The dig
command, short for Domain Information Groper, is a powerful tool used for querying DNS (Domain Name System) servers. It helps users retrieve information about domain names, such as IP addresses, mail servers, and other DNS records.
The basic syntax of the dig
command is as follows:
dig [options] [arguments]
@server
: Specifies the DNS server to query.-t type
: Defines the type of DNS record to retrieve (e.g., A, MX, TXT).+short
: Provides a concise output, showing only the answer section.-x address
: Performs a reverse lookup, converting an IP address to a domain name.+trace
: Traces the delegation path from the root DNS servers to the authoritative server.Here are some practical examples of using the dig
command:
dig example.com
dig -t MX example.com
dig @8.8.8.8 example.com
dig -x 8.8.8.8
dig +short example.com
dig +trace example.com
+short
option for quick lookups when you only need the answer.+trace
option can help you understand where the resolution process is failing.@server
option if you want to test against a specific server, especially if you suspect local DNS caching issues.