How to Know Which Google Data Center is Accessed?

DC questions.

[chinkchink]

These might be stupid questions....

When I do a search on G, How do I know which data center is providing the result I am looking at?

Is it possible to specify a DC when doing a search? if so, how?

thank you everyone

[BillyS]

If you know the DC you want to query, then just enter that IP address in the address bar of your browswer. There are many threads here that list many of the data centers.

Maybe there is an easier way, but when I want to know the IP of a center, I get a command line (Run, command in Windows) and use the tracert command. The IP of the website shows right up. for example:

tracert www.google.com

I'm sure there is an easier way...

[diddlydazz]

hi chinkchink

as billys said tracert is one way of finding out your current DC.

remember that your data center can change continously so you may not be looking at the same data center every time you search.

if you use (Win xp/nt/2000):

nslookup google.com

it will give you anything up to three data centers that are currently being juggled by your DNS (Domain Name Server).

to find out which server is being used for the cache hover your mouse over the cached link.

What operating system are you using?

dazz

[chinkchink]

I am using WINS XP
billys and dazz, your suggestions worked great.
Thank you very much

[Searg]

I don't know if we can paste things but i've found a really cool tool that i use that really comes in handy.

[mcdar.net...]

it's good to know some of these are test centers as the data usually doesn't roll out on all of them but it definately helps b/c many times i'll see changes rolling on different datacenters here that may be days before it actually happens. ;-)

[chinkchink]

wow!
Searg, that is awsome!
thanks so much

[vaniaul]

Oh Great! this thread is discussing something really informative...

Searg - Thats the perfect tool you've suggested. Comprehensive info!

And Thanks - BillyS diddlydazz, this ping trick also worked out well.

My Query:

In February, one of our PR6 sites just vanished away from Google - though its back again now. I'm actually wondering why did it happen all of a sudden, as this is our main site.

Can it be possible due to Data Centres or there may be some other reason?

Any help on this is highly awaited. Thanks in advance!