Setting up Raspberry Pi as a DHCP, NTP, and DNS server
The Local Zone
To understand the names of the devices on my own network, I need to add a local zone. First, I add the line listen-on port 53 {any;};
to /etc/bind/named.conf.options
, and reference to the zone files in /etc/bind/named.conf.local
. I then need to create the zone files with the names and IP addresses of all the devices on the home network (Listing 7), as well as the associated reverse zone file (Listing 8). The dots in lines like homenet.de.
are important. If the dot is missing at the end, the system appends the domain name (homenet.de
), and then the name no longer matches.
Listing 7
Zone file /etc/bind/zone.homenet.de
Listing 8
The "reverse" Zone File
If you are interested in more details of the Bind configuration, the content of the files presented here, and the importance of each entry, I recommend the DNS & BIND Cookbook [3]. If you want to completely invest yourself in the functionality of the domain name service, I also recommend DNS & BIND [4].
Address List
The home network now has a central time server and a name server. However, I have to make sure the computers on the network match the IP addresses assigned to them in the zone file. I first need to configure the DHCP server. Only one DHCP server can be active in any subnet, so I need to shut down the DHCP service on the DSL router. To do this, I must consult the user manual for my DSL router.
First, I need to install the DHCP service on the Rasp Pi using apt-get. The fact that automatic startup doesn't initially work, is okay. I only need to change the /etc/dhcp/dhpd.conf
file (Listing 9). After starting the DHCP service with sudo /etc/init.d/isc-dhcp-server
, the DHCP server should work. Now, when I start up a network device, I can see from the /var/log/syslog
file how an IP address is assigned to the device (Listing 10).
Listing 9
Map Hardware Addr to IP Addr
Listing 10
/var/log/syslog
Other Options
You can also configure your Rasp Pi as a file, print, or download server. You'll spend a lot less money (and power) than with a big server system, and if anything goes wrong, you can just start over. That's the beauty of Raspberry Pi.
Infos
- Raspberry Pi: http://www.raspberrypi.org/
- NTP Pool Project: http://www.pool.ntp.org/
- Liu, Cricket. DNS & Bind Cookbook. O'Reilly Media, 2006.
- Liu, Cricket and Paul Albitz. DNS & BIND. O'Reilly Media, 2002. 2IE;
« Previous 1 2
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you've found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
elementary OS 7.1 Now Available for Download
The team behind elementary OS has released the latest version of its operating system with a focus on personalization, inclusivity, accessibility, and privacy.
-
The GNU Project Celebrates Its 40th Birthday
September 27 marks the 40th anniversary of the GNU Project, and it was celebrated with a hacker meeting in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland.
-
Linux Kernel Reducing Long-Term Support
LTS support for the Linux kernel is about to undergo some serious changes that will have a considerable impact on the future.
-
Fedora 39 Beta Now Available for Testing
For fans and users of Fedora Linux, the first beta of release 39 is now available, which is a minor upgrade but does include GNOME 45.
-
Fedora Linux 40 to Drop X11 for KDE Plasma
When Fedora 40 arrives in 2024, there will be a few big changes coming, especially for the KDE Plasma option.
-
Real-Time Ubuntu Available in AWS Marketplace
Anyone looking for a Linux distribution for real-time processing could do a whole lot worse than Real-Time Ubuntu.
-
KSMBD Finally Reaches a Stable State
For those who've been looking forward to the first release of KSMBD, after two years it's no longer considered experimental.
-
Nitrux 3.0.0 Has Been Released
The latest version of Nitrux brings plenty of innovation and fresh apps to the table.
-
Linux From Scratch 12.0 Now Available
If you're looking to roll your own Linux distribution, the latest version of Linux From Scratch is now available with plenty of updates.
-
Linux Kernel 6.5 Has Been Released
The newest Linux kernel, version 6.5, now includes initial support for two very exciting features.