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  • What is Ping command, and how to use it?

    What is Ping command?

    Ping command is a simple network utility tool. It has a command-line interface. You can write different commands and test various elements of your network – a computer on the network, the router, a particular domain, or IP address.
    The ping command uses ICMP – Internet control message protocol. When you are performing a check, you need to set a target, and additionally, you can add options for the number of packets, continuous pinging, timeout limits, IPv4 or IPv6, and more.
    You will get a response with additional statistics.
    An ICMP request is a small packet of data that your computer will send to the target. The target should bounce it back and send an answer for each ping.
    You can find the Ping command on Linux and macOS through the Terminal application, or on Windows, through the Command Prompt.
    You should also be able to find it on Android or iOS/iPadOS through a third-party Terminal application. 

    Ping command – examples, switches, and more!

    How to use Ping command?

    Let’s see first how to use ping command on Linux or macOS and check a few examples.
    Open the Terminal application.
    For some of the cases, you can use Windows too. On it, you will need to open the Command Prompt for performing the commands.
    *We will use example IP addresses and yourdomain.com. Please feel free to change the text and use the examples with your own domain or device (IP address).

    Basic Ping command. You will see if you can reach the target. That way, you can see if you, or the device you are probing, are connected. The result would be continuous ping on Linux or macOS (Stop with Ctrl-C), or 4 replies and statistics if there were no problems.

    ping yourdomain.com

    For continuous ping on Windows, you need to use the extra option “-t” and the ping that you want to perform is:

    ping -t yourdomain.com

    Send more ping requests (custom number of requests). You can make more than 4 requests on Windows or a specific amount of requests on Linux/macOS.

    Linux/macOS
    ping –c 8 yourdomain.com

    Windows
    ping –n 8 yourdomain.com

    Set an interval between the pings. You can set the time in seconds between the requests.

    Linux/macOS
    ping -i 20 8.8.4.4

    Set a timeout period in seconds to stop the ping command on Linux/macOS.
    ping –w 50 yourdomain.com

    Get the statistics only on your ping request, not showing the individual pings.
    Linux/macOS
    ping –q yourdomain.com

    Set the packet’s size to a value that you want. The default is 56 bytes on Linux/macOS and 32 bytes on Windows. Let’s put 112.
    Linux/macOS
    ping -s 112 yourdomain.com 

    Ping option for extended functionality Linux/macOS and Windows.

    For those of you who are using Linux or macOS, in the Terminal application, write:
    ping -h

    -aYou will hear a sound when the pings arrive.
    -bAllows the ping to broadcast IP address.
    -BDon’t allow ping to change the source IP address.
    -c (count)The number of ping to send.
    -fFlood the network with pings.
    -i (interval)Interval between pings.
    -I (interface address) Source IP address to interface IP address.
    -1 (reload)Number of pings without waiting for replies.
    -nShow hostname in result.
    -qShort answer.
    -T (ttl)TTL.
    -vVerbose output.
    -VVersion of ping command.
    -w (deadline)Time to stop the ping command.
    -W (timeout)Waiting time for a resonse. 

    For Windows users open the Command Prompt and write:

    ping -?

    -tContinuos ping.
    -aResolve IP address to hostname.
    -nNumber of pings.
    -lSend the size of the buffer.
    -fStop IPv4 flag fragmentation. 
    -iTTL.
    -vNot working anymore.
    -rTrace route IPv4.
    -sTimstamp on each hop IPv4
    -jLoose source route along host-list IPv4.
    -kStrict source route along host-list IPv4.
    -wWait for response time.
    -RTrace route IPv6
    -SSource address.
    -cRouter compartment identifier.
    -pPing Hyper-V network.
    -4IPv4.
    -6IPv6.

  • What is Time To Live (TTL)?

    What is TTL?

    Time To Live (TTL) sounds like a horror movie, but luckily it is not related to people. It is the value that shows how long the information should be kept in a particular device. There are many pieces of data that have their own TTL value. Here we will see DNS TTL and CDN TTL. 

