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The host command performs name resolution. Host uses domain name service to look up names and reverse resolve numeric addresses. HOST is available on Red Hat and BSD systems.

USAGE on BSD SYSTEMS

host: usage error (missing host argument)
Usage: host [-adlrwv] [-t querytype] [-c class] host [server]
        -a is equivalent to '-v -t *'
        -c class to look for non-Internet data
        -d to turn on debugging output
        -l to turn on 'list mode'
        -r to disable recursive processing
        -s recursively chase signature found in answers
        -t querytype to look for a specific type of information
        -v for verbose output
        -w to wait forever until reply

 

USAGE on Red Hat SYSTEMS

Usage: host [-aCdlrTwv] [-c class] [-n] [-N ndots] [-t type] [-W time]
            [-R number] hostname [server]
       -a is equivalent to -v -t *
       -c specifies query class for non-IN data
       -C compares SOA records on authoritative nameservers
       -d is equivalent to -v
       -l lists all hosts in a domain, using AXFR
       -n Use the nibble form of IPv6 reverse lookup
       -N changes the number of dots allowed before root lookup is done
       -r disables recursive processing
       -R specifies number of retries for UDP packets
       -t specifies the query type
       -T enables TCP/IP mode
       -v enables verbose output
       -w specifies to wait forever for a reply
       -W specifies how long to wait for a reply