What Can You Do with the resolvectl Command in Systemd?

Understanding the resolvectl Command in Systemd

The resolvectl command is a powerful tool for resolving domain names, IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, DNS resource records, and services. It also allows you to introspect and manage the DNS resolver, making it an essential utility for network administration.

Key Features of resolvectl

Here’s a look at some of the main functionalities of resolvectl:

  1. Show DNS Settings: To display current DNS settings, simply run:

    resolvectl status

    This command provides a comprehensive overview of your DNS configuration and status.

  2. Resolve Domain Addresses: You can resolve the IPv4 and IPv6 addresses for one or more domains using:

    resolvectl query domain1 domain2 ...

    This is particularly useful for checking the connectivity of specific domains.

  3. Retrieve Domain from IP Address: If you have an IP address and need to find its associated domain, use:

    resolvectl query ip_address

    This reverse lookup can help in various diagnostic scenarios.

  4. Flush DNS Cache: To clear local DNS caches, which can be necessary if you’re troubleshooting DNS issues or want to ensure you’re getting the latest responses, execute:

    resolvectl flush-caches

  5. Display DNS Statistics: To view statistics such as transactions, cache size, and DNSSEC verdicts, run:

    resolvectl statistics

    Monitoring DNS performance can provide insights into efficiency and reliability.

  6. Retrieve MX Records: To fetch Mail Exchange (MX) records for a domain, which are essential for email routing, use:

    resolvectl --legend=no --type=MX query domain

  7. Resolve SRV Records: For service records, like finding the XMPP server for Gmail, you can use:

    resolvectl service _service._protocol name

  8. Retrieve TLS Keys: To obtain a TLS key for a domain, which is useful for security assurance:

    resolvectl tlsa tcp domain:443

Conclusion

The resolvectl command is a versatile tool designed to enhance your networking experience. Whether you are a system administrator resolving domain names or a developer managing application DNS queries, resolvectl offers a comprehensive suite of functionalities to streamline your tasks.

For more in-depth information, visit the official documentation. By leveraging resolvectl, you can ensure that your DNS management is efficient and effective.

See Also