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copyright
years
2018, 2024
lastupdated 2024-10-09
keywords Helpful tools, whois, IPv4, HAR
subcollection cis

{{site.data.keyword.attribute-definition-list}}

Helpful tools for managing your CIS deployment

{: #helpful-tools-for-managing-your-cis-deployment}

Some public-domain Unix system administration tools can help you manage your {{site.data.keyword.cis_full}} ({{site.data.keyword.cis_short_notm}}) deployment. {: shortdesc}

Sysadmin tools

{: #cis-sysadmin-tools}

  • whois (domain identification tool)
  • dig (DNS tool)
  • cURL (HTTP and HTTPS tool)
  • netcat (IP and port tool)
  • traceroute (network tool)

Commercial tools for external and remote testing

{: #commercial-tools-for-external-and-remote-testing}

  • GTMetrix (HTTP)
  • Web page test (HTTP)
  • WhatsMyDNS (DNS tool)
  • G Suite Toolbox (DNS and HTTP)

Tools for looking at logs and history

{: #tools-for-looking-at-logs-and-history}

HTTP Archive files (HAR files)

Using whois

{: #using-whois}

whois is a UNIX system command line tool you can use to look up registrar information for a given domain name or IP address. For example, the domain’s given authoritative servers or the owner of a particular IP address.

Examples:

whois example.com

whois 8.8.8.8

Using dig

{: #using-dig}

dig is a Unix command line tool that can perform DNS queries and check DNS records for a specific domain. It is similar to nslookup.

The schema of this command is dig <record_type> <domainname> <options>

For example:

  • dig example.com
  • dig my.example.com
  • dig example.com +trace
  • dig NS example.com
  • dig example.com @ns.example.com

Using cURL

{: #use-curl}

cURL is a Unix command line tool that lets you transmit data using the URL syntax. It’s commonly used to make HTTP requests or compare server responses.

The schema for this command is: curl -option1 -option2 http://example.com/url

For example:

  • curl -svo /dev/null http://www.example.com
  • curl -svo /dev/null -A “USER_AGENT_STRING” http://www.example.com
  • curl -svo /dev/null -H “host: www.example.com” http://ORIGIN_IP
  • curl -svo /dev/null -H https://www.example.com --resolve www.example.com:443:ORIGIN_IP

Using mtr and traceroute

{: #using-mtr-and-traceroute}

mtr and traceroute are Unix command line tools that let you measure performance or latency along a specific network path to a specified host or destination server.

For example:

  • mtr -rwc 20 example.com -T -4
  • mtr -rwc 20 8.8.8.8 -T -6
  • traceroute example.com -T -4
  • traceroute 8.8.8.8 -T -6
Option Definition
-c Sets the number of pings sent
-T Forces a TCP traceroute (normally ICMP)
-4 Forces the use of IPv4
-6 Forces the use of IPv6
{: caption="Command options" caption-side="bottom"}

Generating an HAR file

{: #generating-a-har-file}

An HAR file is a recording of HTTP requests from a web browser. Browsers, such as Chrome, have a Developer Tools section that can help you get set up to make HAR files. For more information on how to create a HAR file, see How do I generate a HAR file? in the troubleshooting section.