System administration

Knot DNS – authoritative-only DNS server

Knot DNS is a high-performance authoritative-only DNS server which supports all key features of the modern domain name system.

It was created from scratch and is actively developed by CZ.NIC, the .CZ domain registry.

This is free and open source software.

Key Features

  • Primary and secondary server operation.
  • Internet class (IN).
  • DNS extension (EDNS0, EDE).
  • TCP and UDP protocols.
  • Zone catalog generation and interpretation.
  • Minimal responses.
  • Dynamic zone updates.
  • DNSSEC with NSEC and NSEC3.
  • ZONEMD generation and validation.
  • Transaction signature using TSIG.
  • Full and incremental zone transfers (AXFR, IXFR).
  • Name server identification using NSID or Chaos TXT records.
  • Resource record types A, NS, CNAME, SOA, PTR, HINFO, MINFO, MX, TXT, RP, AFSDB, RT, KEY, AAAA, LOC, SRV, NAPTR, KX, CERT, DNAME, APL, DS, SSHFP, IPSECKEY, RRSIG, NSEC, DNSKEY, DHCID, NSEC3, NSEC3PARAM, TLSA, SMIMEA, CDS, CDNSKEY, OPENPGPKEY, CSYNC, ZONEMD, SVCB, HTTPS, SPF, NID, L32, L64, LP, EUI48, EUI64, URI, CAA, and Unknown.

Website: www.knot-dns.cz
Support: Documentation, GitLab Code Repository
Developer: CZ.NIC
License: GNU General Public License v3.0

Knot DNS is written in C. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.


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TechnitiumSelf host a DNS server for privacy and security
SmartDNSLocal DNS server that accepts DNS query requests from local clients
UnboundValidating, recursive, caching DNS resolver
HickoryRust-based DNS client, server and resolver
YADIFALightweight authoritative Name Server with DNSSEC capabilities
Knot DNSHigh-performance authoritative-only DNS server
gdnsdAuthoritative-only DNS server
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acme-dnsSimplified DNS server with a RESTful HTTP API
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MaraDNSSmall DNS server
aardvark-dnsAuthoritative DNS server for A/AAAA container records
FDNSEncrypted DNS proxy designed for small networks and Linux desktops
tinydnsTiny DNS server with simple JSON config
pkdnsDNS server resolving pkarr self-sovereign domains
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PopuraDNSSimple DNS server with decentralized domain names support
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Read our verdict in the software roundup.


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