What is the primary function of nslookup and dig tools?

The primary function of nslookup and dig tools is to retrieve DNS records of a specified hostname. These tools are specialized for querying Domain Name System (DNS) servers to obtain information about domain names, IP addresses, and other DNS-related data.

When a user inputs a hostname into nslookup or dig, the tool communicates with DNS servers to resolve the hostname to its corresponding IP address, or conversely, to obtain information related to that hostname, such as its mail exchange (MX) records or name server (NS) records. This capability is crucial for network troubleshooting, verifying DNS configurations, and understanding how domain names map to network resources.

By using these tools, network administrators and security professionals can ensure that DNS records are correctly configured and functioning as intended, which is essential for maintaining the reliability and security of internet services.