[Article] great script to check if a website is up

[SilverNodashi]

Too often have I seen cashed-DNS problems, especially after a network maintenance period, IP update, or even domain transfer - where the client's think their websites are down.

This website will tell you if a website is down, or not: http://www.downforeveryoneorjustme.com

Another useful website to use, to check if a website is working like it should, or if the updates you have applied is there (but your PC or ISP's cache is not showing the changes) is http://www.proxify.com

[Dave A]

Maybe just to add what you can do if it is a cache problem:

Repairing your network connection will flush your PC DNS cache. There are other slightly more complicated ways, but this one is simple.

However, if the problem is your ISP's cache, you either need to use a proxy server that has updated, or wait it out. Personally, I find changing proxy settings rather irritating.

Another tip for a planned move - reduce the cache time for your DNS on your old server before you do the move. Normally it is set for 24 hours, but you can reduce it down to one hour (or even fifteen minutes - but imagine the server load )

[SilverNodashi]

Hi Dave,

The problem with DNS cache is more prominent when move sites from different hosts, where you don't have control over the DNS at all.

I also noted this same problem when some ISP's have updated their DNS server on ADSL, and thus the end user has problems, even though they reset their ADSL modems, and even clear their DNS cache (telling them to reboot Windows is easier though). IS, for one, has this bad habbit of changing transparrent proxy's without prior notification, and it often cause problems.