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Linux dig command

The Linux dig command is a powerful tool used for querying Domain Name System (DNS) servers. It can provide detailed information about various DNS records, such as IP addresses, name servers, and more. By default, dig provides a lot of information, including the query time, the server that provided the response, and the flags used in the query. It can be used to troubleshoot DNS-related issues, verify DNS configurations, and gather DNS-related information. With its flexibility and extensive features, the Linux dig command is a valuable tool for network administrators and anyone working with DNS infrastructure.

dig Syntax:

Terminal window
dig [options] [domain]

Options:

OptionDescription
+traceTrace the delegation path from the root name servers for the given domain.
+allShow all records, including cache-only records.
+shortDisplay only the answer section in a terse format.
+nocmdSuppress the initial comment showing the command line options.
+nosearchDisable the search list for domain lookups.
+domain=NAMESet the search list to a single domain.
-b addressBind to a specific source address when making queries.
-p portUse a non-standard port number.

Parameters:

ParameterDescription
domainThe domain to look up.

dig Usage:

Perform a basic DNS lookup

Terminal window
dig www.example.com

This command performs a basic DNS lookup for the domain “www.example.com”.

Perform a reverse DNS lookup

Terminal window
dig -x 8.8.8.8

Performs a reverse DNS lookup for the IP address “8.8.8.8” to find the associated domain name.

Query a specific DNS server

Terminal window
dig @8.8.4.4 www.example.com

Queries the DNS server at IP address “8.8.4.4” specifically for the domain “www.example.com”.

Display more detailed output

Terminal window
dig +trace www.example.com

Displays a more detailed output by tracing the DNS query for the domain “www.example.com”.

How do I use dig in Linux?

To use the dig command in Linux, execute the following command:

Terminal window
dig example.com

What is the syntax for querying a specific DNS server with dig?

To query a specific DNS server using dig in Linux, use the following command syntax:

Terminal window
dig @dns_server example.com

How can I perform a reverse DNS lookup with dig in Linux?

To perform a reverse DNS lookup using dig in Linux, use the following command structure:

Terminal window
dig -x IP_address

How do I limit the number of retries when using dig in Linux?

To limit the number of retries when using the dig command in Linux, you can specify the +tries option like this:

Terminal window
dig +tries=N example.com

How can I display additional information in the dig command output?

To display additional information in the dig command output, you can use the +all option like this:

Terminal window
dig +all example.com

What is the command to perform a DNS query with a specific record type using dig in Linux?

To perform a DNS query with a specific record type using dig in Linux, use the following syntax:

Terminal window
dig -t type example.com

How do I check the DNSSEC information for a domain using dig in Linux?

To check the DNSSEC information for a domain using dig in Linux, you can use the following command:

Terminal window
dig +dnssec example.com

Applications of the dig command

  • Query DNS-related information
  • Display DNS records
  • Check DNS configuration
  • Troubleshoot DNS issues
  • Perform DNS lookups
  • Verify DNS settings
  • Debug DNS problems