Heartbeat monitoring: Why is it important?

No Comments Monitoring , , , , , , , ,

Heartbeat monitoring: Meaning

When you create a service and expose a set of endpoints to provide API access to that service, you’ll almost certainly need to track their availability and response times, in addition to ensuring their functionality. Heartbeat Monitoring can assist you in regularly monitoring your services day in and day out so that you can genuinely know when “something is down” or just “not performing”. It is a tried-and-true mechanism of tracking a device’s or software system’s health by giving regular heartbeat events to a remote monitoring service.

Monitor to see if your scripts, agents, workers, and daemons are operating continuously and according to plan. For each heartbeat monitor, you will receive a different ping URL. In addition, you may check whether your task can communicate with your server by sending a straightforward HTTP request to the URL’s “display name” endpoint.

What is a Monitoring service?

You may get detailed information on the condition of your servers—used for things like web, email, DNS, and many more services—by using the Monitoring service.

It enables you to monitor and comprehend the status of your servers instantly. You can identify several issues, such as component failure or increased traffic, by continuously monitoring your Network. Additionally, if a problem occurs, a service like this will automatically notify you by email, text, or another channel like webhooks.

The Monitoring service is intended to identify network problems such as overloaded routers, down servers, and network connectivity problems.

Benefits of Heartbeat monitoring

  • It doesn’t skip a beat
  • Multi-location checks
  • Simple to use. Simple to set up
  • Alerts you if your servers/devices are down
  • It comes in a package of additional monitoring checks
  • Cost-effective solution

How to configure it

After you choose your Heartbeat Monitoring provider, you will actually see how this service works. Below you will find the steps.

  1. Select and enter the necessary information for your Heartbeat Monitoring to get the unique Ping URL.
  2. What you need to do is to copy this URL and configure it for the server or any other device you are going to check.
  3. Once you do that and your server opens the Heartbeat URL periodically, your Monitoring check should be with status UP. It will be DOWN if you do not correctly set up the URL, your server is down, Internet issues, etc.
  4. View and analyze the performance reports. 

Conclusion

You now have a better understanding of Heartbeat monitoring. It is a monitoring check that is part of the Monitoring service. With it, you can check if your server/computer or any other device is connected to the Network. Sounds good, right? So don’t waste any more time, take advantage of it. 

DNS zone: 4 Types You Should Know

No Comments DNS DNS records , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Today we will talk about the DNS zone. First, we will explore its purpose and then its different types. Finally, we will explain how you can locate your DNS zone. Let’s start!

DNS zone description

A DNS (Domain Name System) zone is a database containing Resource Records from a single DNS Namespace. Another way to say it, these zones are designed to make administration simple and redundant while also assisting in improving availability and performance. Additionally, you could see the DNS zone as a horizontal platform that connects all of a corporation’s subdomains.

As an illustration, if we have the domain name picusha.net and a zone called picusha.net inside of a DNS server, we may construct Resource Records for all of the TCP/IP devices inside the zone. This DNS server has been given permission to handle all DNS requests for picusha.net domains, including www.picusha.net, info.picusha.net, etc.

Types of Domain Name System zone

  • Master (Primary) DNS zone. The binding capacity for the administrator to manage the domain name in this zone is to read and write instructions. This Primary (Master) zone is where you should make any necessary updates to your Domain Name System data (records). The Secondary (Slave) DNS servers and the rest of the network will get any changes or modifications.
  • Secondary DNS zone. It contains all of the Domain Name System information (records) you created in the Primary (Master) Domain Name System zone and is only a read-only replica of that zone. The terms “slave” and “backup” are frequently used to describe it. Keep in mind that records such as A, AAAA, MX, and so on cannot be created directly in the Secondary zone. Instead, it obtains all the information from the Primary through a process called zone transfer in the Domain Name System.
  • Reverse Domain Name System zone — Just like the Forward zone, the Reverse DNS zone is a management area of the domain name space that houses records. However, it accomplishes the opposite objective by connecting IP addresses to the corresponding domain names. It goes hand in hand with the use of Reverse DNS. Only PTR, SOA, and NS record types are available in this zone, which is likewise restricted.
  • Parked zone – Parked domains are ideal for this zone. It enables you to use a website that has a contact form, a title, and a description. It is frequently used for domain names up for auction or newly launched websites.

What is my DNS zone location?

Typically, you won’t need to check your DNS zone. Sometimes, you’ll need to alter or even record your DNS. For instance, you’ll need to know the server details if you purchase a new domain. In some cases, you might even move data to a new server.

You have resources at your disposal to check up on DNS data, including your DNS zone.

You can use whois/dig/nslookup and other tools like these that are built into your operating system or online applications that provide information about websites.

Speak with your website administrator if you’re still unsure of where to discover your zone. They can assist you in pulling your SOA and locating your zone. This can provide you with all the knowledge you require on your website. In addition, DNS zones can be modified and updated by zone administrators. This means that if you are the new administrator, your predecessor should have given you this information.

