[master] doc clarification about dig & resolv.conf

3b9d9ad5 · Evan Hunt · 48019314 · 3b9d9ad5
Commit 3b9d9ad5 authored Jan 10, 2013 by Evan Hunt
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Showing with 22 additions and 16 deletions

bin/dig/dig.docbook bin/dig/dig.docbook +22 -16

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--- a/bin/dig/dig.docbook
+++ b/bin/dig/dig.docbook
@@ -117,9 +117,10 @@

    <para>
      Unless it is told to query a specific name server,
-      <command>dig</command> will try each of the servers listed
-      in
-      <filename>/etc/resolv.conf</filename>.
+      <command>dig</command> will try each of the servers listed in
+      <filename>/etc/resolv.conf</filename>. If no usable server addreses
+      are found, <command>dig</command> will send the query to the local
+      host.
    </para>

    <para>
@@ -158,20 +159,25 @@
          <term><constant>server</constant></term>
          <listitem>
            <para>
-              is the name or IP address of the name server to query.  This can
-              be an IPv4
-              address in dotted-decimal notation or an IPv6
+              is the name or IP address of the name server to query.  This
+              can be an IPv4 address in dotted-decimal notation or an IPv6
              address in colon-delimited notation.  When the supplied
-              <parameter>server</parameter> argument is a
-              hostname,
-              <command>dig</command> resolves that name before
-              querying that name
-              server.  If no <parameter>server</parameter>
-              argument is provided,
-              <command>dig</command> consults <filename>/etc/resolv.conf</filename>
-              and queries the name servers listed there.  The reply from the
-              name
-              server that responds is displayed.
+              <parameter>server</parameter> argument is a hostname,
+              <command>dig</command> resolves that name before querying
+              that name server.
+            </para>
+            <para>
+              If no <parameter>server</parameter> argument is
+              provided, <command>dig</command> consults
+              <filename>/etc/resolv.conf</filename>; if an
+              address is found there, it queries the name server at
+              that address. If either of the <option>-4</option> or
+              <option>-6</option> options are in use, then
+              only addresses for the corresponding transport
+              will be tried.  If no usable addresses are found,
+              <command>dig</command> will send the query to the
+              local host.  The reply from the name server that
+              responds is displayed.
            </para>
          </listitem>
        </varlistentry>