Finding The Domain Name Servers With The Dig Command
The dig command is similar to the host command and has to be executed as follows:
dig ns domain-name
Lets execute the dig command in a terminal of your choice:
dig ns google.com
The default output will be as follows:
If you just want to see the nameservers, use the +short option as follows:
dig +short ns google.com
The output will be as follows:
If you just want to see the nameservers, use the +short option as follows:
dig +short ns google.com
The output will be as follows:
The dig command can be further improved as follows to view the respective IP addresses particular name server records:
Why You Should Know Your Sites Name Servers
You donât need to know your websiteâs name servers, but it could be useful in the future. If you register a domain and purchase hosting from the same company, you can safely ignore your name servers without too many issues. If you switch, or if you register apart from your hosting, youâll need to have your name servers handy.
How To Easily Change Domain Nameservers
Last updated on September 24th, 2021 by Editorial Staff | Disclosure: Our content is reader-supported. This means if you click on some of our links, then we may earn a commission. See how WPBeginner is funded, why it matters, and how you can support us.
Do you need to change nameservers and point your domain to a new WordPress hosting provider?
Nameservers tell the global domain name system where to look for a particular website. This may sound a bit technical, but changing nameservers is actually a fairly straightforward process.
In this article, well show you how to easily change domain nameservers and point to a different host or firewall, step by step.
What Are Nameservers?
Nameservers are part of the global database of domain name system. Their job is to tell other computers where to find a domain name.
If your web hosting account is the house where your website files live, then the domain name is the street address of that house.
Nameservers tell the internet where to locate the website address associated with a domain name.
When you enter a domain name in your web browser, it first sends a request to a global network of servers that form the Domain Name System .
These servers then search for the respective nameservers associated with the domain and forward the request accordingly.
For example, if your website is hosted on Bluehost, then its nameserver information will be like this:
ns1.bluehost.comns2.bluehost.com
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Finding The Domain Name Servers With The Host Command
The host command is executed as follows:
host -t ns domain-name
Open a terminal and execute this command with a domain name of your choice.
host -t ns google.com
The output will be as follows:
Lets understand what this command means. The -t option specifies the types of nameserver records to be queried for. We specified the ns or name server option and we received the name server records.
If the -t option is not specified, a, aaaa, and mx are returned by default.
Other type parameters such as CNAME, NS, SOA, SIG, KEY, AXFR can be specified for advanced queries.
You can go one step further and look for particular name server records. To do this, repeat the host command with the relevant name server record type .
host -t a google.com
The output will be as follows:
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- SiteLock’s state-of-the-art security suite
Still, if you try us and decide that MyDomain just isn’t for you, we think you should get your money back.
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Change Nameservers For My Domains
Nameservers are your primary DNS controller, and changing your nameservers changes where you manage your DNS settings. Correct nameserver settings are critical to making sure your email and website work correctly. Your domain must be registered with GoDaddy in your account to change nameservers.
Note: You’ll need to verify your identity if you have domain protection on your domain. We’ll send a verification code automatically if you’ve had 2-step verification enabled in your account for more than 72 hours. Otherwise, select Send Password and we’ll send a one-time password to your registrant email address.
Most DNS updates take effect within an hour, but could take up to 48 hours to update globally.
What Is Dns And How Does It Work
The Domain Name System is a system used to convert a name into an IP address . These addresses are used by computers to communicate with each other on the internet. Most people find remembering names much easier than numbers, so DNS makes this process easy.
When you visit a website, your computer, phone or tablet will first check your local DNS cache for the corresponding IP address. If your device has not recently looked up this website, then it will need to ask your configured DNS server which will forward the request on to the DNS server responsible for managing the records. This process is known as a request.
Once the IP address is known, it is stored locally for a set period of time known as the Time To Live and used to speed up future requests. Updated records will not be returned until this time has expired, this can often be the cause of why DNS changes do not appear to be working right away.
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Finding The Delegation Path From The Root Dns/name Servers
Tracing is another feature of the dig command that can be used to find the path of name servers between the root server and the required domain. This is done by making iterative queries from each name server record that is returned.
The syntax of the command is as follows:
dig +trace your-domain
Lets try out the same example as above:
dig +trace google.com
This is how the output will look:
How To Look Up Your Sites Name Servers
There are several name server lookup tools online. For this example, weâre using mxtoolbox.com because it allows you to look up name servers and specific DNS records, along with an assortment of other useful website information.
