Question : DNS NameServer

Hi,

I've been trying to resolve a problem with a DNS which is co-located at offices in London.

On this server, which I can remote desktop onto.. I get the following results for an nslookup

C:\Documents and Settings\Main>nslookup
Default Server:  ns0.firstserv.co.uk
Address:  80.79.132.10

> set type=mx
> sportingpulse.com
Server:  ns0.firstserv.co.uk
Address:  80.79.132.10

DNS request timed out.
    timeout was 2 seconds.
DNS request timed out.
    timeout was 2 seconds.
*** Request to ns0.firstserv.co.uk timed-out
>

Which is fair enough, but when I run exactly the same from my home PC, I get...

E:\Documents and Settings\Home>nslookup
Default Server:  MyRouter
Address:  192.168.2.1

> set type=mx
> sportingpulse.com
Server:  MyRouter
Address:  192.168.2.1

sportingpulse.com       MX preference = 5, mail exchanger = mail.sportingpulse.com
sportingpulse.com       MX preference = 10, mail exchanger = elrond.sportingpulse.com
sportingpulse.com       nameserver = ns2.pulsetec.com.au
sportingpulse.com       nameserver = ns1.pulsetec.com.au
mail.sportingpulse.com  internet address = 203.21.3.138
elrond.sportingpulse.com        internet address = 203.21.3.140
ns2.pulsetec.com.au     internet address = 203.21.3.131
ns1.pulsetec.com.au     internet address = 203.21.3.130
>

There is obvisouly a discrepancy on this lookup between my machine and the server machine.

I've mentioned it to our hosting company, and they say it's a problem with the remote domain (the one I'm looking up). I don't know all that much about DNS etc.. but I can see that there is a difference between these identical requests.

Can someone help me here please.

Thanks
Smg.

Answer : DNS NameServer

I just did an nslookup from my dns (in Canada) server to sportingpulse.com and got the same as you did at home

sportingpulse.com       MX preference = 5, mail exchanger = mail.sportingpulse.com
sportingpulse.com       MX preference = 10, mail exchanger = elrond.sportingpulse.com
sportingpulse.com       nameserver = ns2.pulsetec.com.au
sportingpulse.com       nameserver = ns1.pulsetec.com.au
mail.sportingpulse.com  internet address = 203.21.3.138
elrond.sportingpulse.com        internet address = 203.21.3.140
ns2.pulsetec.com.au     internet address = 203.21.3.131
ns1.pulsetec.com.au     internet address = 203.21.3.130


When I change my name server to ns0.firstserv.co.uk and query sportingpulse.com I get time outs, just as you did before.

So I would say that the problem is with ns0.firstserv.co.uk.

I also did a search at www.dnsstuff.com . This is a great site to test dns related issues. The results also mesh with our DNS servers.

So I have a couple of suggestions.

Go on the internet and search for free dns lookup.  You should find many sites that have a web interface to do an mx lookup or A record.  Query the domain you want information on and record your results.  Verify that the results are correct (do you know the actual IP's for the domain to verify) if you can.

Once you do this contact the hosting company with the incorrect DNS and lay down the facts. They will have to do some query's of there own and should resolve the problem for you. If not perhaps you need a more reliable hosting company.

Good luck.