Which command is used to query DNS servers for DNS lookup tasks?

Which command is used to query DNS servers for DNS lookup tasks?

• A. nslookup
• B. Dig
• C. route
• D. traceroute

Answer: (B)

When you need to ask DNS servers for specific records and understand exactly how the DNS response is formed, a tool designed for DNS queries is the most useful. Dig is built for this purpose. It lets you request particular record types (like A, AAAA, MX, TXT), target a specific DNS server, and it returns a structured response that includes the QUESTION, ANSWER, AUTHORITY, and ADDITIONAL sections. This level of detail is invaluable for diagnosing DNS problems, verifying zone configurations, and observing how DNS propagation behaves. You can also tailor output with options like +short for concise results or specify the record type directly (for example, querying an A record for a domain). In contrast, the other commands shown are not used for DNS lookups. One reveals the host’s routing table, which is about how the device routes traffic. The other shows the path that packets take to reach a destination, which is about network reachability rather than DNS resolution.

When you need to ask DNS servers for specific records and understand exactly how the DNS response is formed, a tool designed for DNS queries is the most useful. Dig is built for this purpose. It lets you request particular record types (like A, AAAA, MX, TXT), target a specific DNS server, and it returns a structured response that includes the QUESTION, ANSWER, AUTHORITY, and ADDITIONAL sections. This level of detail is invaluable for diagnosing DNS problems, verifying zone configurations, and observing how DNS propagation behaves. You can also tailor output with options like +short for concise results or specify the record type directly (for example, querying an A record for a domain).

In contrast, the other commands shown are not used for DNS lookups. One reveals the host’s routing table, which is about how the device routes traffic. The other shows the path that packets take to reach a destination, which is about network reachability rather than DNS resolution.