# Cheatsheet: dig

## Basic Domain Name Lookup

Example Usage:
`dig example.com`

What it does:
This operation performs a basic DNS lookup for the specified domain name, retrieving its IP address and associated records.

Command-line Arguments Explained:
- `example.com`: The domain name to be looked up.

## Retrieve NS Records

Example Usage:
`dig +nsexample.com`

What it does:
This operation retrieves the Name Server (NS) records for the specified domain name, which are used to map the domain to its DNS servers.

Command-line Arguments Explained:
- `+ns`: Option to retrieve NS records
- `example.com`: The domain name for which to retrieve NS records.

## Retrieve MX Records

Example Usage:
`dig +mx example.com`

What it does:
This operation retrieves the Mail Exchanger (MX) records for the specified domain name, which are used to route email to the domain's mail servers.

Command-line Arguments Explained:
- `+mx`: Option to retrieve MX records
- `example.com`: The domain name for which to retrieve MX records.

## Retrieve SOA Records

Example Usage:
`dig +soa example.com`

What it does:
This operation retrieves the Start of Authority (SOA) records for the specified domain name, which contain information about the domain's DNS zone.

Command-line Arguments Explained:
- `+soa`: Option to retrieve SOA records
- `example.com`: The domain name for which to retrieve SOA records.

## Perform a Reverse DNS Lookup

Example Usage:
`dig -x 8.8.8.8`

What it does:
This operation performs a reverse DNS lookup for the specified IP address, retrieving the domain name associated with it.

Command-line Arguments Explained:
- `-x`: Option to perform a reverse DNS lookup
- `8.8.8.8`: The IP address to be looked up.

## Retrieve AAAA Records

Example Usage:
`dig +aaaa example.com`

What it does:
This operation retrieves the IPv6 AA (Address Assignment) records for the specified domain name, which are used to map the domain to its IPv6 address.

Command-line Arguments Explained:
- `+aaaa`: Option to retrieve AAAA records
- `example.com`: The domain name for which to retrieve AAAA records.

## Perform a Dig Axfr

Example Usage:
`dig +axfr example.com`

What it does:
This operation performs a DNS zone transfer (AXFR) for the specified domain name, retrieving all records associated with the domain.

Command-line Arguments Explained:
- `+axfr`: Option to perform a DNS zone transfer
- `example.com`: The domain name for which to perform the zone transfer.

## Set Query Type

Example Usage:
`dig +inq example.com`

What it does:
This operation sets the query type to IN (Internet) and Q (Query) for the specified domain name, retrieving the IN and Q records.

Command-line Arguments Explained:
- `+inq`: Option to set the query type to IN and Q
- `example.com`: The domain name for which to set the query type.

## Use a Specific DNS Server

Example Usage:
`dig +server 8.8.8.8 example.com`

What it does:
This operation uses the specified DNS server to perform a lookup for the domain name.

Command-line Arguments Explained:
- `+server`: Option to specify the DNS server
- `8.8.8.8`: The IP address of the DNS server to use
- `example.com`: The domain name to be looked up.

## Set Timeout

Example Usage:
`dig +timeout 10 example.com`

What it does:
This operation sets the timeout for the DNS lookup to the specified number of seconds.

Command-line Arguments Explained:
- `+timeout`: Option to set the timeout
- `10`: The number of seconds to wait for a response
- `example.com`: The domain name to be looked up.

## Use a Specific Port

Example Usage:
`dig +port 53 example.com`

What it does:
This operation uses the specified port to perform a lookup for the domain name.

Command-line Arguments Explained:
- `+port`: Option to specify the port
- `53`: The port number to use
- `example.com`: The domain name to be looked up.