Tasks - DNS Server

Problem
Your DNS is down, users can not access the internet, and calls are flooding in overwhelming the helpdesk.

Solution
Chroniker’s TaskWatch DNS Test can resolve a domain name or perform a reverse look up from an IP address to ensure DNS is up and running.

Create a DNS Server Task
Creating a DNS Server Task involves the following steps:

1. Define a DNS Server Task
2. Define Alerts
   1. Create Reactions
   2. Create Events
   3. Apply Events to DNS Server Task

Define a DNS Task

Click on Tools > Add New Monitor > DNS Task:

• Required Parameters
  
  1. Click on the Group drop down menu button and select a group from this list.
     
  2. Enter a unique Task Name. Use whichever naming convention is most useful to you.
     Example: NS1 DNS Server
     
  3. Monitor From: If Chorniker Remote Location is used. Select a location where the task will be executed.
     
  4. DNS Server: Enter the DNS Server Address.
     Example: 172.15.154.22
     
  5. Resolve Host: Enter the host to resolve
     Example: www.nrgglobal.com
     
  6. Query Type: Select the DNS Query type from the drop down list.
  7. Match: Enter the comma separated list of IP addresses that are expected to be resolved from a given Host Name
  8. Enter the host/server where the DNS server resides. This field is used for Host Outages configurations. Please click here to know more about Host Outages.
• Events
  
  1. Click on Add Event button to create a new Event or apply a predefined Event to this task.
  2. Select Event Type from Type dropdown.
  3. Select a predefined Event from the dropdown list or select [Add New Event ..] from the dropdown to create a new Event.
     
     

     When selecting [Add New Event ..], Events form opens to create the new Event.
     
     After creating the new Event, you need to click on Add Event button one more time in Add Task form to see the new Event in the Events dropdown list.

• Description: Enter a meaningful description of the Task.
  
• Click on Submit to save the form or Reset to clear the form.


Summary

You have created a DNS Server Task that will send an email when the event threshold you’ve set is exceeded. It is recommended that you create as many reactions and events as you need to monitor your systems and networks efficiently.

If you find that you are receiving e-mails constantly, edit the event’s threshold accordingly. Or make changes to the DNS server so that it does operate under desired thresholds

Now that you have a basic DNS Server test setup you can graph, report and monitor the data you are collecting. You may also edit the appropriate scenario and or task to include profiles and other options.

Should you need further technical help on the topic of DNS Server monitoring with Chroniker’s TaskWatch module, feel free to contact NRG Global at: 1-626-478-2138 or e-mail: support@NRGglobal.com.