Aug 27, 2001
rndc-confgen 8 BIND9
rndc-confgen rndc key generation tool
2004 2005 2007 2009 Internet Systems Consortium, Inc. ("ISC")
2001 2003 Internet Software Consortium.
`rndc-confgen` `-a` `-b keysize` `-c keyfile` `-h` `-k keyname` `-p port` `-r randomfile` `-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

  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.

## EXAMPLES

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`

## SEE ALSO

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

## AUTHOR

Internet Systems Consortium