Use nslookup to get DNS records for SMTP domain - Exchange (2024)

Original KB number: 203204

Summary

When you troubleshoot SMTP problems, you may want to obtain the Domain Name System (DNS) records for the SMTP domain in question. You can use the nslookup.exe utility to collect this information.

Requirements

DNS must be configured properly on the computer running the nslookup.exe utility. If DNS isn't configured, an error message is displayed when the nslookup.exe utility starts.

Steps to use nslookup.exe

1. Open a command prompt.

   See Also

   10 most used Nslookup commands

2. Type nslookup.

3. Type set q=mx.

   This sets a filter to only collect MX records and related information.

4. Type <domain_name>.com.

   where <domain_name> is the domain that you want to obtain the DNS records for, for example, microsoft.com or msn.com. An output like the following is displayed:

   Server: [157.178.72.30]Address: 157.178.72.30microsoft.com MX preference = 10, mail exchanger = mail1.microsoft.commicrosoft.com MX preference = 10, mail exchanger = mail2.microsoft.commicrosoft.com MX preference = 10, mail exchanger = mail3.microsoft.commicrosoft.com MX preference = 10, mail exchanger = mail4.microsoft.commicrosoft.com MX preference = 10, mail exchanger = mail5.microsoft.commail1.microsoft.com internet address = 131.107.3.125mail2.microsoft.com internet address = 131.107.3.124mail3.microsoft.com internet address = 131.107.3.123mail4.microsoft.com internet address = 131.107.3.122mail5.microsoft.com internet address = 131.107.3.121