Introduction
DNS name resolution problems can be a major source of frustration for network administrators. Fortunately, there are a number of useful tools available to help troubleshoot these issues. In this article, we will discuss four of the most useful tools for troubleshooting DNS name resolution problems: nslookup, dig, traceroute, and ping. Each of these tools can provide valuable insight into the cause of the problem and help you quickly resolve the issue.
4 Useful Tools to Troubleshoot DNS Name Resolution Problems
1. nslookup: This is a command-line tool used to query DNS servers for information about a domain name. It can be used to troubleshoot DNS name resolution problems.
2. dig: This is a command-line tool used to query DNS servers for information about a domain name. It can be used to troubleshoot DNS name resolution problems.
3. tracert: This is a command-line tool used to trace the route of a packet from the source to the destination. It can be used to troubleshoot DNS name resolution problems by identifying any network issues that may be causing the problem.
4. Network Monitor: This is a graphical tool used to monitor network traffic. It can be used to troubleshoot DNS name resolution problems by identifying any network issues that may be causing the problem.
DNS (Domain Name System) is the phonebook of the internet. A Domain name is a unique alphanumeric address that users type in the URL bar in the browser in order to access a website.
Domain names enable users to access a website instead of using an IP address that maps onto every domain name. Sometimes, you may encounter DNS issues such as a misconfigured DNS server which might lead to downtime.
In this guide, we look at 4 tools you can leverage to troubleshoot DNS Name resolution problems in Linux.
1. Nslookup Command
The good old nslookup command has been around for a while. It’s a command-line tool that queries and provides detailed information about the internet domain name servers.
You would typically use the nslookup tool to obtain DNS records of a domain name such as the mapping between a domain name and its associated IP address. The information obtained from querying a DNS record is valuable in troubleshooting DNS-related issues.
To retrieve information about a DNS record, use the following syntax:
$ nslookup domain_name
For example, to check the DNS record of a domain called linuxtechwhiz.info, run the command:
$ nslookup linuxtechwhiz.info
If everything is okay, you should get output that resembles what we have here.
The first section displays information about the server used to obtain the DNS records. In this case, it is the local DNS server on my local network. Sometimes, this might be your router or an internal corporate server.
The second section displays the Fully Qualified Domain name and its corresponding IP address (Both IPv4 and IPv6). In some cases, like ours, IPv4 is the only active protocol.
For some domain names, both protocols are enabled. For example, if you query google.com, you find that the domain name maps to multiple IP addresses, both IPv4 and IPv6.
$ nslookup google.com
2. dig Command
Short for Domain Information Groper, dig is yet another command-line tool for querying Domain Name System (DNS) name servers. It’s a better DNS query tool and replaced the nslookup command.
The dig command allows you to perform DNS lookups and provide intricate details about various DNS records including A, MX, and SOA records.
The most straightforward way of probing a DNS record is by typing the dig command followed by the domain name and pressing ENTER.
$ dig linuxtechwhiz.info
The output of the dig command is quite verbose. To display the IP address mapping include the +short suffix as shown.
$ dig linuxtechwhiz.info +short 74.207.227.36
The command-line tools that we have just looked at only provide limited information about your DNS records and cannot adequately be used to troubleshoot complex DNS issues.
3. MXToolBox
MXToolBox is a free online tool (paid for extra features) that provides fast and accurate network diagnostic and DNS lookup tools.
It provides you with a comprehensive outlook of your domain health, which includes monitoring your domain, displaying information about any DNS or IP blacklists, probing the email server for any issues, checking the web server, and running over 15 tests on your DNS server.
It’s a highly recommended tool if your sole purpose is to get to the bottom of any DNS-related issue.
4. IntoDNS
IntoDNS is another valuable tool that you can use to check and troubleshoot any DNS-related issues. In just a few seconds, it generates a detailed report about NS records, nameservers, SOA and MX records, TTL, refresh interval, and much more.
In addition, it provides information about mail servers’ IP address and their validity and any possible problem with your domain name.
Closing Thoughts
These are just a few tools that provide insights into your DNS records which come in handy in troubleshooting any faults or errors associated with your domain. We hope you found this guide insightful. Feel free to reach out with any comments or feedback.
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4 Useful Tools to Troubleshoot DNS Name Resolution Problems
DNS name resolution problems can be difficult to diagnose and fix. Fortunately, there are a number of tools available to help you troubleshoot and resolve these issues. Here are four of the most useful tools for troubleshooting DNS name resolution problems.
1. nslookup
The nslookup command-line tool is a great way to quickly check the DNS records for a domain. It can be used to query the DNS server for information about a domain, such as the IP address, mail server, and other records. It can also be used to troubleshoot DNS name resolution problems by checking the DNS records for a domain.
2. dig
The dig command-line tool is similar to nslookup, but it is more powerful and can provide more detailed information about a domain. It can be used to query the DNS server for information about a domain, such as the IP address, mail server, and other records. It can also be used to troubleshoot DNS name resolution problems by checking the DNS records for a domain.
3. traceroute
The traceroute command-line tool is a great way to check the route that a packet takes from one computer to another. It can be used to troubleshoot DNS name resolution problems by tracing the route that a packet takes from the DNS server to the destination computer. This can help you identify any potential problems along the way.
4. Ping
The ping command-line tool is a great way to check the connection between two computers. It can be used to troubleshoot DNS name resolution problems by pinging the DNS server to see if it is responding. If the DNS server is not responding, then it could be the cause of the DNS name resolution problem.
These four tools are great for troubleshooting DNS name resolution problems. They can help you quickly identify and resolve any issues that you may be having with DNS name resolution. If you are having trouble with DNS name resolution, then these tools can help you get to the bottom of the problem.