On the website, type in the domain you want to look up and change the tool to the âDNS checkâ mode. Run the search, and youâll get the domains for each name server and their IP addresses in a few seconds.
You can also run a test locally. On Windows, open PowerShell, type in ânslookup,â and press Enter. Follow that with âset q=ns,â press Enter again, then enter the domain you want to check. Hit Enter one last time, and youâll see the name servers for the domain you entered.
For Mac and Linux, open the Terminal and enter âdig domainname.com.â The âdigâ command will provide the name servers along with a slew of other information.
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How To Set The Name Servers For A Domain To Point To A2 Hosting
This article provides information about how to set up a domain’s name server settings to work with A2 Hosting’s servers.
When to set your domain’s name servers
If you already own a domain that you purchased from a different registrar or hosting company, you can change the name server settings for the domain so they point to A2 Hosting’s servers.
Setting your domain’s name servers
When you change a domain’s name server settings, you must specify at a minimum a primary name server and a secondary name server. This ensures that there is at least one alternate server available to provide DNS information about your site if one of the servers is unavailable.
The correct name servers for your domain depend on the type of account you have, and which A2 Hosting server hosts your account. You can view the name server information for your account on the A2 Hosting Customer Portal at . Nameservers and their IP addresses are listed in the Product Details of each product.
For example, shared hosting accounts use ns1.a2hosting.com, ns2.a2hosting.com, ns3.a2hosting.com, and ns4.a2hosting.com as their name servers.
Almost all domain registrars provide a control panel where you can manage a domain’s name server settings. If you are unable to make these changes, contact the domain’s registrar and ask them how to change your domain’s name server or DNS settings.
Changing the name servers for a domain
More Information
How Domain Name Servers Work
The internet and the World Wide Web are wild frontiers that rely on computer languages and codes to find and share data and information. One of the most fundamental instruments of the internet is the Domain Name System, or DNS. DNS is a protocol within the set of standards for how computers exchange data on the internet and on many private networks, known as the TCP/IP protocol suite. Its purpose is vital, as it helps convert easy-to-understand domain names like “howstuffworks.com” into an Internet Protocol address, such as 70.42.251.42 that computers use to identify each other on the network. It is, in short, a system of matching names with numbers.
The DNS concept is like a phone book for the internet. Without this kind of wayfinding system, you’d have to resort to much more complicated and esoteric means to sift through the virtual open plains and dense cities of data strewn across the global internet … and you can bet that it wouldn’t be nearly as much fun, especially since there are now hundreds of millions of domain names .
But, you’re probably more likely to remember “howstuffworks.com” when you want to return later. In addition, a website’s IP address can change over time, and some sites associate multiple IP addresses with a single domain name.
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Where To Go From Here
Okay, at this point, you have boughtyour domain name and pointed it to your website. If you’re not sure what you need to do next, please readHow to Make / Create Your Own Website:The Beginner’s A-Z Guide for the details. The guide takes you through all the steps needed to make your own website,and points to specific tutorials that will show you how to design, test and promote your website.
Good luck!
Copyright © 2009-2020 by Christopher Heng. All rights reserved.Get more free tips and articles like this,on web design, promotion, revenue and scripting, from .
Find Your Web Host Nameservers
First of all, access your hosting control panel to look for the nameservers details. In this tutorial, well be using hPanel.
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The Nslookup Command For Windows Users
If the Windows uses reading this article up to now are disappointed, we have a little treat for you too.
The nslookup command can be used on Windows servers and desktops in a similar manner to the above commands. The syntax is as follows:
nslookup domain-name
Lets try out this command on a Windows Command Line:
nslookup google.com
The output will be as follows:
The nslookup command can be further improved by passing query parameters. It can be done as follows:
nslookup
> q=ns
> google.com
Once the nslookup command is executed, the prompt will accept additional parameters. Enter the type as ns, a, aaaa, mx, or any other name server type. The output will be as follows:
Where Is My Server Address
Depending on the hosting package in your account, you can click the links below to see where to find your server address.
For these hosting packages, you will find your server address in your Welcome email, Customer Portal, and cPanel.
- Welcome Email The Server Name will be provided in your Welcome email when you purchase hosting. This is in the Your Control Panel address followed by the port: 2083.Example: https://gator1234.hostgator.com:2083Server Name: gator1234.hostgator.com
- Customer Portal The Server Name and Shared IP Address are found in your Customer Portal’s Settings tab.