Conclusion

The DNS zone makes it much simpler and easier to handle the domain system namespace as a whole. Moreover, by disassembling it into smaller parts, the Domain Name System (DNS) offers decentralization and structure.

You should direct your domain name to various servers, such as web servers, mail servers, and other services if you want it to function correctly. To do this, you must first construct your domain name system zone and then add each of the necessary domain name system record kinds.

How does DNSSEC add an additional level of security?

No Comments DNS Network Security , , , , , , , , , ,

DNSSEC is the most effective technique to secure your Domain Name System. We’ll explain why, what the phrase implies, and how you can benefit from it in this article. So, let’s keep it going.

The explanation of DNSSEC

DNSSEC is a collection of Security Extensions for the DNS that adds authentication and data integrity.

The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) invented it in the 1990s. Its primary goal is to provide an authentication method that uses digital signatures and public cryptography to prove the data’s origin. The data owner can use its private key to sign DNS data (DNS records) and ensure that the information is secure. Each recursive server can validate the data’s origin by comparing it to the public key.

It’s a complete chain of trust, beginning with the root server and ending with the exact hostname. Except for the root zone, which has nothing on top of it, each zone is signed by the one above it.

If the recursive server cannot authenticate the data for some reason, it will discard it and try again. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Is it advantageous?

The importance of DNSSEC may be summed up in two statements:

  1. You can ensure that the DNS data (DNS records) has not been tampered with by using DNSSEC. Consider what would happen if a cybercriminal modified DNS records on the route to the customer. The client can obtain a modified version of the product. A record that points to a server under the lousy actor’s control. There is a risk that the client’s data will be stolen. As a result, DNS cache poisoning is less likely. 
  2. Authentication of DNS data from a source. You can be sure that the data comes from a legitimate source and that the authoritative name server is valid using DNSSEC. It will prevent any bogus server forecasts.

Where can you get DNSSEC?

DNSSEC is not set up automatically. It is, however, straightforward to set up. As a result, most DNS hosting companies include it as a standard feature.

A substantial number of domains do not support DNSSEC. However, their entire worth is negligible. It can be used by well-known generic top-level domains (gTLDs) and country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs).

Simply enable it in the control panel of your DNS hosting provider to get started. Then look for DNSSEC and click “enable” for each DNS zone you want. After that, you’ll get a DS (Delegation Signer) record, which you should point to your domain’s registration information.

Conclusion

The decision to adopt DNSSEC to maintain DNS security is a wise one. Nowadays, cyber threats and direct DNS attacks are commonplace. Of course, DNSSEC is expensive, but you already know that the cost of preventing a criminal attack is always less than the cost of repairing the unintended consequences of a criminal attack.

Monitoring service explained for beginners

No Comments Network Security , , , , , ,

The topic of our discussion today is the Monitoring service. If you wonder what its main purpose is, why it is so beneficial for you and your business, and where you can find you, you are in the right place. So, let’s not waste any more time in idle talk, and let’s explore it! 

Monitoring service – Definition

Monitoring service is critical for delivering dependable service and a positive user experience. It also helps to identify problems with your services such as web, DNS, email, and so on. In addition, it provides precise information about the state of your servers and assists you in quickly identifying and resolving various issues.

You also have the option to monitor and notice the status of your servers in real-time. Any issues, such as a component failure or extremely slow traffic, will be straightforward to recognize and respond to.

Automatic notifications are also provided through the Monitoring service. As a result, if a problem arises, you will be notified via email, SMS, or other methods.

Why is it beneficial?

The Monitoring service has a number of notable benefits.

  • It assists you in avoiding outages.

Implementing a Monitoring service is perhaps the cheapest and most straightforward way to avoid outages in the first place.

  • Increasing the visibility of the network

The feature gives you the visibility you need to stay ahead of potential issues. Furthermore, displaying network performance data in a real-time and easy-to-understand format allows you to spot problems quickly.

  • Identify and resolve any issues as soon as possible.

Every digital organization, especially in downturns, needs to keep track of time. Problem-solving is easier and faster with the help of Monitoring. It will assist you in getting to the root of any problem. It makes no difference whether it’s a configuration problem or an unusual traffic increase.

Where can you find the Monitoring service?

We now have a better understanding of what the Monitoring service is and why it is so beneficial. But where can we find it? This is typically a paid service offered by DNS Hosting companies. UptimeRobot, Statuscake, ClouDNS, Zenoss, and many others are examples of good companies that have already established themselves as market leaders with the greatest quality. When selecting a supplier, you must be cautious because it can cost you unnecessarily spent resources. As a recommendation, look for a provider that offers a free trial. This will make deciding which service to use based on your business or personal needs much more effortless. Best of luck!

Conclusion

Ultimately, a Monitoring service is absolutely essential for your business to run smoothly and trouble-free. It avoids outages, increases visibility, and identifies the issues. So isn’t it worthwhile to give it a shot? Good luck!

What does Reverse DNS mean?

