The benefit of running free DNS tests from Dotcom-Monitor is that you can verify the results from a non-cached, external independent 3rd party. The DNS checker allows you to initiate DNS traces from dozens of geographically diverse locations around the world. When a user is surfing the web, his client computer performs a dns query each time he requests a page, an image, a stylesheet and so on. This tool enables you to perform dns lookups easily, just enter a valid hostname in the form below and choose the type of query you want to make.
The DNS Records tool allows you to retrieve the domain name records for the domain name you provide.
Usage
Two versions of the tool are available. To use the basic tool, enter a domain name in the text box, then click “Go.”
When to Use It
You can use the DNS Records tool to diagnose problems with a domain name’s server(s). If your lookup of a domain name doesn’t work, you can use the tool to help find the root cause.
NsLookup
In addition to the DNS Records tool, we offer the more advanced NsLookup tool that lets you choose the DNS server to query and the type of records to request. If the DNS Records tool doesn’t indicate any problems but you’re still seeing issues, using the NsLookup to point to a different server may return helpful details.
NsLookup also lets you check to see if multiple servers are reporting consistent and up-to-date information.
A Deeper Look
The domain name system works by passing information from one server to another.
Authoritative Servers
The first server to “receive” domain name related information is the one to which the domain or its host belongs. This is the authoritative server. The authoritative server then propagates the domain’s information to the root servers and other servers around the world. This process can take up to a couple of days.
Many DNS servers will accept queries only for authoritative records, eg, requests for domains they own. If you don’t know who owns a domain name, you can query a public server for additional information.
Querying any DNS server that accepts your request will return the NS records. These will contain information about the domain’s authoritative servers. You can then repeat the query using the authoritative server to see if your results are consistent.
Root Servers
There are thirteen root DNS servers. They hold authoritative information on top-level domains using the most popular extensions like .com, .org, and .net.
They also hold the following records for nearly all domains:
- A: IPv4 address
- AAAA: IPv6 address
- NS: authoritative server for the domain’s zone.
Since the information they hold is incomplete, they’re used mostly by other DNS servers to find a domain’s authoritative servers. If information on a new or changed domain hasn’t propagated to the root servers, most clients won’t be able to locate the domain.
DNS Propagation
Propagation speed depends mainly on the records’ TTL (time to live) value. This dictates how long a DNS record will be cached on a local server (resolver). A lower value will cause the resolvers to updated more quickly.
Since domain records don’t change often, the TTL needs to be reasonably high. Typical values range from 3600 seconds (1 hour) to 86400 seconds (1 day). There may be an additional delay in making the records available on the authoritative server.
Interesting Stuff
Some facts about domain names and the domain name system over the years:
- Hostnames and domain names appeared very early in the history of the internet (ARPANET) because it is a lot easier to remember “network-tools.com” than “45.79.14.160.”
- The original idea for domain names, spelled out in RFC 811, called for one NIC Internet Hostnames Server with a Host Table. This, however, was not very scalable.
- The Domain Name System (RFC 1034) appeared in 1987. It was designed to use multiple servers and caching. Though fragile, this is (mostly) still the system that operates today.
- Occasionally, people have propagated false information through the DNS system. This is done to launch things like a denial of service attack on a server, which can shut-down large portions of the internet.
| DNSDataView v1.60 - View the DNS records of specified domains Copyright (c) 2008 - 2019 Nir Sofer |
See Also
- NK2Edit - Edit, merge and repair the AutoComplete files (.NK2) of Microsoft Outlook.
Description
This utility is a GUI alternative to the NSLookup tool that comes with Windows operating system.It allows you to easily retrieve the DNS records (MX, NS, A, SOA) of the specified domains.You can use the default DNS server of your Internet connection, or use any other DNS server that you specify.After retrieving the DNS records for the desired domains, you can save them into text/xml/html/csv file.System Requirements
DNSDataView can work on Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, and Windows 10.Older versions of Windows are not supported.Versions History
- Version 1.60:
- Added 'TTL' column.
- Version 1.56:
- Added /cfg command-line option to start DNSDataView with the specified config file.
- Version 1.55:
- You can now specify any variable inside DNSDataView.cfg as command-line option in order to modify the settings of DNSDataView, for example:
DNSDataView.exe /NSRecords 1 /ARecords 1 /AAAARecords 1 /TEXTRecords 0
- You can now specify any variable inside DNSDataView.cfg as command-line option in order to modify the settings of DNSDataView, for example:
- Version 1.50:
- Added command-line options to export the result directly into a file without any user interface, for example:
DNSDataView.exe /Domains 'yahoo.com google.com' /scomma c:tempdns.csv
- Added command-line options to export the result directly into a file without any user interface, for example:
- Version 1.46:
- Fixed the domains text-box in 'Select Domains' window to handle Ctrl+A (Select All).
