rndc-confgen (8)

rndc-confgen [-a] [-b keysize] [-c keyfile] [-h] [-k keyname] [-p port] [-r randomfile] [-s address] [-t chrootdir] [-u user]

rndc-confgen generates configuration files for rndc. It can be used as a convenient alternative to writing the rndc.conf file and the corresponding controls and key statements in named.conf by hand. Alternatively, it can be run with the -a option to set up a rndc.key file and avoid the need for a rndc.conf file and a controls statement altogether.

-a

Do automatic rndc configuration. This creates a file rndc.key in /etc (or whatever sysconfdir was specified as when BIND was built) that is read by both rndc and named on startup. The rndc.key file defines a default command channel and authentication key allowing rndc to communicate with named on the local host with no further configuration.

Running rndc-confgen -a allows BIND 9 and rndc to be used as drop-in replacements for BIND 8 and ndc, with no changes to the existing BIND 8 named.conf file.

If a more elaborate configuration than that generated by rndc-confgen -a is required, for example if rndc is to be used remotely, you should run rndc-confgen without the -a option and set up a rndc.conf and named.conf as directed.

-b keysize

Specifies the size of the authentication key in bits. Must be between 1 and 512 bits; the default is 128.

-c keyfile

Used with the -a option to specify an alternate location for rndc.key.

-h

Prints a short summary of the options and arguments to rndc-confgen.

-k keyname

Specifies the key name of the rndc authentication key. This must be a valid domain name. The default is rndc-key.

-p port

Specifies the command channel port where named listens for connections from rndc. The default is 953.

-r randomfile

Specifies a source of random data for generating the authorization. If the operating system does not provide a /dev/random or equivalent device, the default source of randomness is keyboard input. randomdev specifies the name of a character device or file containing random data to be used instead of the default. The special value keyboard indicates that keyboard input should be used.

-s address

Specifies the IP address where named listens for command channel connections from rndc. The default is the loopback address 127.0.0.1.

-t chrootdir

Used with the -a option to specify a directory where named will run chrooted. An additional copy of the rndc.key will be written relative to this directory so that it will be found by the chrooted named.

-u user

Used with the -a option to set the owner of the rndc.key file generated. If -t is also specified only the file in the chroot area has its owner changed.

To allow rndc to be used with no manual configuration, run

rndc-confgen -a

To print a sample rndc.conf file and corresponding controls and key statements to be manually inserted into named.conf, run

rndc-confgen

rndc(8), rndc.conf(5), named(8), BIND 9 Administrator Reference Manual.

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