rndc-confgen - rndc key generation tool
rndc-confgen [-a] [-A algorithm] [-b
keysize] [-c keyfile] [-h] [-k keyname] [-p
port] [-s address] [-t chrootdir] [-u user]
rndc-confgen generates configuration files for rndc
<#std-iscman-rndc>. It can be used as a convenient alternative to
writing the rndc.conf <#std-iscman-rndc.conf> file and the
corresponding controls and key statements in named.conf
<#std-iscman-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 <#std-iscman-rndc.conf> file and a controls
statement altogether.
- -a
- This option sets automatic rndc <#std-iscman-rndc>
configuration, which creates a file //etc/rndc.key that is read by
both rndc <#std-iscman-rndc> and named
<#std-iscman-named> on startup. The rndc.key file defines a
default command channel and authentication key allowing rndc
<#std-iscman-rndc> to communicate with named
<#std-iscman-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 <#std-iscman-rndc.conf> and named.conf
<#std-iscman-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
<#std-iscman-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
<#std-iscman-named> listens for connections from rndc
<#std-iscman-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
<#std-iscman-named> listens for command-channel connections from
rndc <#std-iscman-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 <#std-iscman-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 <#std-iscman-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.
To allow rndc <#std-iscman-rndc> to be used with no
manual configuration, run:
rndc-confgen -a
To print a sample rndc.conf <#std-iscman-rndc.conf>
file and the corresponding controls and key statements to be
manually inserted into named.conf <#std-iscman-named.conf>,
run:
rndc-confgen
rndc(8) <#std-iscman-rndc>, rndc.conf(5)
<#std-iscman-rndc.conf>, named(8) <#std-iscman-named>,
BIND 9 Administrator Reference Manual.
Internet Systems Consortium
2026, Internet Systems Consortium