host
TLDR
Lookup IP address
$ host [example.com]
Reverse DNS lookup$ host [192.168.1.1]
Query specific DNS server$ host [example.com] [8.8.8.8]
Query specific record type$ host -t [MX] [example.com]
Verbose output$ host -v [example.com]
Query all records$ host -a [example.com]
SYNOPSIS
host [options] name [server]
DESCRIPTION
host is a simple DNS lookup utility. It converts hostnames to IP addresses and vice versa, and can query specific DNS record types.
The tool provides quick DNS queries without the complexity of dig, making it useful for simple lookups and troubleshooting.
PARAMETERS
-t type
Query type (A, AAAA, MX, NS, TXT, SOA, etc.).-a
Query all record types.-v
Verbose output.-4
Use IPv4 only.-6
Use IPv6 only.-r
Non-recursive query.-W seconds
Query timeout.-R retries
Number of retries.-T
Use TCP instead of UDP.
CAVEATS
Less detailed than dig. Caching may affect results. Some record types need explicit query. Name server defaults to system resolver.
HISTORY
host is part of BIND (Berkeley Internet Name Domain), developed originally at UC Berkeley in the 1980s. It provides a simplified interface compared to dig and nslookup, targeting users who need quick DNS lookups.