    When we are talking about DNS TTL, it is related to the time that the DNS resolvers must keep the DNS records in their cache. Each of the DNS records will have its TTL value. There are some with longer TTL because there is less chance that the value will change and others with shorter TTL value, where there are often changes. 

    You can use these values as an orientation for your DNS records:

    • A and AAAA records – 2 hours (7200 seconds) is ok.
    • CNAME records – up to 12 hours (43200 seconds)
    • MX records – keep it as low. 1 hour (3600 seconds) is ok. 
    • TXT records – up to 12 hours (43200 seconds).

    And about the CDN TTL, there we are talking about caching the whole content and how long should the cache servers keep the photos, videos, or whatever needs to be cached. 

    When the TTL expires, the servers need to discard the current data that they have and make a new query to get the updated information from the primary servers. 

    How does TTL work with DNS queries?

    Talking about DNS requests, they are packets of data that also have TTL value. Imagine if they didn’t have such a parameter! The first-ever DNS query could still be around, going from server to server. 

    So the TTL value of a DNS request is there to stop the perpetual search or answer and reduce pointless stress on the system. 

    The value starts with a bigger number and gets dropped when it comes to zero by the routers. 

    How to check the TTL value on Windows?

    If you are a Windows user, you can use the Nslookup command and check a particular DNS record like – SOA, A, MX, AAAA, and more. Change the type with the one you want to see.

    Start the Command Prompt as an administrator, and use this:

    nslookup –types=soa yourdomainhere.com

    How to check TTL value on Linux or macOS?

    You have more options on Linux and macOS. You can use different commands through the Terminal application. 

    The Dig command can show you different DNS records, and you can see their TTL value. This example will be with A DNS record.

    dig a yourdomainname.com

    You can also use the Host command in a very similar way:

    host –a yourdomainname.com

    This command will show you all of the visible DNS records with their TTL values.

    Conclusion

    The TTL value is a necessary part that limits the time a data is valid. It will show if the data is current or if it needs to be updated soon. It makes data updates easier.

  • DNS propagation explained

    Imagine this situation. You have finally decided to truly manage your DNS. You have selected a DNS service provider, you have created master and secondary zones, and you have added all the DNS records that you will need. You spend a lot of time and effort. And after everything is ready, you want to check and… there are no changes! Don’t worry. The DNS propagation takes time.

    What is DNS propagation? 

    It is a process to update the changes that you make in your DNS. After editing or creating new DNS records, they are saved in the authoritative DNS nameserver. That is ok, but what about all the rest of the DNS name servers? The cache memory of the recursive DNS servers will still keep the older versions of the DNS records based on their TTL value.
    The DNS propagation is the time it will take to propagate, to update the changes to all of the recursive name servers.

    4 factors that affect the DNS propagation speed

    Frequently asked questions about DNS propagation

    Do you have any doubts about the DNS propagation, we hope you can find your answer here:

    Could we make the DNS propagation faster?

    Of course, we can, but there is a catch. Boosting the speed depends on the TTL value of the DNS records, so lowering the TTL value of each of the DNS records will indeed guarantee faster DNS propagation. The problem is that you might not want to have DNS records with low value. It will stress more your DNS servers, updating them too often.
    We don’t need all of our DNS records to update all the time.
    It is better to keep the records’ TTL values at their normal level. Plus, editing all of them will take a lot of time.

    Can you check if the DNS propagation is ready?

    Of course, we can, and this time there is no problem. You need to see if the IP address for a domain name has changed. This will indicate that the A or AAAA records are updated already.
    We will show you different ways depending on your OS.

    *Change yourdomainname.com with your actual domain name.

    Linux or macOS

    Open the Terminal, and we will use one of the built-in commands called the Dig command.

    dig yourdomainname.com

    You can use the host command too, whatever you prefer.

    Windows OS
    The Terminal alternative in Windows is the Command Prompt. Inside it, we will use the NSlookup command.

    nslookup yourdomainname.com

    How long can the DNS propagation take?

