dnshealth_exporter
dnshealth_exporter is a free, open-source tool for monitoring DNS zone health and exposing metrics for Prometheus dashboards and alerting.
What dnshealth_exporter is
dnshealth_exporter is a free, open-source tool for monitoring DNS zone health and exposing metrics for Prometheus dashboards and alerting. Implemented checks include SOA, recursion availability and glue consistency. Its intended signals also cover parent delegation, nameserver consistency, SOA correctness and MX validity, though the project is marked as early development.
The exporter serves metrics at http://localhost:9199/metrics and refreshes on a configurable probe interval that defaults to 60 seconds. The endpoint returns HTTP 503 until the first probe cycle is complete. Configuration uses a YAML file and can be reloaded without a restart by sending SIGHUP or posting to /-/reload. Setup instructions describe building from source with Go 1.26 or later; the README also includes an example systemd service with restart-on-failure and reload support. Metrics can feed Grafana dashboards and alerting, with thresholds and alert rules handled in Grafana or Alertmanager. A bundled Docker Compose demo runs the exporter alongside Prometheus, Grafana with a pre-imported dashboard and a CoreDNS hierarchy.
Good
- Implements SOA, recursion-available and glue checks.
- Metrics integrate with Prometheus dashboards and alerting.
- Configuration reloads without restarting.
- Includes a Docker Compose demo.
- Apache License 2.0.
Watch out
- Project is marked as early development.
- Requires building from source with Go 1.26 or later.
- Metrics endpoint returns HTTP 503 before its first probe completes.
- No dedicated support service is specified.
Who it suits
This tool suits operators running Linux or self-hosted DNS infrastructure who want DNS health metrics for Prometheus and Grafana. It may also help people evaluating the project through its bundled Docker Compose demo.
Verdict
dnshealth_exporter provides DNS checks and Prometheus metrics, with reload support and a demo environment. Its early-development status and documented build requirements are worth considering before relying on it operationally.
Plans and prices
From dnshealth_exporter's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Open-source software | Free | No paid tiers or usage limits stated |
The facts
Each one read from dnshealth_exporter's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Checks
- The README says SOA, recursion-available, and glue consistency checks are implemented; the project is marked early development.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Configuration
- Configuration can be reloaded without restarting, either by sending SIGHUP or by posting to /-/reload.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Demo
- A bundled Docker Compose demo runs the exporter, Prometheus, Grafana with a pre-imported dashboard, and a CoreDNS hierarchy.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The README documents building from source with Go 1.26 or later and running the exporter with a YAML configuration file.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The project describes using Prometheus metrics with Grafana dashboards and alerting, with thresholds and alert rules handled in Grafana or Alertmanager.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Intended use
- It is designed to surface DNS health signals such as parent delegation, nameserver consistency, SOA correctness, and MX validity.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Limits
- The README says the metrics endpoint returns HTTP 503 until the first probe cycle completes.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Metrics
- The exporter serves metrics at the local endpoint http://localhost:9199/metrics, refreshing on a configurable probe interval that defaults to 60 seconds.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Operations
- The README provides an example systemd service configuration with restart-on-failure and reload support.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- dnshealth_exporter monitors DNS zone health and exposes Prometheus metrics for dashboards and alerting.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Security
- The repository lists an Apache License 2.0 and does not state security certifications or compliance claims in the README.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The README provides a demo walkthrough and troubleshooting instructions but does not specify a support service or response commitment.checked 4 Oct 2026
Alternatives to dnshealth_exporter
- 1
Dotcom-Monitor
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI8.3From $13.33 a month - 2
Nagios XI
Free planWebAPILinuxmacOS8.1$2,595 one-time - 3
TLDTrack
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI8.0From $11 a month - 4
Visual Sentinel
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI8.0From $6 a month - 5
Paessler PRTG Network Monitor
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI7.7From $200 a month - 6
Domain Monitor
Free planAndroidWebAPI7.6From £6.39 a month