View the DNS Client Resolver Cache

Applies To: Windows Server 2008

You can use the ipconfig /displaydns command to view the contents of the Domain Name System (DNS) client resolver cache. The cache includes entries that are preloaded from the local Hosts file, as well as any recently obtained resource records for name queries that were resolved by the system. The DNS Client service uses this information to quickly resolve frequently queried names before it queries its configured DNS servers.

When you use the ipconfig /displaydns command to display current resolver cache contents, the resultant output generally includes the local host and loopback IP address (127.0.0.1) mappings. This is because these mappings typically exist in the default (unmodified) contents of the local Hosts file.

You do not need administrative credentials to perform this procedure. Therefore, as a security best practice, consider performing this task as a user without administrative credentials.

To view a DNS client resolver cache

  • Open a command prompt. To open an elevated Command Prompt window, click Start, point to All Programs, click Accessories, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator.

    At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

    ipconfig /displaydns
    

Additional references