Testing the DNS Service

After your DNS server is installed and configured, you'll probably want to perform a few simple tests to verify that the name resolutions are functioning as they should.

One of the tools you can use to test your DNS server (as well as troubleshoot problems as they arise) is the NSLookup command. Using this command, you can send forward and reverse queries to your DNS server.

For a complete list of available options, type nslookup /? at the command prompt.

If you perform a forward query against the DNS server, the results should return the IP address associated with the hostname you specified (for example, nslookup server1.bayside.net ). When performing a reverse query, the DNS server is queried to determine the hostname associated with a particular IP address (for example, nslookup 192.168.1.15 ).

You can also perform simple queries against your DNS server through the DNS management console. Through the console, you can perform a simple iterative query or a recursive query. To query the DNS server, follow these steps:

1. Within the DNS management console, right-click the DNS server and click Properties.

2. In the Properties dialog box, select the Monitoring tab (see Figure 2.10).

   Figure 2.10. Testing the DNS server.

   

3. Select the type of test you want to perform: an iterative or recursive query.

4. Specify whether to perform automatic testing and at what interval.

5. After you make your selections, click the Test Now button. The results are displayed in the Test Results window. Click OK.

With an iterative query, the DNS server either resolves the hostname from the local cache or returns to the client a list DNS servers that might be able to resolve the hostname for the client. With a recursive query, the DNS server itself uses other DNS servers to resolve the hostname on behalf of the client.