No Comments DNS DNS records Network , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Reverse DNS is an absolutely beneficial instrument for every business. It will convert the IP address into the domain name. But what makes you think you’d want that? Let’s take a closer look at Reverse DNS to comprehend it better.

PTR record – definition

The PTR is a DNS record type that we use for Reverse DNS to connect IP addresses (both IPv4 and IPv6) to the domain name. For example, when receiving mail servers want to know where an email came from, they execute a rDNS lookup and seek for PTR records. The PTR records will ensure that the IP address is actually associated with the domain name.

The purpose of Reverse DNS

Reverse DNS, also known as rDNS, is a querying technique used by DNS (Domain Name System) to do a particular sort of query with an IP address (IPv4 or IPv6) as an input and a name record as an output (A record or AAAA record). It’s termed reverse because it works in the same way as a forward DNS lookup, which connects an IP address to a domain name.

If you wish to check a specific host, you can use rDNS. Each host connected to a network has an IP address as an identification. You can readily see the IP address, but you can also execute a reverse DNS lookup to view the domain name and decide whether or not to trust it.

When do we use a Reverse DNS?

Reverse DNS is really helpful. We can use it for a range of things:

  • rDNS is extremely beneficial to businesses. It ensures that all of their emails are effectively sent to their clients and that they are not labeled spam.
  • We use it to ensure that the IP address and domain name are identical in most cases. If they don’t match, a man-in-the-middle attack (phishing) with malicious intent is possible. When a discrepancy arises, it is a piece of sure evidence that a cybercriminal has altered the data, and there is a security risk.
  • Reverse DNS is commonly beneficial for owners of large IP networks to improve and organize them.
  • When looking through domain registration and registrar files, rDNS could be useful in locating the domain of a device that is attempting to crack a firewall, spammers, or hackers.

Can you check it?

Yes, you can. What only you need is a computer and IP address. But the verification depends on your Operating System. So let’s see the different possibilities, which are as follows:

  • On Windows

On the Windows operating system, you can use the Nslookup command. First, find the Command Prompt and open it. Then inside, type the following command:

nslookup 52.14.98.213

Note that this is an example of Internet Protocol. So you have to change it with the one which you want to make the verification.

  • On Linux and macOS

Here the procedure is similar. So first, you have to find the Terminal and open it. Inside, type the following command:

dig –x 52.14.98.213

The same applies here to changing the IP address.

Conclusion

Finally, we came to a conclusion. So you can safely assume that you understand what the Reverse DNS is for. It is really beneficial, and it’s worth giving it a chance!

Interesting DNS Terms & Definitions

No Comments DNS , , , , , , , ,

Here are some interesting DNS terms you may not know yet. They are helpful both for beginner DNS administrators and more advanced ones. 

Dynamic DNS

Dynamic DNS automatically updates your IP address every time it is replaced. The Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are commonly changing it since it is easier for them to manage their large networks. For that reason, it is really useful to implement Dynamic DNS, for example, for your CCTV cameras for surveillance.

Anycast DNS

If you want to boost the DNS resolution process of your domain, you should consider Anycast DNS. It is a routing mechanism that works by placing one IP address into several name servers that are positioned in different points of the world. That way, the DNS request (DNS query) takes the shortest path, and the closest server provides the needed data.

DNSSEC

DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) brings extra protection to your DNS (Domain Name System). It applies cryptographic authentication for the DNS data (DNS records) that goes around the Internet. Besides, it provides insurance for the origin of the DNS data and its integrity. 

DNS query

DNS query is the process of searching DNS data (DNS records). Usually, that is the IP address (A record or AAAA record), but it could be a different DNS record of a domain name. DNS queries are initiated by users every time they want to visit a specific website. The DNS resolver (Recursive DNS server) receives the DNS query and asks for the needed information from the Authoritative DNS servers.

DNS server

The DNS servers are two types:

Authoritative name server: It replies to DNS queries. It is a source of reliable data, and it doesn’t just contain cached replies from another name server. Moreover, it is able to answer requests that are related to domain names registered in its configuration system.

Recursive name servers: Its main goal is to receive the user’s DNS query and look for the desired information. They ask many servers until they find the answer. Typically, they are described as the link between the user and authoritative name servers.

DNS cache

The DNS cache is a method for saving the DNS records for a particular amount of time of the already requested domain name. It is a widespread method included in different devices, like computers, tablets, mobiles, and DNS resolvers (Recursive DNS servers). Its primary purpose is to minimize the amount of time for resolving a domain name. Moreover, it simplifies the assignment of the Recursive DNS server by reducing the number of complete DNS lookups for a precise domain name.

DNS propagation

DNS propagation is the amount of time required for spreading the new DNS information (DNS records) you made through the rest of the network. Let’s say you adjusted your A or AAAA record and replaced the IP address of a hostname, which should be distributed to all of the recursive servers. The process of DNS propagation could take from one hour up to 72 hours. 

Conclusion

So, now you know some very interesting and helpful DNS terms. For sure, they are going to help you improve the management of your DNS.