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Article:
  A DNS Primer
Subject:   dig works, nslookup doesn't
Date:   2003-05-29 01:05:50
From:   ausmike
Thought I'd follow along on my own machine, and got the following error message:


Lookup has started ...


*** Can't find server name for address 192.168.0.1: Non-existent host/domain
*** Default servers are not available


This is of course the IP address for my router.


When I check the "Use 'dig' in place of 'nslookup'" option it all goes through as expected.


Is this expected behavior, or is there something about my home network which is poorly configured? (I've had problems connecting to this computer from others on the network, so I wouldn't be surprised if it were the latter).
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Showing messages 1 through 12 of 12.

  • dig works, nslookup doesn't
    2003-05-30 04:25:04  danbenjamin [Reply | View]

    Without knowing exactly what you are doing with your network config, I can take a guess and say that your router needs to re-broadcast the DNS server information it's being assigned when it gets its DHCP info from your ISP, and pass this down to clients (aka your Mac) when it assigns them their NAT addresses.

    In other words, there should be a configuration option in the router's setup which should allow you to have it assign DNS addresses to client Macs and PCs.

    An even better way to remedy this would be to enter a few DNS servers manually into the TCP/IP tab of the Network panel in System Preferences.

    Try using 24.95.227.34 and 24.95.227.35.

    Good luck.

    • dig works, nslookup doesn't
      2003-06-03 03:34:34  ausmike [Reply | View]

      Thanks for the suggestions, Dan.

      Had a look at my router's setup and couldn't see any options to have it assign DNS addresses to clients (Netgear RP114 Cable/DSL router). Had a quick bash at assigning DNS servers manually like you suggested, but naturally my internet connection promptly died, so I did what I normally do in these situations: showed no fear, backed out slowly and ... ran like hell to my saved prior configuration!

      I know what all these acronyms stand for (I've even done courses with networking components), and have been using computers fairly proficiently since my mac plus lo those many years ago, but configuring a network is still so much voodoo to me. (I can't even successfully share a usb printer between the desktop and the portable ... even with Rendezvous!) Enjoyed the article, though. Maybe one day ...

      and ps. Just wanted to tell you how glad I was that Zeldman threw his weight around and convinced you to keep Hivelogic going - it broke my heart to see it go down!

      Cheers,
      Mike
  • dig works, nslookup doesn't
    2003-05-29 19:38:51  anonymous2 [Reply | View]

    I have the same network setup and also got the same message. to me it doesn't seem right that nslookup won't work behind a router so maybe it is a network configuration issue.
    • dig works, nslookup doesn't
      2004-04-08 05:45:25  vivat [Reply | View]

      I have the same network setup and also got the same message to me it doesn't seem right that nslookup won't work behind a router so maybe
      it is a network configuration issue.
      Your site is very interesting. Thank you very much.
      • dig works, nslookup doesn't
        2004-04-13 08:32:56  Kerton [Reply | View]

        I have the same network setup and also got the same message to me it doesn't
        seem right that nslookup
        won't work behind a router so maybe


        it is a network configuration issue.


        Your site is very interesting.
        Thank you very much.
    • dig works, nslookup doesn't
      2003-11-17 17:06:21  anonymous2 [Reply | View]

      I have the same network setup and also got the same message<font color="#CCCCCC">.</font>
      to me it doesn't seem right that nslookup won't work behind a router so maybe
      it is a network configuration issue.
    • dig works, nslookup doesn't
      2003-06-18 03:34:33  anonymous2 [Reply | View]

      You need to add your ISPs DNS server IP address in the Macs Network Sys Pref. Your router is given a DNS IP address dynamically by your ISP whe it connects, which is why websurfing outside of your network works, but OSX doesn't know about this. Adding the IP address in the Macs Network Sys Pref will fix things.
      • dig works, nslookup doesn't
        2004-04-14 13:35:21  Kerton [Reply | View]

        You need to add /.&*%
      • dig works, nslookup doesn't
        2004-01-09 12:10:53  anonymous2 [Reply | View]

        Also is it possible to use the free DNS
        services to provide the reliability of your domains.
        http://maturesexy.taboo-porn.com
        • dig works, nslookup doesn't
          2004-01-15 11:52:59  anonymous2 [Reply | View]

          Another free dns service is located here .