7.1.1. The /etc/namedb/named.boot file

The /etc/namedb/named.boot file controls the startup settings of the DNS server. Esentially, it tells the Name Server:

1. Where to find configuration files,
2. What "domain names" it's responsible for, and
3. Where to find other DNS servers.

Using the 'ee' editor, create a /etc/namedb/named.boot with the following contents: <hr>

; boot file for mini-name server

directory	/etc/namedb

; type    domain		source host/file		backup file

cache     .			named.root
primary   my.domain.		mydomain.db

Lines that begin with a semi-colon are comments. The significant lines in this file are:

• directory /etc/namedb

  Tells the Name Server where to find the configuration files referenced in the remaining sections of the '/etc/namedb/named.boot' file.

• cache . named.root

  Tells the Name Server that the list of "Top-Level" DNS servers for the Internet can be found in a file called 'named.root'. (This file is included in the base installation and its contents are not described in this document.)

• primary my.domain. mydomain.db

  Tells the Name Server that it will be "authoritative" for a DNS domain called "my.domain" and that a list of names and IP addresses for the systems in "my.domain" (the local network) can be found in a file named 'mydomain.db'.

Once the /etc/namedb/named.boot file has been created and saved, proceed to the next section to create the /etc/namedb/mydomain.db file.