Host Command in Linux

Introduction

The host command in Linux allows the user to lookup DNS (Domain Name System). It can be understood simply that you can search for the IP address of a specific domain name or you can rely on an IP address to find a specific domain name.

This is a useful command because you can rely on options to find more specific details of the domain name. Now we’re gonna guide you about using the host command in Linux. Hope you understand.

The syntax of the host command

The syntax:

host [-aCdlriTWV] [-c class] [-N ndots] [-t type] [-W time]

[-R number] [-m flag] hostname [server]

Options

1. Without option

$ host

Output:

2. host domain_name: print out the IP address of the domain

For example, I check the IP of google.com:

$ host google.com

Output:

3. host ip: print out domain of the IP address

For example:

$ host 127.0.0.1

Output:

4. -a: specify the query type

For example:

$ host -a google.com

Output:

Conclusion

And we guided you on how to use the host command in Linux.

Thank you for checking it out!

Karim Buzdar

Karim Buzdar holds a degree in telecommunication engineering and holds several sysadmin certifications including CCNA RS, SCP, and ACE. As an IT engineer and technical author, he writes for various websites.