named.conf File Format for TCP/IP- BIND Version 9.18

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Purpose

Defines the configuration and behavior of the named daemon.

Description

The /etc/named.conf file is the default configuration file for the named daemon. If the named daemon is started without specifying an alternative file, the named daemon reads this file for information on how to set up the local name server.

The format of the named.conf file is different depending on which version of the named server is configured.
Note: The named daemon reads the configuration file only when the named daemon starts, or when the named daemon receives an SRC refresh command or a SIGHUP signal.
The data in the named.conf file specifies the following information:
  • General configuration characteristics for the name server.
  • Defines each zone for which the name server is responsible (its zones of authority).
  • Provides further config information per zone, possibly including the source DOMAIN database file for the zone.

Any database files that are referenced in the named.conf file must be in the Standard Resource Record Format. These data files can have any name and any directory path. However, for convenience in maintaining the named database, they are given names in the following form: /etc/named.extension. The general format of named data files is described in DOMAIN Data File, DOMAIN Reverse Data File, DOMAIN Cache File, and DOMAIN Local File.

Statements are enclosed in braces and terminated with a semi-colon. Clauses in the statements are also terminated by using semi-colon. The following comment styles are supported:
  • C style: /* */
  • C++ style: // to end of line
  • Unix style: # to end of line

Format

For more information about the format and configuration of the named.conf file, see the Configuration File (named.conf) topic.