- Version 1.45:
- Added 'Automatically extract domains from URL' option. When it's turned on, you can enter a URL of a Web site, and DNSDataView will automatically extract the domain from the URL.
- Version 1.43:
- Fixed bug: When DNSDataView received multiple strings of TEXT DNS records, it displayed only the first one...
- Version 1.42:
- Added option to choose another font (name and size) to display in the main window.
- Version 1.41:
- Fixed the resizing problems of the 'Select Domains' window - some fields remained in their position instead of moving.
- DNSDataView now remembers that last size and position of the 'Select Domains' window.
- Fixed the tab order of the 'Select Domains' window.
- Version 1.40:
- Added 'Clear Windows DNS Cache' option, which allows you to easily clear the dns cache of Windows.
- Version 1.35:
- Added 'Load Windows DNS Cache' option, which displays the list of all DNS records stored in the DNS cache ofWindows.
- Version 1.31:
- Fixed DNSDataView to work also on Windows 2000.
- Version 1.30:
- Added 'Get a PTR record for every IP address' option.When it's turned on, DNSDataView retrieves the PTR records of every IP address found in the other records.
- Version 1.26:
- When host name doesn't have IPv4 address, DNSDataView now retrieves its IPv6 address.
- Version 1.25:
- Added support for reverse DNS lookup (PTR records). You can now typea valid IP address instead of domain name, and DNSDataView willautomatically make a reverse DNS lookup for the specified IP address, by sending the right PTR request.
- Version 1.20:
- Added 'Section' column which displays Answer or Additional.
- Added option to fileter out additional records.
- Fixed the resize problem of the SRV check box.
- Version 1.15:
- Added support for IDN domains (Internationalized domain name).When you type a domain name with non-English characters, DNSDataViewautomatically converts it to its Ascii form and then submit it to the DNS server.
- Version 1.10:
- Added support for SRV records.
- Version 1.08:
- Fixed bug: DNSDataView stopped displaying the IP addresses after adding the errorinformation feature in v1.07.
- Version 1.07:
- Added new option : 'Show error information when DNS record cannot be retrieved'.When this option is turned on, DNSDataView will show error number and message for every DNS record that cannot be retrieved.
- Version 1.06:
- Added 'Add Header Line To CSV/Tab-Delimited File' option. When this option is turned on, the column names are addedas the first line when you export to csv or tab-delimited file.
- Versions 1.05:
- Added support for AAAA records (IPv6). This feature might not work on Windows XP without installed service packs.
- Versions 1.03:
- Fixed issue: DNSDataView failed to get A record of host name, when the 'NS' option was selected too.
- Versions 1.02:
- Added accelerator key for DNS Options window (F9).
- Versions 1.01:
- Fixed bug: On Multi-monitor systems, the 'Select Domains' window always opened in the middle of the 2 monitors.
- Versions 1.00 - First release.
Using DNSDataView
Dns Checking Tool
DNSDataView doesn't require any installation process or additional DLL files.In order to start using it, simply run the executable file - DNSDataView.exeHow To Check Dns Settings
After running it, you can type one or more domains that you wish to view their DNS information, and click 'Ok'.After very short time, you should get all DNS records of the specified domains in the main window of DNSDataView.
If DNSDataView fails to retrieve the DNS records, you should try to manually type the DNS server of yourInternet provider.
Command-Line Options
| /stext <Filename> | Save the DNS records list into a simple text file. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| /scomma <Filename> | Save the DNS records list into a comma-delimited text file (csv). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| /shtml <Filename> | Save the DNS records list into HTML file (Horizontal). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| /sxml <Filename> | Save the DNS records list into XML file. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DNSDataView.exe /cfg '%AppData%DNSDataView.cfg' | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Translating DNSDataView to other languagesIn order to translate DNSDataView to other language, follow the instructions below:
LicenseDns Lookup OnlineThis utility is released as freeware. You are allowed to freely distribute this utility via floppy disk, CD-ROM, Internet, or in any other way, as long as you don't charge anything for this. If you distribute this utility, you must include all files inthe distribution package, without any modification !DisclaimerThe software is provided 'AS IS' without any warranty, either expressed or implied,including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitnessfor a particular purpose. The author will not be liable for any special, incidental,consequential or indirect damages due to loss of data or any other reason.Feedback If you have any problem, suggestion, comment, or you found a bug in my utility, you can send a message to nirsofer@yahoo.com
Dns Reporting ToolsDNSDataView is also available in other languages. In order to change the language of DNSDataView, download the appropriate language zip file, extract the 'dnsdataview_lng.ini', and put it in the same folder that you Installed DNSDataView utility. Dns Tools Windows 10
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