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How to Test a DNS Server Setup

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DNS servers resolve IPs to friendly names.

Domain name servers (DNS) translate friendly, fully qualified domain names to IP addresses. IP addresses are numerical addresses that allow users to communicate on a network or the Internet. If your DNS server is set up properly, the server allows you to enter a domain name and returns an IP address. This can be tested using the "ping" utility available in the Windows command prompt. The ping command sends a small data packet to a computer, but it first uses the DNS server to retrieve the IP address.

Instructions

    • 1

      Click the Windows "Start" button and select "Run." Enter "cmd" into the text box. Click "OK" to open the Windows command prompt.

    • 2

      Enter "ping dns_server" into the command prompt. Replace "dns_server" with the name of your DNS server. This first indicates that the DNS server is online and communicating with the network.

    • 3

      Enter "ping computer_name" into the command prompt. The "computer_name" can be any domain on the Internet or even a computer on your local network. If the ping command is successful, the DNS server is properly working.

Tips & Warnings

  • An unsuccessful ping of a machine returns "Request Timed Out." A successful ping returns the response and the time it took to receive a response in milliseconds.

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References

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