DNS Tools and Settings

Useful Tools for Troubleshooting DNS 

DNS Tools and Settings

The following tools are associated with DNS.

Dnscmd.exe: Dnscmd

Category

This tool is included in the Windows Server 2008 Support Tools.

Version compatibility

This tool runs on Microsoft Windows® 2000 Server, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Server 2008 operating systems.

Dnscmd is used to view the properties of DNS servers, zones, and resource records. In addition, Dnscmd is used to modify all aspects of the DNS Server service, including creating and deleting zones and resource records. Dnscmd can also be useful for developing scripts for configuring a DNS server.

Dnslint.exe: DNSLint

Category

This tool is a free download from Microsoft.

Version compatibility

This tool runs on Windows® XP, Windows Vista, Windows 2000 Server, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Server 2008 operating systems.

DNSLint is a Microsoft Windows tool that can be used to help diagnose common DNS name resolution issues. It can be targeted to look for specific DNS record sets and ensure that they are consistent across multiple DNS servers. It can also be used to verify that DNS records used specifically for Active Directory replication are correct.

Dnsmgmt.msc: DNS Console

Category

This tool is included in Windows 2000 Server, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Server 2008 operating systems, and is installed when the DNS Server service is installed. This tool is also installed with Windows 2000 Server, Windows Server 2003, or Windows Server 2008 Administration Tools Pack (Adminpak.msi).

Version compatibility

This tool runs on Windows 2000 Server, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Server 2008 operating systems. When installed from one of the administration tools packs, this tool can also run on Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP, and Windows Vista.

The DNS console is used to administer the DNS Server service. It can be used to modify all aspects of the DNS Server service, including creating and deleting zones and resource records, and forcing replication of events between DNS server physical memory and DNS databases. The DNS console can also be used to perform diagnostics on the DNS infrastructure of a network.

Eventvwr.exe: Event Viewer

Category

This tool is included in all Windows server and client operating systems.

Version compatibility

This tool runs on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 2000 Server, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008 operating systems.

You can use Event Viewer to monitor events recorded in event logs. Typically, a computer stores the Application, Security, and System logs. It can also contain other logs, depending on the computer’s role and the applications that are installed on it. For example, DNS servers write DNS-related events, such as any errors that occur while attempting to start the DNS Server service, to log files that can be read using Event Viewer.

Ipconfig.exe: Ipconfig

Category

This tool is included in all Windows server and client operating systems.

Version compatibility

This tool runs on all Windows server and client operating systems.

Ipconfig displays all current TCP/IP network configuration values and refreshes Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) and DNS settings. Used without parameters, Ipconfig displays IPv6 addresses or the IPv4 address, subnet mask, and default gateway for all adapters.

Netmon.exe: Network Monitor

Category

This tool is installed along with Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008, and is also available from the Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008 Administration Tools Packs.

Version compatibility

This tool runs on all Windows operating systems.

Network Monitor captures data about the packets on a network and logs them for subsequent analysis. The monitored data can be filtered many different ways including protocol, ports, physical addresses, and logical addresses. Network Monitor can be useful in many situations, such as when you are troubleshooting an environment that has a firewall between a DNS server and a client, or between two DNS servers.

Network Monitor comes in two versions: the Network Monitor that is provided as part of the Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008 operating systems, and the Network Monitor that is part of Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS). The version of Network Monitor that is included with the Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008 operating systems only captures data about network packets being sent to or from the server on which you run Network Monitor; it also captures data about network broadcasts that are received. The Network Monitor that is included with SMS enables you to monitor all network packets on a network segment.

Nslookup.exe: Nslookup

Category

This tool is included in all Windows server and client operating systems.

Version compatibility

This tool runs on all Windows server and client operating systems.

Nslookup is used to query DNS servers and to obtain detailed responses. The information obtained using Nslookup can be used to diagnose and solve name resolution problems, verify that resource records are added or updated correctly in a zone, and debug other server-related problems.

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• About DNS and Windows Active Directory (pcrepairnorthshore.com)