Configuring DNS queries
BMC PATROL for Internet Servers enables you to monitor aspects of the performance of a DNS server. You can configure DNS queries to be sent to a monitored DNS server and verify the response.
- Access the menu commands for the DNS Client (for all the DNS servers) or for a specific DNS server instance.
 - Select PATROL Admin >Configure > Add DNS Query Request.
 - In the Specify Instance Label field, enter a name for the query.
 - In the DNS Retries field, enter the number of attempts made to resolve the query before an error is returned.
 - In the DNS Timeout (secs) field, enter the number of seconds to wait for a response before timeout.
 - In the Argument field, enter a text string (for example the IP name, IP address, web site, or Regular Expression) to be used in the query.
 - In the DNS queryType field, select the type of query you want to use.
- A. Retrieves the host address for IP name resolution.
 - NS. Returns the name server record.
 - CNAME. Returns the canonical name.
 - SOA. Returns the Start of Authority.
 - PTR. Returns the pointer record for IP name resolution.
 - MX. Returns mail exchange information.
 ANY. Returns all information associated with a query, including wildcards.
The following table shows how to use the different DNS query types.The [confluence_table-plus] macro is a standalone macro and it cannot be used inline.
 - In the Expected Response (Content Check Criteria) field, fill in the content checking information.
- Single Line Content Expression: Enter the expected response from the DNS Server response. If both content expression areas are filled in, the multiple-line expression is used.
 - Multi-line Content Expression: Enter the name of the file containing the expected responses. Each response must be on a separate line
 - Case Sensitive Match: Enable to match the case of the response to the expression included in the single or multi-line content field.
 - Evaluate Unix-style regular expression: Enable to compare the response to a regular expression included in the single or multi-line content field.
 - Alarm if content expressions: Select to raise an alarm if the content expression matches or does not match the DNS Server response
 
 - Click Accept to save the query settings and close the dialog box.
The query is added under the DNS Client or DNS server instance. 
Tip: For faster searching, add an asterisk to the end of your partial query. Example: cert*