> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.thousandeyes.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.thousandeyes.com/product-documentation/internet-and-wan-monitoring/viewing-data/using-the-dns-server-view.md).

# Using the DNS Server View

## Related Video

This video shows how to read DNS Server view panels and metrics.

{% embed url="<https://thousandeyes.wistia.com/medias/vh6arf7jon>" %}

The DNS Server view presents metrics from DNS Server tests to assess DNS server performance, identify issues like slow resolution or errors, and ensure reliable DNS services critical for application accessibility. It supports troubleshooting by correlating DNS metrics with network or application data, visualized across multiple tabs.

For more information about views, see [Getting Started with Views](https://docs.thousandeyes.com/product-documentation/internet-and-wan-monitoring/viewing-data/getting-started-with-views). For more information about DNS tests, see [Tests: DNS Layer](https://docs.thousandeyes.com/product-documentation/tests#dns-layer).

## Example of the DNS Server View

To access the DNS Server view, navigate to **Network & App Synthetics > Views**, select a *DNS Server Test* from the **Current Test** dropdown, and choose the **DNS Server** layer in the timeline (this is the default for DNS Server tests).

The example below shows the results for a DNS server test configured for thousandeyes.com:

![DNS Server view example showing test results](https://1112912342-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M4QARF6s57qxMrOHDTZ%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-880354f92c3ea5a37ac67fc239723c3a9dad5ba4%2Fusing-the-dns-server-view-example.png?alt=media\&token=64607264-9350-4d98-bd40-e74c27e800cd)

## Metrics for DNS Server Tests

### Metrics Plottable on the Timeline for DNS Server Tests

The timeline displays availability and resolution time as line graphs. You can add overlays and highlight data from specific agents to compare performance across locations or vantage points. For metric definitions and calculation details, see [DNS Server test metrics](https://docs.thousandeyes.com/product-documentation/tests/dns-tests#dns-server-test-metrics).

### Overlays for DNS Server Tests

Overlays facilitate comparative analysis by visualizing how availability and resolution time trend over time, with the ability to highlight specific agents to identify regional or agent-specific issues. Highlighting specific agents isolates performance variations, aiding in pinpointing regional or agent-specific problems.

Two overlays are available to enrich the DNS Server timeline view, *Agents* and *Servers*.

### Adding Agents to the Timeline

To add agents to the timeline, first select the **Agents** overlay option. Then click the checkbox to the right of each agent you want to display on the timeline.

![Agents overlay in the DNS Server view](https://1112912342-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M4QARF6s57qxMrOHDTZ%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-a3661ad5d2b4d4aa48ce9bcf808340a53ac9a1ef%2Fusing-the-dns-server-view-overlay-agents.png?alt=media\&token=3ed848fc-d5cb-41b7-a357-29be35719921)

### Adding Servers to the Timeline

To add servers to the timeline, first select the **Servers** overlay option. Then click the checkbox to the right of each server you want to display on the timeline.

![Servers overlay in the DNS Server view](https://1112912342-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M4QARF6s57qxMrOHDTZ%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-92555ca20a0bef617918e0c84a23da26d66a3e62%2Fusing-the-dns-server-view-overlay-servers.png?alt=media\&token=0a9b62f7-37a6-4d06-891b-5cff8b01783b)

You can also add servers to the overlay from the servers listed under the **Table** tab.

## View Details for DNS Server Tests

### Timeline for DNS Server Tests

To change the selected metric displayed in the timeline, use the metrics selector menu. Hovering over the name of the metric displays a label with the text **Set as selected metric**.

![DNS Server view metrics selector](https://1112912342-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M4QARF6s57qxMrOHDTZ%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-647dad7c33d92bb86e39a30f2a810e7ae9aa4d84%2Fusing-the-dns-server-view-metrics-set.png?alt=media\&token=6e5a11f1-c63d-4bfc-ab8e-fe679b9ce104)

Select multiple metrics by clicking the checkbox next to the name of the metric listed in the selector menu.

![Multiple metrics selected in the DNS Server view](https://1112912342-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M4QARF6s57qxMrOHDTZ%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-1d17d7840427f9d1efdd2c348ec461d1072215df%2Fusing-the-dns-server-view-multimetric-compare.png?alt=media\&token=5134fdc0-4cfd-4602-8c8c-3b0dc8e7d325)

The selected metrics will appear in the timeline.

![Selected metrics displayed in the DNS Server timeline](https://1112912342-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M4QARF6s57qxMrOHDTZ%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-3c6e590c03a310e0f7ffec46e6ac5e9b0d297f5a%2Fusing-the-dns-server-view-multimetric-compare-1.png?alt=media\&token=09d58820-b346-43d6-93bc-62f478e54929)

Metrics that cannot be compared in this view are labeled **Unable to compare with this metric**.

![DNS Server metrics that cannot be compared](https://1112912342-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M4QARF6s57qxMrOHDTZ%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-5f172ce83519da6257a1067e4011b3de861a5090%2Fusing-the-dns-server-view-multimetric-compare-2.png?alt=media\&token=7c64786e-c34f-4288-9f8a-e4c9e4195933)

## Map for DNS Server View

The map displays the average availability and resolution time from every listed nameserver and agent location. This is the default tab selected when you first access the DNS server view.

![DNS Server view map tab](https://1112912342-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M4QARF6s57qxMrOHDTZ%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-0d44c09e949012fe424fb5ff3e516845f7dcaf84%2Fusing-the-dns-server-view-map-tab.png?alt=media\&token=ae40625c-5dde-4101-8d21-ff4e2151b8e5)

## Table View for DNS Server Tests

The table summarizes metrics for each agent running the DNS Server test, showing data for the most recent test round or a selected time range. Each row represents an agent and DNS server pair, with columns for each metric. You can sort the table by clicking the table header. You can click column headers to sort by a metric to quickly identify outliers.

![DNS Server view table tab](https://1112912342-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M4QARF6s57qxMrOHDTZ%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-0af4cf362133f0357481e72c85e61b92fb8021ff%2Fusing-the-dns-server-view-table-tab.png?alt=media)

To filter on a specific DNS server, you can either select **Filter by this** from the ellipsis menu shown at the end of the row (shown above), or you can select the server from the **Servers** menu at the top of the screen. You can also filter on specific agents by selecting them from the **Agents** menu at the top of the screen, next to the **Servers** menu.

To add an agent from this list to the timeline overlay, select "Add to timeline overlays". For more information about using the timeline overlays, see the **Timeline Overlays** section in this document.

Grouping by agent or server aggregates data in the table. When aggregated by DNS server, average metrics are shown across all agents querying that server. This is useful for assessing server-specific performance. When aggregating by agent, metrics are shown across all servers queried by that agent. This is ideal for geographic or network-specific analysis.

### Multiple Test Selection for DNS Server Tests

The DNS Server layer supports multi-test selection, allowing you to compare up to 10 related DNS Server tests together in the same view. This enables you to better understand performance and responses throughout your distributed DNS architecture.

When multiple tests are selected, the table additionally shows test name and record columns at the beginning of the row. For more information about selecting multiple tests, see [Multi-Service Views](https://docs.thousandeyes.com/product-documentation/internet-and-wan-monitoring/tests/multi-service-views).