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 /opt/local/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
2026, Internet Systems Consortium