Comparison of DNS server software

This article presents a comparison of the features, platform support, and packaging of independent implementations of Domain Name System (DNS) name server software.

Each of these DNS servers is an independent implementation of the DNS protocols, capable of resolving DNS names for other computers, publishing the DNS names of computers, or both. Excluded from consideration are single-feature DNS tools (such as proxies, filters, and firewalls) and redistributions of servers listed here (many products repackage BIND, for instance, with proprietary user interfaces).

DNS servers are grouped into several categories of specialization of servicing domain name system queries. The two principal roles, which may be implemented either uniquely or combined in a given product are:

AnswerX is Akamai’s recursive DNS resolver (rDNS). It has evolved from the Xerocole acquisition. AnswerX is a modern resolver, supporting DNSSEC, IPv6, and full subscriber aware policy controls. It can be used for DNS firewall functionality, extensive logging, and a platform for service creation. AnswerX is sold as software working on common servers (no specialized hardware). The software is built to process millions of transactions per second on standard hardware.

BIND is the de facto standard DNS server. It is a free software product and is distributed with most Unix and Linux platforms, where it is most often also referred to as named (name daemon). It is the most widely deployed DNS server. Historically, BIND underwent three major revisions, each with significantly different architectures: BIND4, BIND8, and BIND9. BIND4 and BIND8 are now technically obsolete and not considered in this article. BIND9 is a ground-up rewrite of BIND featuring complete DNSSEC support in addition to other features and enhancements.

Internet Systems Consortium started development of a new version, BIND 10. Its first release was in April 2010, but ISC involvement concluded with the release of BIND 10 version 1.2 in April 2014. ISC cited a lack of resources to continue development of BIND 10, and they reaffirmed their commitment to BIND9.

The BIND 10 codebase continues on as an open source project at http://bundy-dns.de/ (ibid.) It is not included in this comparison at this time.

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