    It can take a long time. Depending on when the recursive DNS servers updated themselves and the TTL values of the DNS records, it can take as much as 72 hours.

    Conclusion

    Waiting for the DNS propagation to occur is a time-consuming process that we could not fully predict. This is the situation, and there is little we can do, so just be patient, and in less than 72 hours, the update will happen.
    Patience is the key here!

  • The Best Places to Buy a Domain Name

    If you already got the ideal domain name for your website, it’s time to register it! 

    The process is easy, but you have to pick a registrar company to do it. Which one to choose is the first decision to be taken.

    How to pick a domain name registrar? Tips

    • Check carefully TLDs prices (.com, .org, .net, .de). TLDs have different costs among them, and registrars also charge them differently.
    • Verify the initial price but also renewals. 
    • Understand the prices and conditions in case you want to take your domain to a different company.
    • Most web hosting companies also register domains. If you have thought already about a specific hosting provider, take a look at its prices and plans. Sometimes if you host your website, the register goes for free, at least the first year.
    • Check what kind of support the registrar offers. 

    Best Places to Buy a Domain Name

    The following registrars are accredited by Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

    Domain.com

    It is a trustable company with 20 years in the business. It started as a domain name registrar. Later it became a web hosting provider too. 

    You can pick between popular TLDs and more than 25 country code TLDs. Costs are a bit higher than average. For example, “.com” domain first year (registration) costs $9.99. Renewal price goes to $13.99 per year. “.net” initial price is $12.99. Its renewal, $15.99. TLD cost list is openly available for users.

    There is 24/7 phone, email, and chat support.

    Dynadot

    Created in 2002, it’s a well-known domain registrar. It’s also a hosting provider.

    Wide variety of TLDs. Average costs. TLD price list is openly shown. “.com” can be purchased by an initial price (registration first year) of $7.99 and its renewal, by $8.99 per year. “.net” initial price is $5.99, the renewal goes to $10.99.

    Its search of domain name choices has extra tools like bulk and internationalized domain name (IDN), useful advanced options. You can get also results from auctions or domains that people no longer use. You can grab a domain used by someone and get it if it doesn’t get renewed. 

    There’s grace deletion and free domain forwarding if you want to redirect users.

    Support is available via chat, email, and phone. There’s an active forum with answers to common users’ questions. 

    Namecheap

    Founded in 2000, it is another reliable registrar that provides web hosting too.

    It has a variety of TLDs to choose from. Competitive prices. The popular “.com” is rated at $8.88 the first year (registration) and $12.98 for renewal. “.net” is $10.98 for the first year and $14.98, the renewal.

    Search for one or up to 50 domains every time. Results appear organized by new, popular, discounted, and international criteria. Get WHOIS for free.

    Support is reachable through a live chat, and FAQ pages are at their disposal.

    Hover

    Created in 2008, it’s a younger and trustable registrar.

    Many different choices of TLDs. “.com” costs $12.99 first year and $14.99, the renewal. “.net”, $15.49 registering price and $17.49, the renewal. Clear costs published. 

    Search is easy thanks to its filters (different categories like food and drink, video and audio, businesses, etc.). WHOIS privacy is included for free, the time you stay with Hover.

    There’s customer support via chat and email, but it’s not 24/7.

    Conclusion

    There are lots of registrar choices. Pick one with a positive reputation, and that can offer the best for your budget. 

    It’s worthy of checking extras and special deals every registrar offers. 

  • Shared hosting – pros and cons

    A server hosts every website you visit daily to be available to you and people around the world. Without a web hosting service, sites can’t be viewed on the Internet.

    If you want to start a website, choosing the type of hosting, provider, and plan that fits your needs will be a critical decision to be taken. Shared web hosting is a popular service that providers will offer you for sure.

    What is web hosting?

    All the files that websites are built of (themes, text, images, videos, different codes, etc.) must be saved on a server connected to the Internet to be displayed online.

    Web hosting is the service that offers you the storage space on a server needed for your website to be available on the Internet.

