Additional Resources

Installed Documentation

BIND features a full range of installed documentation covering many different topics, each placed in its own subject directory. For each item below, replace <version-number> with the version of bind installed on the system:

/usr/share/doc/bind-<version-number>/arm/

This directory contains the BIND 9 Administrator Reference Manual in HTML and SGML formats, which details BIND resource requirements, how to configure different types of nameservers, how to perform load balancing, and other advanced topics. For most new users of BIND, this is the best place to start.

/usr/share/doc/bind-<version-number>/draft/

This directory contains assorted technical documents that review issues related to DNS service and propose some methods to address them.

/usr/share/doc/bind-<version-number>/misc/

This directory contains documents designed to address specific advanced issues. Users of BIND version 8 should consult the migration document for specific changes they must make when moving to BIND 9. The options file lists all of the options implemented in BIND 9 that are used in /etc/named.conf.

/usr/share/doc/bind-<version-number>/rfc/

This directory provides every RFC document related to BIND.

There are also a number of man pages for the various applications and configuration files involved with BIND. The following lists some of the more important man pages.

Server Applications

• man named - Explores assorted arguments that can be used to control the BIND nameserver daemon.

• man lwresd - Describes the purpose of and options available for the lightweight resolver daemon.

Configuration Files

• man named.conf - A comprehensive list of options available within the named configuration file.

• man rndc.conf - A comprehensive list of options available within the rndc configuration file.

Useful Websites

• http://www.isc.org/index.pl?/sw/bind/ - The home page of the BIND project containing information about current releases as well as a PDF version of the BIND 9 Administrator Reference Manual.

• http://www.redhat.com/mirrors/LDP/HOWTO/DNS-HOWTO.html - Covers the use of BIND as a resolving, caching nameserver and the configuration of various zone files necessary to serve as the primary nameserver for a domain.

Related Books

• DNS and BIND by Paul Albitz and Cricket Liu; O'Reilly & Associates - A popular reference that explains both common and esoteric BIND configuration options, as well as providing strategies for securing a DNS server.

• The Concise Guide to DNS and BIND by Nicolai Langfeldt; Que - Looks at the connection between multiple network services and BIND, with an emphasis on task-oriented, technical topics.