Topic: How to flush DNS cache in Linux / Windows / Mac

[Burke Knight]

For those who do not know how, this explains how to flush your DNS cache, which can be helpful when moving sites.
I figured I'd post it here, and if we find it useful for a support issue, we can put a link to it.

How to flush DNS cache in Linux / Windows / Mac
Flush dns to get a new name resolution. Also flush dns cache when you can’t access a newly registered domain name. You can simply flush your dns cache anytime to get new entry. So, Flush your dns cache now.

To flush DNS cache in Microsoft Windows (Win XP, Win ME, Win 2000, Win 98):

    - Start -> Run -> type cmd
    - in command prompt, type ipconfig /flushdns
    - Done! You Window DNS cache has just been flush.

How to clear DNS cache in Vista:

1. Click the Microsoft Vista Start logo in the bottom left corner of the screen
2. Click All Programs
3. Click Accessories
4. RIGHT-click on Command Prompt
5. Select Run As Administrator
6. In the command window type the following and then hit enter: ipconfig /flushdns
7. You will see the following confirmation:

Windows IP Configuration
Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.


To flush the DNS cache in Linux, restart the nscd daemon:


    - To restart the nscd daemon, type /etc/rc.d/init.d/nscd restart in your terminal
    - Once you run the command your linux DNS cache will flush.

    On newer versions of Linux you may need to use:

    /etc/init.d/nscd restart

To flush the DNS cache in Mac OS X:

    - type lookupd -flushcache in your terminal to flush the DNS resolver cache.
    ex: bash-2.05a$ lookupd -flushcache
    - Once you run the command your DNS cache (in Mac OS X) will flush.

    Newer versions of MacOS X should use the following command:

    type dscacheutil -flushcache

I also posted this on the SMF site.