RNDC-CONFGEN(8) BIND 9 RNDC-CONFGEN(8)

NAME

rndc-confgen - rndc key generation tool

SYNOPSIS

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

DESCRIPTION

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.

OPTIONS

-a This option sets automatic rndc configuration, which creates a
file /etc/rndc.key 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.

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

-A algorithm
This option specifies the algorithm to use for the TSIG key.
Available choices are: hmac-md5, hmac-sha1, hmac-sha224,
hmac-sha256, hmac-sha384, and hmac-sha512. The default is
hmac-sha256.

-b keysize
This option specifies the size of the authentication key in
bits. The size must be between 1 and 512 bits; the default is
the hash size.

-c keyfile
This option is used with the -a option to specify an alternate
location for rndc.key.

-h This option prints a short summary of the options and
arguments to rndc-confgen.

-k keyname
This option specifies the key name of the rndc authentication
key. This must be a valid domain name. The default is
rndc-key.

-p port
This option specifies the command channel port where named
listens for connections from rndc. The default is 953.

-q This option prevets printing the written path in automatic
configuration mode.

-s address
This option 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
This option is used with the -a option to specify a directory
where named runs chrooted. An additional copy of the rndc.key
is written relative to this directory, so that it is found by
the chrooted named.

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

EXAMPLES

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

rndc-confgen -a

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

rndc-confgen

SEE ALSO

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

AUTHOR

Internet Systems Consortium

COPYRIGHT

2025, Internet Systems Consortium

9.18.34 2025-02-11 RNDC-CONFGEN(8)