How Do I Point Nslookup to a Specific DNS Server?

How Do I Point Nslookup to a Specific DNS Server?

The ‘nslookup’ command is a powerful tool used in networking to query DNS (Domain Name System) servers. By default, it uses the system’s configured DNS server to perform the lookup.

However, there may be situations where you need to specify a specific DNS server to use with nslookup. In this tutorial, we will explore different methods to point nslookup to a specific DNS server.

Method 1: Using the Server Parameter

The simplest way to point nslookup to a specific DNS server is by using the ‘server’ parameter followed by the IP address or hostname of the desired DNS server.

To do this:

1. Open your command prompt or terminal.
2. Type nslookup followed by a space.
3. Type server followed by another space.
4. Enter the IP address or hostname of the desired DNS server.
• Note: If you specify an IP address, it should be in dotted-decimal notation (e.g., 192.168.0.1).
5. Press Enter to execute the command.

Your nslookup queries will now be directed to the specified DNS server instead of using the default one.

Method 2: Using Interactive Mode

An alternative method is by entering interactive mode in nslookup and then specifying the desired DNS server using the ‘lserver’ command.

To accomplish this:

1. Open your command prompt or terminal.
2. Type nslookup and press Enter.
3. Type lserver followed by a space.
4. Press Enter to set the DNS server.

You are now ready to perform nslookup queries against the specified DNS server.

Method 3: Modifying System Configuration

In some cases, you may want to permanently change the default DNS server for all applications on your system, including nslookup. This can be achieved by modifying your system’s network configuration settings.

The steps to modify the system configuration vary depending on your operating system:

Windows

1. Click on the Start menu and open the Control Panel.
2. Select ‘Network and Internet’ or ‘Network and Sharing Center’ (depending on your version of Windows).
3. Click on ‘Change adapter settings’ in the left sidebar.
4. Right-click on your active network connection and choose ‘Properties’ from the context menu.
5. Select ‘Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)’ and click on ‘Properties.’
6. Select ‘Use the following DNS server addresses.’
• Note: Enter the IP address(es) of the desired DNS server(s) in their respective fields.

macOS

1. Click on the Apple menu and open ‘System Preferences.’
2. Select ‘Network.’
3. Select your active network connection from the left sidebar.
4. Click on the ‘Advanced’ button in the lower-right corner.
5. Go to the ‘DNS’ tab.
6. Add or remove DNS server addresses by clicking on the ‘+’ or ‘-‘ buttons, respectively.

After modifying your system configuration, all applications, including nslookup, will use the newly specified DNS server(s) by default.

Now that you know different methods to point nslookup to a specific DNS server, you can troubleshoot and perform DNS lookups with precision. Choose the method that suits your needs best and enhance your networking capabilities!