How to Install DiG on Ubuntu

The ‘DiG’ command, short for “Domain Information Groper,” is a versatile tool used for querying DNS (Domain Name System) servers. It is part of the BIND (Berkeley Internet Name Domain) utilities package. Webmasters and system administrators often use dig to troubleshoot DNS-related issues, fetch domain records, and gain insights into how domain names are resolved.

For those who are familiar with web servers, ‘dig’ is an essential tool, especially when working with platforms like Apache, Nginx, and LiteSpeed. Whether you’re on a dedicated server, VPS server, cloud hosting, or even a shared hosting environment, understanding how to use ‘dig’ can be beneficial.

In this tutorial, we will walk you through the process of installing ‘dig’ on an Ubuntu system, step by step.

Let’s get started.

Step 1: Update the Package Repository

Before installing any new software on Ubuntu, it’s a good practice to update the package repository to ensure you’re getting the latest version.

sudo apt update

Step 2: Install the BIND Utilities

The ‘dig’ command is part of the BIND utilities package. To install it, use the following command:

sudo apt install dnsutils

Step 3: Verify the Installation

Once the installation is complete, you can verify that ‘dig’ has been installed correctly by typing:

dig -v

This command should return the version of ‘dig’ that you’ve installed.

for example:

root@geeks:~# dig -v
DiG 9.11.3-1ubuntu1.18-Ubuntu

Step 4: Using ‘dig’

To use ‘dig’, simply type the command followed by the domain you wish to query. For example:

dig example.com

This will return a standard DNS query for the domain “example.com”.

For example:

root@geeks:~# dig example.com
; <<>> DiG 9.11.3-1ubuntu1.18-Ubuntu <<>> example.com
;; global options: +cmd
;; Got answer:
;; ->>HEADER<<- opcode: QUERY, status: NOERROR, id: 29809
;; flags: qr rd ra; QUERY: 1, ANSWER: 1, AUTHORITY: 2, ADDITIONAL: 1

;; OPT PSEUDOSECTION:
; EDNS: version: 0, flags:; udp: 4096
;; QUESTION SECTION:
;example.com.                   IN      A

;; ANSWER SECTION:
example.com.            86400   IN      A       93.184.216.34

;; AUTHORITY SECTION:
example.com.            86400   IN      NS      a.iana-servers.net.
example.com.            86400   IN      NS      b.iana-servers.net.

;; Query time: 419 msec
;; SERVER: 198.18.18.18#53(198.18.18.18)
;; WHEN: Mon Oct 16 09:08:51 UTC 2023
;; MSG SIZE  rcvd: 104

FAQ

1. What is the primary purpose of the 'dig' command?

   'dig' is primarily used for querying DNS servers to fetch domain records and troubleshoot DNS-related issues.

2. Can 'dig' be used on other operating systems besides Ubuntu?

   Yes, 'dig' is available for various operating systems, including other Linux distributions, macOS, and Windows (with additional setup).

3. Is 'dig' the only tool for querying DNS?

   No, there are other tools like 'nslookup' and 'host' that can also be used for DNS queries, but 'dig' offers more advanced features and flexibility.

4. Why is it necessary to update the package repository before installation?

   Updating the package repository ensures that you are installing the latest version of the software and receiving any recent security patches or updates.

5. How can I get more detailed output from a 'dig' command?

   You can use the '+trace' option with 'dig' to get a detailed trace of the DNS resolution process. For example: dig example.com +trace.

Commands Mentioned

• sudo apt update – Updates the package repository to ensure the latest software versions are available.
• sudo apt install dnsutils – Installs the BIND utilities package, which includes 'dig'.
• dig -v – Checks the version of the installed 'dig' command.
• dig example.com – Executes a standard DNS query for the domain "example.com".

Conclusion

The 'dig' command is an invaluable tool for webmasters, system administrators, and anyone who needs to work with DNS. Whether you're troubleshooting a domain issue, verifying DNS records, or simply curious about how domain names are resolved, 'dig' provides a wealth of information. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can easily install 'dig' on your Ubuntu system and start leveraging its capabilities.

Remember, for those managing web servers, understanding tools like 'dig' can be crucial for efficient server management and troubleshooting.