Track3Sec: 1.7_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):

1. Create the log directory:

        # mkdir -p /etc/namedb/log
        # chown bind /etc/namedb/log

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

        # ee /etc/rc.conf

named_chrootdir=""
named_enable="YES"

        Save the file and exit.


3. Edit /etc/namedb/named.conf

In the "options" section, find and *REMOVE* the "listen-on" line
if still there:


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:

        # 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:

   # rndc reconfig

        - Look into /etc/namedb/log/, and see if the files get created.
          (e.g., "ls -lt /etc/namedb/log/")

        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 10.10.X.1#61235: transfer of 'MYTLD/IN': AXFR started
17-Feb-2011 11:18:15.331 client 10.10.X.1#61235: transfer of 'MYTLD/IN': AXFR ended

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

        # 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)

7. Optional - view queries

        Remove the "//" from the front of "category queries { query; };" 
        and restart the nameserver 

        # service named restart

        Then start monitoring the query file

        # tail -F /etc/namedb/log/query

        While that is running, in another terminal window or on
        someone else's machine, execute a dig.

        # dig @10.10.XX.1 www.MYTLD.

        You should see the query in the logfile.