Windows DNS Tools
- DNS allows computers to connect to local computers or Internet computers.network image by dinostock from Fotolia.com
DNS (Domain Name System) is the name of the IP (Internet Protocol) resolution system, much like a phone book resolves names to phone numbers. Any time you want to access the Internet, you will need certain IP numbers to do that, like an IP address for the computer and a gateway number (the doorway out of the network). The DNS number is the first contact point out of the local network to an ISP (Internet service provider). - Basic diagnostic tools perform simple but effective diagnostics.laptop connected to network image by Arpad Nagy-Bagoly from Fotolia.com
Some basic tools are used for DNS operations. They can provide different functions.
NSLOOKUP (name server lookup) performs queries on a computer that hosts the DNS program. This program will look up network IP address information of computers on the Internet. You can also use it to convert a domain name into an IP address.
DIG (domain information groper) is another basic diagnostic tool that functions as a replacement for DNS nslookup. Many other tools use it because it has a consistent output format that makes it easy to parse, or break down, information automatically. - Diagnostic tools can also come in the form of a suite.organic network image by Dumitrescu Ciprian from Fotolia.com
Besides basic diagnostic tools, a range of tools are used to help monitor a DNS system. DNS Expert is a commercial DNS diagnostic utility from the software company Men & Mice.
DNS Expert is a comprehensive all-in-one diagnostic tool for DNS. It is a functional tool because the reports it produces are also easy to understand. Both network admins and network techs can use this.
It also performs other functions. It can do DNS, DHCP (domain host control protocol) and IP address management. Another feature is DNS analysis and monitoring, which shows which hosts are on the network and how they are performing. At this time, however, it is available only for Windows and Mac OS. - DNS management systems can have comprehensive network tools.networking image by Glenn Jenkinson from Fotolia.com
Another aspect of DNS control deals with network management. DNS allows computers to connect to other network devices. It tells computers on a network where the domain name services program resides. One program that can work in this capacity is Ganymede.
Ganymede manages network directory services like NIS (network information system, which is a network administration system), DNS and LDAP (lightweight directory access protocol). The Ganymede server contains a database of the network directory data, which users and administrators can browse and edit using a client interface.
NetInfo is a commercial product that has more than 15 network diagnostic tools in a centralized interface. NetInfo brings to businesses a way to reduce or eliminate network downtime. It works by letting network administrators, or web programmers, and ISPs accurately isolate fault conditions, simplify the processing of diagnostic data and increase internal network security.
