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/bind/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