Dictionary · Linux and Windows Commands
nslookup
Name resolution · Beginner
A name-lookup utility available on Windows, Linux, and macOS. It asks a name server for records and is convenient for a quick query.
It is the everyday lookup tool, especially on Windows. For a fuller explanation of the answer, many administrators prefer dig on Unix-like systems.
Example: nslookup example.com asks the configured resolver for the address of example.com.
Command
Platform: Windows, Linux, and macOS
nslookup example.com
The server line is who answered. The address list is the record that was returned. A non-existent domain produces an error instead of an address.
Common misconception
- A successful lookup proves the name resolves. It does not prove you can connect to the service on that host.