How to Check or Test Reverse DNS on Linux and Windows

Reverse DNS (rDNS), also known as Reverse Domain Name System or PTR (Pointer) records, is a process that resolves an IP address back to its corresponding domain name. It plays a crucial role in email deliverability and network security, as it helps to verify that an IP address is genuinely associated with the domain it claims to be. This can help reduce spam and ensure the authenticity of emails coming from a particular domain.

In this guide, we will explain how to check or test reverse DNS on both Linux and Windows operating systems. By following these steps, you will be able to verify the reverse DNS records for a given IP address, ensuring that your domain’s email deliverability and network security are in good shape. The desired outcome is to have a clear understanding of how to perform reverse DNS lookups and interpret the results.

Linux – Using the ‘dig’ Command

Open the terminal on your Linux machine.
Type the following command and replace “IP_ADDRESS” with the actual IP address you want to check:

dig -x IP_ADDRESS +short

Press Enter, and the terminal will display the domain name associated with the IP address, if the PTR record is correctly configured.

dig 184.173.214.97
97.214.173.184.in-addr.arpa domain name pointer 184.173.214.97-static.reverse.softlayer.com.

Windows – Using the ‘nslookup’ Command

Open the Command Prompt on your Windows machine.
Type the following command and replace “IP_ADDRESS” with the actual IP address you want to check:

nslookup IP_ADDRESS

Press Enter, and the Command Prompt will display the domain name associated with the IP address, if the PTR record is correctly configured.

C:\>nslookup 184.173.214.97
Server:  google-public-dns-a.google.com
Address:  8.8.8.8

Name:    184.173.214.97-static.reverse.softlayer.com
Address:  184.173.214.97

Commands Mentioned:

• dig – A DNS lookup utility that retrieves DNS information, such as A (Address) records, MX (Mail Exchange) records, and PTR records.
• nslookup – A command-line tool for querying DNS servers to obtain domain name or IP address mappings and other DNS records.

Conclusion

By following this guide, you have successfully tested the reverse DNS records for a given IP address on both Linux and Windows operating systems. Performing reverse DNS lookups is an essential task for network administrators and web hosting specialists, as it allows them to verify the authenticity of an IP address and its associated domain name.

With a properly configured reverse DNS, you can improve your domain’s email deliverability, reduce the likelihood of your emails being marked as spam, and maintain a secure and trusted network environment. Furthermore, knowing how to use the ‘dig’ and ‘nslookup’ commands will allow you to troubleshoot DNS-related issues more effectively.

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