to use tool to watch for possible problems.
IPHost DNS Monitor is simple to set up. After specifying the host name (address of a DNS server) and port (its unlikely you would change it) select what kind of monitoring you need. Currently DNS Monitor can test connectivity, as well as inquire A and MX records (i.e. IP address and mail server name) for given domain name (passed as request data).
You can also test the server’s response for validity: look for presence (absence) of a substring or demand the result to be (or not to be) an exact match of a string. Adjust availability and performance options, depending on DNS server location.
DNS Monitor can be used in many situations. Primary use is to make sure important records in a given DNS zone are valid. Since ‘DNS propagation’, when changes in DNS records are transmitted to all the caching name servers, can take a significant amount of time, DNS Monitor can be used to track when a given DNS change is updated worldwide. DNS Monitor can also be used to track MX records (vital for correcte email functioning).
IPHost DNS Monitor can be used as dependency monitor: if a domain name does not resolve, running more monitors on it isn’t necessary. Also, this monitor can be used as part of more complex combination, testing presence of all the vital protocols required for network functioning (such as DHCP, SSH and others).
Description of other features:
| Monitoring Features | Here you can find the list of monitor types supported in IPHost Network Monitor and brief description of their parameters. |
| Network Discovery | Helps you to create a basis of your monitoring configuration and automates the task of detection network hosts and network services. |
| Alerting Features | Here you can find the list of alert types (ways of reaction to the problems happened during monitoring) available in IPHost Network Monitor, and their brief description. |
| Reporting Features | Here you can find the list of report types available in IPHost Network Monitor with brief descriptions. |
| IPHost Network Monitor interfaces and structure |
Here you can find an overview of IPHost Network Monitor components, Windows and web interfaces. |
Comments are closed.