by These DNS commands are well-known for their great functionality and are also frequently applied for DNS troubleshooting. The reason for that is they are simple and easy to use. You are able to check essential information about your DNS records and what is the condition of your network. Moreover, it doesn’t matter what Operating System (OS) you are using, Windows, macOS, or Linux. You already have several commands pre-build in your OS. Therefore, let’s clarify which are the most popular DNS commands and explain a little bit more about them.
Dig command
Dig command is one of the pre-installed DNS commands on macOS. In case you are using Linux or Windows, you can quickly install the command. It is a handy and beneficial DNS diagnostic tool. This command is able to give information about all types of DNS records. In addition, you can probe your nameservers, traceroute both IPv4 address and IPv6 address, or check a precise port. Troubleshooting with the Dig command is fast and easy, and it is definitely worth it.
For instance, if you desire to view all the available data for a particular domain, type in the command line:
$ dig yourdomain.net any
Just make sure you replace the domain name with the one you want to see or an IP address. The Dig command is fantastic because it produces the entire information about the query you requested. In case you wish to get a more precise result, you can try one of the multiple options that the Dig command offers.
NSLookup command
The NSLookup command is another very popular type of DNS command that is commonly used for DNS diagnostic. The great thing about it is that it is present on all of the popular operating systems (OS). In case you decide to use it, you are going to be able to explore different types fo DNS records. Moreover, the NSlookup command has multiple options from which you can choose.
In this example, you can use the NSLookup command to view all the available DNS records. Simply write in the command line:
$ nslookup -type=any yourdomain.net
As a result, it is going to provide you with all of the available DNS records for the exact domain. On the other hand, if you wish to view a precise DNS record, replace the type to NS, A, AAAA, MX, SOA, etc. Just make sure to replace it with a different domain name or IP address.
Host command
The Host commands have very similar functionality to the Dig command. Therefore, when you are using it, you can view the available DNS records. Thus, applying it for DNS troubleshooting is a great idea. In addition, you can check an IP address or domain name, complete reverse DNS lookup, either examine the domain’s nameservers or adjust the DNS queries with different options. If you are a Linux user, the Host command is also built-in, similar to the Dig command. Therefore, you can easily choose which one you desire to use.
For example, if you wish to examine all the available DNS information about a domain, write in the command line:
$ host -a yourdomain.net
Google Admin Toolbox Dig
Here is an excellent option for DNS troubleshooting in the shape of an online tool. For instance, there is an online variant of the Dig command from Google. With it, you can quickly query various kinds of records, such as A, AAAA, MX, CNAME, PTR, etc. Moreover, you can complete DNS lookup by simply entering a domain name you wish to inspect.
Conclusion.
Apply the recommended tools when and how you want. Indeed, they are going to provide you with the data you require.
