There are many ways to track errors and internal trouble within the Windows 10 operating system. However, not every user can utilize the tools and commands to utilize their PC performance efficiently.
In this article, we will introduce to you the NSLOOKUP command and its application in Windows 10. You can use it to analyze DNS records propagation and resolution within servers and find a solution for them instead of manually checking each section to find the issue.
Dive in and find out! Check out our site for more helpful tips and guides if you find this article useful!
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How To Use NSLOOKUP?
Follow these steps to activate the command.
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- Go to Start, click the Search bar, and type “cmd”.
- Click on Command Prompt.
- On the black command tab, type NSLOOKUP and press Enter. You will see your device’s local DNS (Domain Name System) server and its IP (Internet Protocol) address.
- Type NSLOOKUP and domain name to display a record for the domain you are looking for. For example, type nslookup <space> google.com, and a display for Google’s domain will show up on the tab.
- Type NSLOOKUP <space> -q= <DNS record type>, in which record types can be MX, TXT, A or CNAME. The results will be Non-authoritative answers. To exit, type Exit and press Enter.
- As a troubleshooting tool, you can add a specific record type next to the command to look it up, using the following line: NSLOOKUP <space> -type= <record type>, whereas the record type is either A, MX, PTR, CNAME, NS or ANY.
- To find the domain for your query, type NSLOOKUP -type=ns <domain name> and press Enter. A list of name servers for the specified domain will be displayed.
These are the most common examples of NSLOOKUP commands. Keep in mind that if you are unsure about how this command works, or any command, type Help or ? to get a full list of all commands and instructions. Pressing Up and Down arrows allows you to reuse previously typed commands.
Why Do I Need To Use NSLOOKUP Command?
NSLOOKUP is a very versatile and convenient tool for IT administrators to test and search for system errors. Whether a major corporation system or a personal computer network, it can help track discrepancies easily.
As an internal search tool, it can get all the server’s information within seconds, which can be used for troubleshooting server connections. You can operate it on every OS (Operating system).
Another reason for using the NSLOOKUP command is its safety feature. IT technicians can use it to detect false domains and protect from phishing attacks, which involve using seemingly similar domains to trick inexperienced users into false websites. For example, phishing domains may look strikingly similar to official domains like face-book.com and facebook.com.
Practical Uses For NSLOOKUP Command
As useful as it is, there are plenty of applications for this command that you should note down.
- Find a record of a domain: If you need to find specific records for a domain, just type the domain’s name after the command. IP addresses for each one will be displayed. (nslookup <name>.com)
- Check NS records of a domain: Display the authoritative server for a domain. (nslookup -type=ns <name>.com)
- Find the source MX records of email exchange: Learn if the mail servers are working properly. (nslookup -query=mx <name>.com)
- Querying SOA (State of authority) record of a domain: Initiate the Start of authority and get all information about this section. (nslookup -type=soa <name>.com)
- Find all DNS records of a domain: Display every record available in a specific domain. (nslookup -type= any <name>.com)
- Review a particular DNS server: Check if they are active or not (nslookup <name>.com ns1. <name>.com)
- Check for PTR records: Verify IP addresses from a domain name by a reverse DNS query. For example, with the IP address being 185.136.96.96, convert it to 96.96.136.185 and type in-addr.arpa to check the PTR records. (nslookup -type= ptr (reverse IP address) in-addr.arpa)
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- Reverse DNS lookup: You can check for the domain name by inserting the IP address. (nslookup 10.20.30.40)
- Change timeout interval for replies: Give the server more or less time to respond, as well as adjust which server to apply. (nslookup -timeout=<number of seconds> <name>.com)
- Debug mode: Display detailed information regarding the server for troubleshooting. (nslookup -debug <name>.com)
Final Verdict
If you wish to learn how to fix server errors by yourself, the NSLOOKUP command is one of the best tools for beginners. It works on all operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, so practice makes perfect!
Thank you for reading!
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