Hi again, I actually have definitive answers this time (got skipjack loaded so I can use nslookup). The actual commands: server servername.dom # Sets nslookup to query a specific server set type=soa # sets nslookup to query only soa information. I know dig and host are the "new" tools but i'm from the old school and as long as I have nslookup source that's what i'll use! The soa record provides the serial number of the table from which the server is answering. By querying the secondary dns's soa for your domain you will get the serial number which should match the serial number in your primary tables. For example I use the four digit year, the two digit month, the two digit day and then a two digit counter for the day. That gives me a serial number like 2002050501. So, the actual commands are: bash$ nslookup > server backup.mydomain.dom # substitute actual name > set type=soa > mydomain.dhs.org The resulting information should match the @soa record's information on your primary dns. Typically it should not take more than an hour to "catch up". Sorry about the bad syntax in my previous post. Regards, Cecil
