Resolve hostnames with t-sql

Question

How can i resolve a hostname in t-sql? a 2000 compatible method is preferred. Although something that works on 2005/2008 would also be helpful.

eg. If i have the

Answer 1

Well, I suppose you could use xp_cmdshell to execute nslookup and parse the results. Seems like a really awkward thing for SQL Server to be doing, though.

exec master..xp_cmdshell 'nslookup intel.com'

.. then you'll probably want to stuff that in a temp table and walk through the results.

You could also, if you can get access to SQL Server 2005 or 2008, build a stored procedure or function in .NET and do a simple call to Dns.GetHostAddresses().

Answer 2

SQL Server may block access to procedure 'sys.xp_cmdshell' as part of the security configuration. As a system administrator you can enable the use of 'xp_cmdshell' as follows:

-- Allow advanced options.
EXEC sp_configure 'show advanced options', 1;
GO
-- Update the currently configured value for advanced options.
RECONFIGURE;
GO
-- Then, enable the feature.
EXEC sp_configure 'xp_cmdshell', 1;
GO
-- Update the currently configured value for this feature.
RECONFIGURE;
GO
-- Then you can go ahead and run ...
exec master..xp_cmdshell 'nslookup microsoft.com'
GO