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.

1. Access the menu commands for the DNS Client (for all the DNS servers) or for a specific DNS server instance.
2. Select PATROL Admin >Configure > Add DNS Query Request.
3. In the Specify Instance Label field, enter a name for the query.
4. In the DNS Retries field, enter the number of attempts made to resolve the query before an error is returned.
5. In the DNS Timeout (secs) field, enter the number of seconds to wait for a response before timeout.
6. 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.
7. 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.
     
     

8. 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
9. Click Accept to save the query settings and close the dialog box.
    The query is added under the DNS Client or DNS server instance.