What is the primary purpose of the nslookup command?

The primary purpose of the nslookup command is to resolve DNS names to IP addresses. This command allows users to query Domain Name System (DNS) servers for information regarding a domain name, including its associated IP address. When a user inputs a URL or a domain name, the nslookup command sends a query to the DNS server, which then responds with the necessary IP address.

This functionality is essential for network troubleshooting, as it enables administrators to verify if a domain name correctly maps to an IP address, ensuring that network resources can be reached. The ability to perform DNS lookups is crucial in various scenarios, such as debugging connectivity issues or confirming that DNS records are set up properly for a domain.

Understanding how to use nslookup and interpret its results helps in managing networks and ensuring proper communication between systems on the internet or within a local network.