NsLookup

What Does NsLookup Mean?

NsLookup is a tool included in many operating systems that can look up IP addresses and perform other searches on DNS domains and servers. This resource is housed in a utility called nslookup.exe. NsLookup is a basic way to get fundamental DNS information quickly and easily.

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Techopedia Explains NsLookup

NsLookup is typically a command-line tool, which means that it uses the command-line structure familiar to many users who have used older PC-DOS operating systems. In order to use command-line tools, users may have to shell out of a Windows-based environment in order to access the command-line interface.

In addition to looking up server information, NsLookup can be used to test IP connections. Users can set items like retry and timeout, designate a root server, or get debugging information. NsLookup can also be used to check mail exchanger or MX records that designate routing for emails according to what servers are attached to a particular domain. A full list of possible commands is available in NsLookup with the command "?" or "help."

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…