## Name

rndc-confgen — rndc key generation tool

## Synopsis

`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