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 <#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.

# OPTIONS

-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.

# EXAMPLES

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

# SEE ALSO

rndc(8) <#std-iscman-rndc>, rndc.conf(5) <#std-iscman-rndc.conf>, named(8) <#std-iscman-named>, BIND 9 Administrator Reference Manual.

# Author

Internet Systems Consortium

# Copyright

2026, Internet Systems Consortium

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