PDNS_RECURSOR(1) PowerDNS Recursor PDNS_RECURSOR(1)
NAME
pdns_recursor - The PowerDNS Recursor binary
SYNOPSIS
pdns_recursor [OPTION]...
DESCRIPTION
pdns_recursor is a high performance, simple and secure recursing
nameserver. It currently powers hundreds of millions internet
connections.
The recursor is configured via a configuration file, but each item in
that file can be overridden on the command line.
This manpage lists the core set of features needed to get the PowerDNS
Recursor working, for full and up to date details head to
https://doc.powerdns.com/.
EXAMPLES
To listen on 192.0.2.53 and allow the 192.0.2.0/24 subnet to recurse,
and run as in the background, execute:
# pdns_recursor --local-address=192.0.2.53 --allow-from=192.0.2.0/24 --daemon
To stop the recursor by hand, run:
# rec_control quit
However, the recommended way of starting and stopping the recursor is
to use systemctl(1) or the init.d script.
OPTIONS
For authoritative listing of options, consult the online documentation
at
--allow-from=
If set, only allow these comma separated networks, with network
mask to recurse. For example: 192.0.2.0/24,203.0.113.128/25.
--auth-zones=
Where authzone is =. Serve zonename from
filename authoritatively. For example:
ds9a.nl=/var/zones/ds9a.nl,powerdns.com=/var/zones/powerdns.com.
--chroot=
chroot the process to directory.
--client-tcp-timeout=
Timeout in seconds when talking to TCP clients.
--config
Show the current configuration. Since 4.8.0 there are three
optional values: --config=default to show the default
configuration. --config=diff show modified options in the
current configuration. --config=check to check the current
configuration for errors.
--config-dir=
Location of configuration directory (recursor.conf), the default
depends on the SYSCONFDIR option at build-time, which is usually
/etc/powerdns. The default can be found with pdns_recursor
--config | grep ' config-dir='.
--daemon
Operate as a daemon.
--entropy-source=
Read new entropy from file, defaults to /dev/urandom.
--export-etc-hosts
If set, this flag will export the hostnames and IP addresses
mentioned in /etc/hosts.
--forward-zones=
Where forwardzone is =. Queries for zonename
will be forwarded to address. address should be an IP address,
not a hostname (to prevent chicken and egg problems). Example:
forward-zones= ds9a.nl=213.244.168.210, powerdns.com=127.0.0.1.
--forward-zones-file=
Similar to --forward-zones, but read the options from filename.
filename should contain one zone per line, like:
ds9a.nl=213.244.168.210.
--help Show a summary of options.
--hint-file=
Load root hints from this filename
--local-address=
Listen on address, separated by spaces or commas. Addresses
specified can include port numbers; any which do not include
port numbers will listen on --local-port.
--local-port=
Listen on port.
--log-common-errors
If we should log rather common errors.
--max-cache-entries=
Maximum number of entries in the main cache.
--max-negative-ttl=
maximum number of seconds to keep a negative cached entry in
memory.
--max-tcp-clients=
Maximum number of simultaneous TCP clients.
--max-tcp-per-client=
If set, maximum number of TCP sessions per client (IP address).
--query-local-address=
Use address as Source IP address when sending queries.
--quiet
Suppress logging of questions and answers.
--server-id=
Return text WHen queried for 'id.server' TXT, defaults to
hostname.
--serve-rfc1918
On by default, this makes the server authoritatively aware of:
10.in-addr.arpa, 168.192.in-addr.arpa and
16-31.172.in-addr.arpa, which saves load on the AS112 servers.
Individual parts of these zones can still be loaded or
forwarded.
--setgid=
If set, change group id to gid for more security.
--setuid=
If set, change user id to uid for more security.
--single-socket
If set, only use a single socket for outgoing queries.
--socket-dir=
The controlsocket will live in directory.
--spoof-nearmiss-max=
If non-zero, assume spoofing after this many near misses.
--trace
if we should output heaps of logging.
--version-string=
text WILL be reported on version.pdns or version.bind queries.
SEE ALSO
rec_control(1) systemctl(1) https://docs.powerdns.com/recursor
AUTHOR
PowerDNS.COM BV
COPYRIGHT
PowerDNS.COM BV
January 13, 2025 PDNS_RECURSOR(1)