DNS check is a tool to monitor, measure, and understand how the domain name system (DNS) works. DNS check consists of three main parts:
When a domain, also called a zone, is tested, the tool takes a health check of the domain through DNS from the root (.) to the top level, for instance .no, and finally the DNS servers containing information about the specific domain, for instance example.no.
DNS check also conducts other tests. These are documented her, Test Requirements document.
DNS check can test both published and unpublished (undelegated) domains.
DNS check is a tool for professionals who know how the DNS protocol works. An ordinary domain name holder should contact his domain provider or ISP to get a health check of his domain names.
DNS check is based on open source, and it is modular. As a user you can use parts of the code in your own systems if you like.
This tool is developed in a collaboration between the registries in Sweden (IIS, .se and .nu) and France (AFNIC, .fr).
DNS check will generate different types of enquiries depending on how the DNS servers answer.
It is important to underline that no one can give a final statement about the health of a domain. DNS check is not always absolutely correct, and the results can be interpreted. The developers behind the tool underline that they have done their utmost to development a best possible policy to consider different errors before they are presented for you as a user of the tool.
DNS check stores all historical activity. This means that you can go back and look at a test that you conducted a week ago and compare with the one you conducted now.
DNS check is available for everyone, which means that everyone also can check your domain and see historical data for your domain. However, no one can see who did a test. Only the time stamp for a test is stored.
