Networking is the field where accuracy is a non-negotiable element. Not only the accuracy, but also the speed and troubleshooting. We often see networking professionals spending much of their time on repetitive tasks. These include diagnosing network issues, verifying records, and monitoring the network performance. Sometimes, things become frustrating for them, especially when working under tight deadlines.
To overcome the frustration, many now get assistance from online tools. As the talk is about networking, talking about ordinary tools is nothing but a waste of time. That is why, for your convenience, we have brought this blog post, focusing on four innovative toolkits that thousands of networking professionals rely on to identify and troubleshoot network errors.
1. DNSChecker.org – Complete DNS & Networking Toolkit
With over 1 million monthly users, DNSChecker.org is one of the widely used network and DNS testing platforms. This toolkit comprises a set of tools designed to assist various professionals with diverse tasks. For example:
- Developers use it to verify DNS records.
- SEO experts for diagnosing multiple issues.
- Networking professionals to troubleshoot network errors and much more.
And you won’t believe that all the tools on DNSChecker.org are free to use. Additionally, it features an intuitive interface with comprehensive tools. In simple terms, for networking professionals, it is an essential resource for domain and network-related tasks.
The platform is particularly known for its visual representation of DNS propagation. It allows users to see whether their DNS changes have been updated across different regional servers. This feature is invaluable for developers, especially when they are:
- Migrating a website
- Changing hosting providers
- Configuring email servers
DNSchecker.org has 50+ tools on it that are categorized into different categories, such as:
- DNS Tools
- IP Tools
- Developer Tools
- Designer Tools
- Network Tools
- Cybersecurity Tools, etc.
The following are some of the most used and popular tools offered by this toolkit.
DNS Propagation Checker
This is the flagship tool, allowing users to check the propagation of various DNS records across global network servers, including:
- A
- AAAA
- CNAME
- MX, etc.
This tool also displays results on a map, making it easy to spot regional inconsistencies.
DNS Lookup
This is another tool that helps networking professionals in verifying all the DNS records associated with a domain. When you run a domain through this tool, it instantly shows all the DNS records that are set up in the DNS configuration of that domain name. This way, users will be able to verify that all the DNS records for a domain are correctly set up.
IP Tools
DNSChecker.org offers various IP-related tools, such as:
- What is my IP
- IP Location Lookup
- IP Blacklist Checker
All these help networking professionals in spotting security flaws and troubleshooting errors in some way.
2. IPLocation.io – IP & Network Utility Toolkit
This is another free toolkit specifically designed for individuals who require detailed information about IP addresses. This platform specializes particularly in IP geolocation and offers various network utilities.
Tools on this platform provide deep insights for multiple things, such as:
- Security analysis
- Content personalization
- Fraud detection
The tools on IPlocation.io aggregate data from multiple GeoIP providers. They give users a more comprehensive and accurate picture of an IP’s location and associated details.
In addition to the IP lookup, this smart toolkit also provides several sub-tools. They assist with tasks such as network calculations and security checks. These tools help networking professionals with things such as:
- Tracking online activity
- Investigating security threats
- Managing network resources effectively
The following are some of the most commonly used tools from IPlocation.io, which are being utilized by thousands.
IP Location Lookup
This tool helps in finding the geolocation data for IP addresses. It provides you with a detailed IP location lookup and gives instant results. Results include necessary information such as country, city, ISP name, etc. IP location lookup. It also displays the estimated location on a map for easy visualization based on approximate longitude and latitude data.
Subnet Calculator
Another popular tool of IPlocation.io that is mostly used by network administrators for subnetting calculations. These calculations are needed by network admins to design and manage IP networks efficiently. Additionally, the IP subnet calculator enables users to break down large networks into smaller, manageable networks.
IP Pinger
A standard IP ping tool to test the reachability of a host on an IP network. This tool is used for measuring the round-trip time for messages sent from the originating host to a destination computer.
3. Macaddresslookup.io – Device & Network Management Tools
The third toolkit that seems valuable for networking professionals is Macaddresslooup.io. Like two of the previously discussed platforms, it is also free to use and has multiple tools integrated into it.
The platform provides specialized tools that enable network professionals to perform MAC address lookups.
Macaddresslookup.io is particularly valuable for IT administrators and network engineers who manage local networks. It assists them with various tasks such as:
- Identifying devices
- Assigning permissions
- Troubleshooting connectivity issues
The platform provides an extensive database of MAC address prefixes (OUIs, or Organizationally Unique Identifiers) assigned by the IEEE. This allows users to identify the manufacturer of a network interface card (NIC) simply by entering its MAC address.
This smart toolkit also includes several other handy tools that help in testing and network configuration.
MAC Address Generator
Besides the MAC address lookup tool, you also get a MAC address generator. Using the said tool, anyone can create random MAC addresses. Those generated addresses can be useful for testing or for scenarios where a unique MAC address is required.
Port Checker
Another key tool you will find in MAC address lookup is the online port checker. This tool helps in checking the status of ports, i.e., whether they are open or closed.
Knowing the status of ports helps network professionals diagnose security vulnerabilities and firewall issues. Additionally, it helps verify that a service is running and accessible to incoming traffic.
4. Whatsmydns.me – Simple but Powerful DNS & Connectivity Tools
The last smart toolkit for networking professionals on our list is Whatsmydns.me. The platform offers a clean, fast, and user-friendly interface. The tools on the platform help in checking DNS resolution and testing network performance.
When you visit this toolkit, you will find that the main tool functionality is similar to that of DNSchecker.org, which we discussed at the beginning. However, its lightweight design and simplicity make it a favorite among networking professionals who need quick and accurate results. Like the previously discussed platforms, Whatsmydns.me also has multiple tools integrated into it. The following are some key tools among them:
DNS Resolve Checker
Similar to other propagation checkers, this tool verifies DNS records from multiple locations worldwide. It supports a wide range of record types and provides clear, color-coded results (a green check for resolved, a red cross for unresolved).
Internet Speed Test
This is another integrated tool that helps you measure your network’s download and upload speeds. It also shows ping and jitter in the results. This tool is handy for diagnosing connectivity issues.
Besides those mentioned above, there are also some other subtools on Whatsmydns.me. These tools help in finding the IP address of a device and checking particular DNS records for a domain name.
For your convenience, here are other sub tools you can find on this smart toolkit.
- What is My IP Address
- Reverse IP lookup
- DNS servers
- MAC Address Lookup, etc.
Bottom Line
The above-mentioned are four of the smart toolkits that many network professionals rely on. They can use them for free to identify network-related issues and troubleshoot them promptly. So, if you are a professional working in the field of network and technology, give these toolkits a try.