Why Good DNS Change Management Matters
Introduction
The Domain Name System (DNS) provides the master directory for the whole internet. The most common place a user runs into DNS is to translate domain names, like “example.com,” into the IP addresses computers use. It also is used to find the server for Email and provide data needed for a number of important processes. DNS was developed many years ago and the fact that it has not been replaced by something newer is a testament to the brilliance of those early network engineers.
DNS changes happen often during tasks like launching web apps, moving servers, updating security settings, or just updating Email anti-spam processes. Poor management of these changes causes downtime, security risks, and potentially compliance issues. Effective DNS change management prevents these problems, and in this article we will discuss effective change management and the advantages of managing those changes within the ResorsIT IT Operations Management (ITOM) platform.
Risks of Poor DNS Change Management
Mismanaged DNS changes lead to serious issues. Downtime occurs when names point to wrong addresses, or other records are misconfigured, breaking websites or apps. This disrupts customer access and reduces business operations. Security risks increase, as misconfigured DNS can allow hackers to redirect traffic or steal data. Compliance violations can happen if changes aren’t tracked, as some compliance frameworks require changes to be managed and tracked. Modern IT setups, with hybrid clouds and frequent updates, make these risks worse due to increased complexity. Just imagine the consequences of making an improper change and not having the prior configuration to roll back to!
Key Components of Effective DNS Change Management
Strong DNS change management relies on specific tools and practices. These ensure control, visibility, and quick recovery.
ResorsIT DNS Change Management provides a strong set of capabilities and leverages a deep domain expertise in
source code version control. Features include:
Version Tracking
Version tracking saves every DNS configuration. It creates a history to review past changes. This helps identify errors or unusual patterns quickly.
User Identification
Logging who makes changes improves accountability. User IDs or roles show who edited a record. This simplifies troubleshooting and supports audits.
Comparison of Changes
Comparing old and new DNS records highlights differences. Tools display added, removed, or edited entries clearly. This makes spotting mistakes easier.
Notification or Detection of Changes
Automated alerts detect DNS changes quickly. They flag unauthorized or unexpected updates. Proactive monitoring catches issues before they escalate.
Rollback or Undo Functionality
Rollback tools equip users to roll back the DNS to a previous state. This restores stable settings fast during errors, reducing downtime.
Additional Practices
(Coming Soon in ResorsIT!) For an additional level of control and auditabilty, leverage a workflow process within ResorsIT. Approval workflows ensure changes are reviewed before they go live. Linking to a change request system (e.g. FreeScout) aligns DNS with broader IT processes.
Integration with ResorsIT – Your IT Operations Management Platform
ITOM platforms centralize monitoring, automation, and web app setup. Managing DNS changes with ResorsIT takes DNS change control from yet another stand-alone (or registrar-specific) application to an integrated component in your operating environment. This enables you to better coordinate changes in DNS with configuration changes or new application deployments within your network.
ResorsIT enhances this by monitoring DNS configs live. It detects changes and triggers alerts automatically. This creates a unified view, connecting DNS updates to ITOM dashboards.
Benefits of Good DNS Change Management
Proper DNS management delivers clear advantages:
- Reliability: Rollbacks and comparisons fix issues faster, cutting downtime.
- Security and Compliance: Tracking users and changes prevents breaches and meets regulations.
- Efficiency: A well documented environment speeds up app deployments without DNS errors.
- Cost Savings: Less downtime and fewer manual fixes reduce expenses.
- Scalability: Automated tools handle growing DNS needs as companies expand.
Conclusion
DNS change management prevents downtime, boosts security, and supports compliance. Integrating it with ResorsIT streamlines app deployments and configuration changes by leveraging it’s ITOM platform. Checkout how the ResorsIT DNS Change Management System can help you maintain reliable systems today!