How to Check DNS ( BIND ) Configuration File

Command named-checkconf checks the syntax only of a named ( bind ) configuration file. The file is parsed and checked for syntax errors, along with all files included by it. If there are no file is specified with command, /etc/named.conf is read by default.

Tip 1: Check DNS (Bind) Configuration

In case of any changes done in bind configuration, I recommend to check dns configuration file before restarting service.

# named-checkconf /etc/named.conf

If bind is running in chroot environment use below command also along with above command

# named-checkconf -t /var/named/chroot /etc/named.conf

Above command will show nothing if there are no error found in configuration file. In case of any error will displayed as output.

Tip 2: Check Bind Zone File

To check the syntax of zone file use command as below. It will show result in both cases.

# named-checkzone demotecadmin.net /var/named/demotecadmin.net.db

Sample output;

zone demotecadmin.net/IN: loaded serial 3013040200
OK

Tip 3: Check Configuration file in Older version of Bind

If you are using older version of bind, you can have also check the configuration using below command.

# service named configtest

Sample Outut:

zone tool.com/IN: loaded serial 42
zone localhost/IN: loaded serial 42
zone 1.168.192.in-addr.arpa/IN: loaded serial 1997022700
zone 0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.ip6.arpa/IN: loaded serial 1997022700
zone 255.in-addr.arpa/IN: loaded serial 42
zone 0.in-addr.arpa/IN: loaded serial 42