Edit the /var/named/chroot/etc/named.conf file as follows: (Added or changed text in bold)
NB some installations might not be “chrooted” so check the location as you install and adjust according. The named.conf file could be in the “/etc” directory.
The ref to the "reverse lookup" can be your IP address in reverse order. Forwarders will be when the DNS server will direct requests if it can't reslove it it's self
In the above example, you could limit those allowed to resolve the domain name to your local network by changing “any” in the allow query section to “<ipaddressrange>/24”
Create the “root.hint” and the 127.0.0.zone files from backup or the server, into the /var/named/ folder
Create the zone files in the /var/named/ directory. Note the file name in the named.conf file and create a forward and reverse lookup file for each. Example follows:
NB Make sure that you have put a “.” after the domain name in the zone file. Also the address of the administrator (admin.mail.yourdomain.com.) has a “.” instead of an “@”, and there is also a “.” at the end of the address.
------------------------------Example of reverse lookup--------------
$TTL 3D
@ IN SOA www.yourdomain.com. admin.mail.yourdomain.com. (
Please note that if you make any additional changes to the above documents you must increment the "serial number" (use the date)
Start the named service with the command “service named start”, while checking in the “/var/log/messages” for errors - There should be no errors, and you should see your zone files load/
Test by pinging from a client that is set to use your DNS server
NB type the following at the command prompt to start DNS at boot