    What is shared hosting?

    This is the most popular, accessible, and basic type of web hosting service. It means your website will be stored in a server, together with more websites, so yours will live there, sharing space and the resources of the server (storage, bandwidth, processor, RAM, etc.) with others. 

    In simple words, your site will live with roomies around.

    Every site can use a certain limit of server’s resources. Such a limit is defined by the plan you choose.

    Shared hosting pros

    Easy configuration

    Most providers offer one-click features for users to install easily what they need. 

    Built-in features

    To make it simple for users, built-in features like DNS management and c-Panel (interface) are included to manage the site. No expert tech skills are required to do it. 

    Recommended article: Anycast DNS vs Unicast DNS

    Technical maintenance is not required from you

    The company you hire is in charge of server maintenance, not you. Issues will be fixed by them. 

    Customer support

    You won’t be alone in this adventure. But since shared web hosting is a basic service, users will have almost nothing to modify or troubles to face in theory. How high or basic guidance you can get depends on the provider and specific plan you get. 

    Cheap rates

    Being the basic type of web hosting, it’s also the cheapest. Rounding numbers, starting rates can range from 3 to 10 monthly dollars. Providers offer initial discounts but always check the regular ones not to be surprised, once the discount period gets over.

    Shared hosting cons

    Sharing server’s resources

    Resources divided among hundreds of clients definitely can affect websites’ performance. Websites with a heavy design or having traffic peaks can use a lot of processor’s power and RAM from the server. This can make your site’s loading time really sluggish.

    Security issues

    Sharing a server with many sites brings vulnerabilities. If a site gets compromised, potentially all the websites on that server could be hacked. If the attack goes directly to take over the server, all websites in it will be compromised.

    Besides, all websites on a server share the IP address. In case another site does something wrong, it can be banned. Then, all sites using such an IP address can suffer the same consequences. 

    No root access

    Since it’s a service thought for beginners, you won’t have root access in case you want to modify settings for adding, removing, customizing, etc. 

    Conclusion

    Shared web hosting is a good beginning, especially if you own a site without much on-site interaction, a static site, a start-up, a blog, a corporative site, etc. It is an affordable, easy to manage choice.

    Choose shared web hosting just if it really suits your website needs. If your site requires more resources and you pick shared hosting, for sure, you will face problems.

  • Error 502 – How to fix it?

    Maybe it has happened to you while browsing, or users have reported they can’t access your website. The only thing they see is an Error 502 message. How can you fix error 502?

    What is Error 502?

    It is a HTTP status code that points to a server communication problem. A server (acting as a proxy) got not response or got an invalid response from another server (origin or upstream server).

    To visit a site on the Internet, the browser sends the request to a server connected to the web. The server gets that request and processes it in order to send back the resources you requested, together with an HTTP status code and HTTP header. 

    When things work, the HTTP status code is not visible to the users. It’s the way servers communicate with each other. When something fails, the server informs you of the problem through this code.

    Error 502 can be displayed also like:

    • HTTP 502
    • 502 Proxy Error
    • 502 Service Temporarily Overloaded
    • 502 Bad Gateway
    • Temporary Error (502)
    • 502 Bad Gateway Cloudflare
    • Bad Gateway: The proxy server received an invalid response from an upstream server.
    • 502 Server Error: The server encountered a temporary error and could not complete your request.

    What causes Error 502?

    • The origin server can be down, so it can’t be reached.
    • The domain name doesn’t match correctly to the IP address of the host. It can happen due to DNS changes. 
    • Something like CMS security plugins, a firewall, or a DDoS protection system, could block the communication between the origin server and the server, acting as a proxy.
    • It is mostly a network issue. The error occurs on Internet servers. There is a big chance this is not an issue website owners or users have to fix. It must be fixed on the web servers/proxies level.

    How to fix Error 502?

