DNS Server on CentOS5

JRink · 06-01-2009, 03:24 PM

Hello.
Pardon my ignorance (mainly networking and Windows guy here).

I need to build a quick Linux box (going to use CentOS-5) to serve as a DNS server for about 15-20 machines.

Two quick questions.
1. Since I have very little experience with command line linux stuff, would you recommend I install CentOS with a GUI to more easily configure DNS?

2. I need this DNS server to forward out all DNS queries to my OpenDNS servers on the internet. I'm assuming this can easily be done?

Thanks for the help.
J

archangel_617b · 06-01-2009, 03:59 PM

Yes, there is a simple GUI for DNS configuration which I've found works pretty well.

For forwarders, there is a DNS server option called, well, forwarders. in the GUI, you right-click the top level DNS Server object and add the option there.

Enjoy!

- Arch

rweaver · 06-01-2009, 04:07 PM

I wouldn't recommend a GUI in case it turns into a long term item (plan for worst.) The setup in bind itself is simplistic in the options section of the config you're going to add a couple lines to the tune of:

Code:

forward first;
forwarders {
  ip;
  ip;
  ip;
}

Then execute service named restart

billymayday · 06-01-2009, 04:21 PM

Assuming you are using bind (called "named" on CentOS), I'd forgo the GUI, and pick one of the reasonably easy to follow example configurations here https://www.isc.org/files/Bv9.3ARM.pdf. Bind 9.3 is the version CentOS currently uses.

JRink · 06-02-2009, 11:49 AM

Arch mentions a GUI DNS program to configure DNS? Where is this? I have my CentOS5 box installed, and I told it to install DNS Name Server during the OS install, but I don't see any GUI program? Really lost here. (not skilled with linux).

Thanks

chrism01 · 06-02-2009, 08:24 PM

This is the manual for RHEL5 == centos 5: http://www.linuxtopia.org/online_boo...5_ch-bind.html
Its quite well written.

archangel_617b · 06-03-2009, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRink

Arch mentions a GUI DNS program to configure DNS? Where is this? I have my CentOS5 box installed, and I told it to install DNS Name Server during the OS install, but I don't see any GUI program? Really lost here. (not skilled with linux).

Thanks

I think it's under one of the menus like Administration > System Tools ... There should be a bunch of them for DNS, web, and a couple others.

If you don't see them, use the add / remove software tool and look around under the server packages. The package names are "system-config-<something>" but there should just be something for server GUI tools or something like that? Sorry, I use Kubuntu at home so I'm just trying to remember off the top of my head. Poke around a bit with the software manager, you should find the packages you want.

- Arch

billymayday · 06-03-2009, 12:12 AM

I think it's system-config-bind