Overview
cPanel supports two primary DNS servers: PowerDNS and BIND/named. Each has its unique features and capabilities, making them suited for different use cases. Understanding these differences is essential for choosing the right DNS server for your hosting environment.
Pre-requirements
- Access to WHM or command-line control for managing DNS services
- Basic understanding of DNS server functions
- Familiarity with DNSSEC, clustering, and DNS utilities
Differences Between PowerDNS and BIND/named
1. DNSSEC in DNS Clustering
PowerDNS supports DNSSEC in a DNS clustering environment, adding an extra layer of security by ensuring the integrity and authenticity of DNS records. In contrast, BIND/named does not natively support DNSSEC within clustering environments.
2. Control Utilities
PowerDNS uses the pdns_control utility for managing its nameserver functions, whereas BIND/named utilizes rndc for administrative tasks.
3. Recursive and Caching Nameserver
PowerDNS does not provide a recursive/caching nameserver, which means external nameservers must be defined in the /etc/resolv.conf file. On the other hand, BIND/named offers both recursive and caching functionality, making it a more versatile choice for environments needing internal DNS caching.
How to Choose Between PowerDNS and BIND/named
- Access the cPanel/WHM interface.
- Navigate to Service Configuration > Nameserver Selection.
- Select either PowerDNS or BIND/named based on your needs. You can read more in the official cPanel documentation: Nameserver Selection in cPanel.
Gotchas to Avoid
- Ensure that if you need DNSSEC for a cluster, PowerDNS is selected. BIND/named does not offer this feature.
- Remember that PowerDNS requires external nameservers for recursive queries, which might require additional configuration steps in
/etc/resolv.conf.