    First, let’s delete the slight possibilities that the issue is on the user-side:

    • Reload the URL. Connectivity server problems regularly get fixed fast. Just wait a few minutes.
    • Restart your device and network hardware. If Error 502 appears in more websites, temporary conflicts in network devices could be the problem. 
    • Remove browser cache and cookies. Old, corrupted files or cookies stored by the browser could cause Error 502.
    • Restart the browser. There could be a conflict device-browser. Close it perfectly and open a new session.
    • Use browser’s safe mode. This means getting back to default settings, free of add-ons that can be the problem.
    • Use another browser. If the page loads correctly, the problem is on your browser. Just reinstall it.
    • Flush DNS settings. It could be that the IP address you have is not current. Once all the DNS A records are removed, when you require the domain, the browser will search for the DNS A record again, and it will get the newest one with the newest IP address.

    Website owner:

    • Test your server. Try a ping test with the IP of the server to see if it responds or not. 
    • Look over server logs. The details about server’s performance will show the problem.
    • Check firewall configurations. The firewall protects your site. But not properly configured, it can directly reject all requests of a content delivery network, considering them an attack to the server.
    • Examine website’s code. Bugs affect the proper answer to content delivery network requests.
    • Wait for DNS modifications to propagate. If you recently changed something, you moved to another hosting server or transferred your site to a different IP address. This can cause Error 502.

    DNS propagation explained

    • Ask your hosting provider. Normally, when a server is down or under maintenance, providers fix the problem fast or look for alternatives for you not to lose visitors. But to ask is good in the rare case, they hadn’t realized the problem. 

  • Vanity name server (DNS branding) – Why use it?

    Did you know that there is a DNS service that allows you to put your custom DNS branding on the name servers the DNS provider offers? With DNS branding, you can put the name of a domain you own instead of the names that come by default, like ns1.DNSprovider.com, and be changed to ns1.YourDomain.com.

    Why would you want to use Vanity name server? 

    What is a Vanity name server (DNS Branding)?

    DNS Branding offers vanity name servers that are name servers that you can put a custom name on them instead of the DNS provider’s default name. You can put your own domain name, hide the DNS provider, and have a better brand image. 

    Benefits of DNS branding

    See the following example of Vanity name servers, so you get the idea better:

    BeforeAfter
    ns1.DNSProvider.com ns1.YourDomain.com
    ns2.DNSProvider.comns2.YourDomain.com

    DNS Vanity name servers are actually a mask on top of the DNS provider.

    Anycast DNS vs Unicast DNS

    Why use Vanity name server?

    Because using Vanity name server will show the custom name, like ns1.YourDomain.com, when somebody is performing a Whois lookup or using any of the commands for testing NS DNS records. 

    Another reason is that using this DNS branding is that you can hide which exactly is your DNS provider or public DNS server you are using, so nobody uses this information against you in any way.

    White-label services. You can offer different network services and make a deal with a DNS provider, to offer their services through your plans, without mentioning their involvement and slapping your brand on top of the DNS service. That way, you can add more features and look like a truly feature-rich service provider. 

    How can you set up a Vanity name server?

    Configuring Vanity name servers takes a few simple steps, and it is very similar on most of the DNS providers:

    First, go to your domain registrar site and log in. There we need to add Child Name Servers to your domain. Those servers you want to use like ns1.YourDomain.com, ns2.YourDomain.com, etc., and add the IP addresses according to the domain registrar.

    Now, go to your DNS settings and add the same A records as the Child Name Servers for the DNS zone. You can do it for your Primary DNS zone or Secondary DNS zone. Both work.

    After adding the A DNS records, the same way as the Child Name Servers, it is time to change the NS records (name server record) that you can find the DNS zone. Edit the existing ones, or delete them and add a new one. The content of them should look like YourDomain.com NS ns1.YourDomain.com, and so on for the rest of them.

    Time to get back to the domain registrar settings. There, from the control panel, change the previous name servers with those you just created. You might need to wait up to 48 hours to update the DNS records on all the DNS resolvers.

    Now you know what Vanity name servers are, what purpose do they have, and how to start using them, are you interested in using them?