Agenda: dns-bind-logging.txt

BIND LOGGING
------------

By default, logs from named are sent to /var/log/messages via syslog.

Let's make BIND log in a more detailed fashion.

On AUTH1 (auth1.grpX - and if running BIND on your resolver, on resolv.grpX
as well):

1. Create the log directory:

        $ sudo mkdir -p /etc/namedb/log
        $ sudo chown bind /etc/namedb/log

2. Edit /etc/rc.conf, and enable named (BIND), in case you haven't already
   done so:

        $ sudo ee /etc/rc.conf

named_chrootdir=""
named_enable="YES"

        Save the file and exit.

3. Edit /etc/namedb/named.conf

If it is still there, find and *REMOVE* the "listen-on" line (in the
"options" section):

options {
    ...
    listen-on       { 127.0.0.1; };             // <- remove this line!
    ...
};


Now move to the bottom (end) of the file, and create the "logging section":

// - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - cut below - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

logging {
        // Channels

        channel transfers {
            file "/etc/namedb/log/transfers" versions 3 size 10M;
            print-time yes;
                        severity info;
        };
        channel notify {
            file "/etc/namedb/log/notify" versions 3 size 10M;
            print-time yes;
                        severity info;
        };
        channel dnssec {
            file "/etc/namedb/log/dnssec" versions 3 size 10M;
            print-time yes;
                        severity info;
        };
        channel query {
            file "/etc/namedb/log/query" versions 5 size 10M;
            print-time yes;
                        severity info;
        };
        channel general {
            file "/etc/namedb/log/general" versions 3 size 10M;
            print-time yes;
                        severity info;
        };

        // Categories

        category xfer-out { transfers; };
        category xfer-in { transfers; };
        category notify { notify; };

        category lame-servers { general; };
        category config { general; };
        category default { general; };
        category security { general; };
        category dnssec { dnssec; };

        // category queries { query; };

};

// - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - cut above - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


Save and exit the file, and TEST that it works:

        $ sudo named-checkconf /etc/namedb/named.conf

Note that the "queries" category is commented out. This is on purpose as this
log file on many servers could become very large quickly. 

4. Now reconfig or restart bind:

   $ sudo rndc reconfig

        - Look into /etc/namedb/log/, and see if the files get created.

        If it doesn't work, try:

        - check permissions for /etc/namedb/log
        - restarting named (/etc/rc.d/named restart)

5. Do a zone transfer of you own domain:

        $ dig @auth1.grpX.dns.nsrc.org AXFR MYTLD
        ...

        - Verify that the transfer shows up in /etc/namedb/log/transfers:

17-Feb-2011 11:18:15.331 client 127.0.0.1#61235: transfer of 'MYTLD/IN': AXFR started
17-Feb-2011 11:18:15.331 client 127.0.0.1#61235: transfer of 'MYTLD/IN': AXFR ended

6. Update the serial number on your master zone file:

        $ sudo vi /etc/namedb/master/MYTLD

        Increment Serial by 1 then save the zone file.

        # rndc reload MYTLD

        In the notify log file there should be a line that looks something
        like this:

        $ cat /etc/namedb/log/notify

22-Feb-2012 23:43:48.647 zone MYTLD/IN: sending notifies (serial 2012022306)