- cPanel The Server Name or Shared IP Address are found in your cPanel’s General Information section.
Note:
Optimized WordPress Accounts
You will find your server address in your Welcome email and Customer Portal.
- Welcome Email The Server Name is provided in your Welcome email.Example: wns000.hostgator.com
- Customer Portal The IP address is found in your Customer Portal since the WordPress hosting package does not have a cPanel.
Note:Note:
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Use Whois Or Icann Lookup
In case you are unable to find your billing records, you can search for your domain registrar online. Simple WHOIS inquiries will tell you what the registrar knows about your domain name. The WHOIS domain database is a listing of all registered domains and is regularly used for various legal purposes.
Typically, public WHOIS records show the domain owners contact email, street address, phone, and fax numbers. Thats unless the owner is using a domain privacy feature such as IDProtect.
Additionally, a WHOIS service will also show the current registrar, DNS servers, and the domain names creation and expiration dates. To find out who your domain registrar is, you can use a WHOIS service such as who.is. Follow the steps below:
- Input your domain name in the bar above your displayed IP address
- On the results page, see the information in the Registrar Info block. You will find your domain registrars name, along with their website.
Alternatively, you can use ICANN Lookup to find your domain name registrar:
- In the search field, enter your domain name
- Click on Lookup
- On the results page, scroll down to Registrar Information:
GDPR WHOIS Specifics
The impact of GDPR is being felt not only by businesses and individuals. GDPR also has influence over security researchers, investigators, and those who offer security products and services that rely on WHOIS data. GDPR impacts everyone who processes EU personal data.
Country-Code Domain WHOIS Specifics
Domain Name Resellers
What To Do If Your Domain Name Expires
In case your domain name expires, you should contact the registrar that provided your domain name registration services for possible renewal options available to you. To determine your current registrar, conduct a WHOIS search by visiting whois.icann.org, as we already explained in the post.
Note: Keep all your important business information permanently recorded somewhere safe. That includes your registrar name, login username, password, and domain management somewhere with your most important business papers. Ensure that all your information is properly added when registering your domain name.
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Option : Use Name Servers Elsewhere
For some advanced users, it may be desirable to use different name servers . This requires more maintenance since it is not automatically updated like HostGator name servers are. If you wish to point your domain to HostGator while using third-party name servers, you will need to manage your domains’ DNS records and point them to HostGator. For more details on how to do this, read the following article:
HostGator Website Transfers
HostGator is committed to making it easy to transfer your site to your new hosting account. We can transfer website files, databases, scripts, and one free domain registration transfer.
What qualifies me for a free transfer?
HostGator provides free transfers for new accounts within 30 days of sign-up, and to newly upgraded accounts. For upgraded accounts it must be an inter-server upgrade to qualify. Please note that downgraded accounts do not qualify for free transfers.
Depending on which type of account you sign up for, we offer differing numbers of free transfers. Please refer to the chart below to see what we include for new packages.
Full cPanel Transfers is the number of cPanel to cPanel transfers that are included.
Max. Manual Transfers is the maximum number of Manual Transfers that are included with your account.
Total Free Transfers is the total number websites that we will move for you.
| Account Type | |
|---|---|
| Unlimited2 | 100 |
Unmetered Web Hosting
What happens if I exceed usage?
What Is A Nameserver Explained In More Detail
When a user enters a URL in their browser, like kinsta.com, there needs to be some way to connect that URL with the underlying web server that powers the website at that domain name.
Think how difficult it would be if you had to enter the actual IP address of a web server every time you wanted to visit a website. You wouldnt be able to remember whether it was 159.89.229.118 or 159.89.229.119 it would be a mess!
Nameservers play an important role in connecting a URL with a server IP address in a much more human-friendly way.
Nameservers look like any other domain name. When you look at a websites nameservers, youll typically see a minimum of two nameservers . Heres an example of what they look like:
- Ns-1076.awsdns-06.org
Only instead of serving up a website, those nameservers help direct traffic.
To illustrate the role that nameservers play in directing traffic on the Internet, lets look at a real example.
Lets say you want to visit the Kinsta homepage. On the surface, this action is simple: you type kinsta.com into your browsers address bar and you see the Kinsta homepage. Easy, right?
But behind-the-scenes, the high-level process actually goes something like this:
In order to visit a website you must first access a Domain Name Server. If theres an issue with In the the decentralized naming systems responsible for turning hostnames into IP addresses, you might experience a message such as DNS server not responding.
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