Summary
Numerous solutions exist for monitoring DNS record changes to maintain email deliverability. These range from dedicated DNS monitoring services like MXToolbox, DNS Spy, and HetrixTools to broader infrastructure monitoring tools like Pingdom, Site 24x7, PRTG, Checkmk, and UptimeRobot. Cloud providers such as AWS, Azure, Datadog and Cloudflare also offer integrated DNS monitoring capabilities. While tools like MXToolbox and IntoDNS can check DNS errors, dedicated real-time alert services aren't always endorsed. Domain reputation monitoring, although not directly focused on DNS, provides indirect alerts to DNS issues impacting deliverability, and experts emphasize DKIM monitoring.
Key findings
- Diverse Solutions: A wide array of services cater to DNS monitoring, including specialized tools and comprehensive infrastructure monitoring solutions.
- Cloud Integration: Major cloud providers offer built-in DNS monitoring features.
- Alerting is Key: The ability to receive timely alerts on DNS record changes is a crucial feature for maintaining deliverability.
- Indirect Indicators: Domain reputation and feedback loops can provide indirect signals of DNS-related deliverability issues.
- DKIM Importance: Monitoring public DKIM keys is particularly vital for email deliverability.
Key considerations
- Specialized vs. Broad: Evaluate whether a dedicated DNS monitoring tool or a broader infrastructure monitoring solution best fits your needs and budget.
- Real-time Needs: Determine if you need real-time alerting capabilities or if periodic manual checks are sufficient.
- Cloud Alignment: If you already use a cloud provider, consider leveraging their integrated DNS monitoring tools.
- Reputation Monitoring: Integrate DNS monitoring with domain reputation monitoring for a holistic view of deliverability health.
- DKIM Vigilance: Prioritize monitoring of DKIM keys, as their absence can severely impact deliverability.
What email marketers say
9 marketer opinions
Several services and tools can monitor DNS record changes and provide alerts, impacting email deliverability. Recommendations include dedicated DNS monitoring services like MXToolbox, DNS Spy, and HetrixTools, as well as general infrastructure monitoring solutions like Pingdom, Site 24x7, PRTG, Checkmk, and UptimeRobot. While some providers like DigitalOcean don't offer automated alerts, they provide tools for manual checks. Custom scripts using Nagios or similar platforms can also be implemented for tailored monitoring.
Key opinions
- Multiple Options: A variety of services, ranging from dedicated DNS monitors to general infrastructure tools, offer DNS record change monitoring.
- Alerting: Most solutions provide alerts when DNS records change, ensuring timely responses to unexpected modifications.
- Manual Checks: Some platforms, while lacking automated alerting, provide tools for manual DNS record verification.
- Custom Solutions: Custom scripting (e.g., Nagios scripts) allows for tailored DNS monitoring to specific needs.
Key considerations
- Dedicated vs. General: Consider whether a dedicated DNS monitoring service or a more comprehensive infrastructure monitoring tool best fits your needs.
- Alerting Capabilities: Evaluate the alerting capabilities of each solution, including notification methods and customization options.
- Manual Effort: Assess the level of manual effort required for solutions that don't offer automated alerting.
- Customization Needs: Determine if custom scripting is necessary to meet specific monitoring requirements.
Marketer view
Email marketer from DigitalOcean notes that while they don't have a dedicated DNS monitoring service with alerts for changes, they provide detailed control over your DNS records, allowing you to manually check for changes regularly.
24 Dec 2024 - DigitalOcean
Marketer view
Email marketer from StackExchange suggests using a Nagios script to monitor DNS records and alert on changes. The script checks if the output of a DNS query matches the expected value and sends an alert if there is a mismatch.
23 Oct 2022 - StackExchange
What the experts say
4 expert opinions
Experts emphasize the importance of monitoring DNS records, specifically DKIM keys, for email deliverability. DMARC tools are mentioned as a potential alert system, but they can become complex with numerous domains. While MXToolbox and IntoDNS can check DNS errors, they don't provide real-time alerts. Monitoring domain reputation, through services like Return Path/Validity, offers indirect alerts on DNS issues affecting reputation, focusing more on feedback loops than immediate DNS record changes.
Key opinions
- DKIM Monitoring: Monitoring the disappearance of public DKIM keys is crucial for maintaining email deliverability.
- DMARC as Proxy: DMARC tools can act as a proxy for DNS monitoring, though complexity increases with more domains.
- Reputation Impact: DNS issues impact domain reputation, and monitoring services focusing on reputation can provide indirect alerts.
- Limited Real-time Alerts: While tools can check DNS errors, dedicated real-time alert services are not universally endorsed in the provided sources.
Key considerations
- Scalability of DMARC: Consider the scalability challenges of using DMARC monitoring as a proxy for DNS monitoring with a large number of domains.
- Direct vs. Indirect Alerts: Weigh the benefits of direct DNS monitoring alerts against indirect alerts through reputation monitoring services.
- Proactive Monitoring: Implement proactive DKIM key monitoring to prevent deliverability issues.
- Reputation Monitoring Integration: Evaluate how well reputation monitoring integrates with DNS issue detection for comprehensive deliverability management.
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource discusses the importance of monitoring DNS records for email deliverability, mentioning that tools like MXToolbox and IntoDNS can be used to check for DNS errors and changes that might affect email sending. However, it does not endorse a specific DNS monitoring service that provides real-time alerts.
5 Sep 2023 - Spam Resource
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks suggests that there are DMARC tools that will alert when records change.
23 Aug 2024 - Email Geeks
What the documentation says
5 technical articles
Major cloud providers like AWS, SolarWinds, Datadog, Cloudflare, and Azure offer DNS monitoring solutions. These tools track DNS server performance, record changes to DNS records, and provide alerts on anomalies. They generally focus on DNS health, availability, and query performance, with capabilities for setting alarms based on specific triggers.
Key findings
- Cloud Provider Solutions: Leading cloud providers integrate DNS monitoring into their platforms.
- Comprehensive Monitoring: Monitoring includes DNS server availability, query performance, and record changes.
- Alerting Capabilities: Alerts can be configured for specific events, such as record changes or performance issues.
- Logging Features: Platforms like Cloudflare offer audit logs to track changes with user and timestamp information.
Key considerations
- Existing Infrastructure: Consider if you are already using any of these cloud providers as it may make sense to use their solution.
- Cost: Understand pricing structures for DNS monitoring within each platform, especially considering potential scaling.
- Integration: Assess the integration capabilities with other monitoring and alerting systems.
- Log Retention: Evaluate log retention policies and accessibility for auditing and troubleshooting.
Technical article
Documentation from Microsoft Azure suggests using Azure Monitor to track DNS server performance and identify potential issues. Azure Monitor can be configured to collect DNS server logs and provide alerts on anomalies.
28 Dec 2022 - Microsoft Azure
Technical article
Documentation from Datadog explains that their DNS monitoring integration allows you to track DNS query performance, identify slow resolvers, and receive alerts on DNS configuration changes. It provides visibility into DNS health and performance.
17 Apr 2024 - Datadog
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