1 Host is a very powerful DNS query and testing command-line tool. Major
2 differences with the ancient version of the program with the same name
3 that's included in the BIND-4 and BIND-8 distributions:
5 - Major overhaul of the entire code including rigid error checking,
6 and verbose error messages. Several sections have been rewritten
7 from scratch. Documentation has been added. Syntax extended.
8 - It is now possible to do recursive listings into delegated zones.
9 - Maintain resource record statistics and host count during zone listings.
10 - Check for various extraneous conditions during zone listings.
11 - Check for illegal domain names containing invalid characters.
12 - Verify that certain domain names represent canonical host names.
13 - Perform ttl consistency checking during zone listings.
14 - Exploit multiple server addresses if available.
15 - Option to exploit only primary server for zone transfers.
16 - Option to exclude info from names that do not reside in a zone.
17 - Implement timeout handling during connect and read.
18 - Write resource record output to optional log file.
19 - Special MB tracing by recursively expanding MR and MG records.
20 - Special mode to check SOA records at each nameserver for a zone.
21 - Special mode to check reverse mappings of host addresses.
22 - Configurable default options in HOST_DEFAULTS environment variable.
23 - Implement new resource record types from RFCs 1183, 1348, 1664, 1712,
24 1876 and 1886. Basic experimental NSAP support as defined in RFC 1637.