rndc-confgen(8) BIND 9 rndc-confgen(8)
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 <#std-iscman-rndc>.
It can be used as a convenient alternative to writing the rndc.conf <#
std-iscman-rndc.conf> file and the corresponding controls and key
statements in named.conf <#std-iscman-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 <#std-iscman-rndc.conf> file
and a controls statement altogether.
OPTIONS
-a This option sets automatic rndc <#std-iscman-rndc>
configuration, which creates a file /opt/local/etc/rndc.key that
is read by both rndc <#std-iscman-rndc> and named <#std-iscman-
named> on startup. The rndc.key file defines a default command
channel and authentication key allowing rndc <#std-iscman-rndc>
to communicate with named <#std-iscman-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 <#std-iscman-rndc.conf> and named.conf <#std-iscman-
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 <#std-iscman-
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 <#
std-iscman-named> listens for connections from rndc <#std-
iscman-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 <#std-iscman-
named> listens for command-channel connections from rndc <#std-
iscman-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 <#std-iscman-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 <#std-iscman-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 <#std-iscman-rndc> to be used with no manual
configuration, run:
rndc-confgen -a
To print a sample rndc.conf <#std-iscman-rndc.conf> file and the
corresponding controls and key statements to be manually inserted into
named.conf <#std-iscman-named.conf>, run:
rndc-confgen
SEE ALSO
rndc(8) <#std-iscman-rndc>, rndc.conf(5) <#std-iscman-rndc.conf>,
named(8) <#std-iscman-named>, BIND 9 Administrator Reference Manual.
Author
Internet Systems Consortium
Copyright
2026, Internet Systems Consortium
9.20.21 2026-03-13 rndc-confgen(8)
bind 9.20.21 - Generated Fri Apr 3 15:01:04 CDT 2026