How to Perform a Dig

Dig is a network tool through which you can query DNS name servers. Our technical support personnel can use this information to diagnose issues resolving DNS records.

There are online tools (e.g., Kloth.net) through which you can perform a dig.

A dig is typically performed to one or more of the following hostnames:

Hostname Platform Description

EdgeCNAMEHostnameReplace this term with the hostname associated with the desired edge CNAME configuration.

All Platforms

This tests whether the DNS record corresponding to the edge CNAME's hostname points to our CDN service.

CustomerOriginHostnameReplace this term with the hostname associated with your origin server.

All Platforms

This tests whether the DNS record corresponding to your customer origin's hostname has been fully propagated.

To perform a dig (Windows)

The Dig tool does not come with Windows. It must be downloaded from ISC's site.

  1. Open the command prompt.
    1. Press the Windows logo key and R (+ R) to open the Run dialog box.
    2. In the Open option, type:
      cmd
    3. Click OK.
  2. If Bind was not installed on the current computer, then use the command prompt to navigate to the folder where the Dig tool can be found.
  3. Type:
  4. Press ENTER.
  5. Copy the results of the dig.
    1. Once the dig has completed, right-click and then select Mark.
    2. Select the dig results.
    3. Press ENTER.
  6. Paste the results into an email message or any text editor.

To install the Dig tool (Windows)

  1. Download the "Current-Stable" version of Bind from ISC's site (http://www.isc.org/downloads/).
    • Make sure to select the zip version of this software.
  2. Extract the entire contents of the zip file to the desired folder.
  3. Optional. Install Bind by running "BINDInstall.exe."
    • The Bind installer prompts for a user account. Please specify a user account with restricted privileges.
    • Use the Tools Only option to only install dig, host, nslookup and nsupdate tools.

If you choose not to run the Bind installer, then the Dig tool will only be accessible from the directory to which it was extracted (i.e., step 2).