Versions:
dnslookup is a lightweight, open-source command-line utility developed by Andrey Meshkov that enables users to perform DNS queries against a specified name server and receive the raw, unfiltered response. Designed for network administrators, developers, and security analysts who need to inspect DNS behavior beyond the standard system resolver, the tool accepts arguments such as the target domain, query type (A, AAAA, MX, TXT, PTR, CAA, DNSKEY, and more), and an optional upstream server address, then prints the complete answer section along with response time, flags, and authority records. Its minimalist design makes it ideal for rapid diagnostics in shell scripts, CI pipelines, or interactive troubleshooting sessions where verifying delegation, spotting spoofing, or comparing authoritative versus recursive answers is critical. Since its initial release the project has evolved through six public versions, culminating in 1.11.2, with incremental improvements in EDNS0 support, IPv6 transport stability, timeout granularity, and output formatting. The utility runs natively on Windows, macOS, and Linux without further dependencies, so it can be invoked from PowerShell, Command Prompt, or any POSIX shell, and its exit codes facilitate automation in larger monitoring frameworks. dnslookup sits in the Network & Internet category of developer tools, complementing packet sniffers and benchmarking suites by offering a focused, scriptable view of DNS resolution. The software is available for free on get.nero.com, with downloads provided via trusted Windows package sources (e.g. winget), always delivering the latest version, and supporting batch installation of multiple applications.
Tags: