Dns and NetBSD

How to Set Up a DNS Server with NetBSD: Fast, Lightweight, and No Fuss

Hey, Linux and BSD folks! Wanna turn your NetBSD into a slick DNS server that resolves names in a snap while sipping resources? If you’re tired of bloated Linux distros and want a lean system for a home DNS setup, NetBSD is your jam. In this post, I’ll show you how to set up a DNS server using Unbound on NetBSD – it’s easier than you think, and your old PC or Raspberry Pi will thank you! Let’s dive in!

Why Unbound on NetBSD?

NetBSD is perfect for DNS servers because it’s lightweight, stable, and puts you in the driver’s seat. Unbound is a recursive and caching DNS server, ideal for small networks (like your home or a lab). Unlike BIND (which can be a bit heavy), Unbound is simple, secure, and vibes perfectly with NetBSD’s minimalist philosophy. With it, you can resolve domain names, block ads, or even run a local DNS for your homelab.

What You’ll Need

NetBSD installed (version 10.1 or newer, for simplicity).
Root access.
Internet connection to install packages.
10 minutes of your time.

Step-by-Step: Setting Up Unbound on NetBSD

Install Unbound via pkgsrc
NetBSD uses pkgsrc to manage packages. First, make sure pkgsrc is set up. Run as root:
```
export PKG_PATH=http://cdn.netbsd.org/pub/pkgsrc/packages/NetBSD/$(uname -m)/$(uname -r)/All
pkg_add pkgin
pkgin update
pkgin install unbound
```
This downloads and installs Unbound. Easy peasy, right?
Configure Unbound
The default config file is at /usr/pkg/etc/unbound/unbound.conf. Edit it with your favorite editor (like vi):
```
vi /usr/pkg/etc/unbound/unbound.conf
```
A basic config for a local DNS server might look like this:
```
server:
    interface: 0.0.0.0
    access-control: 192.168.1.0/24 allow
    do-ip6: no
    cache-max-ttl: 86400
    verbosity: 1
forward-zone:
    name: "."
    forward-addr: 8.8.8.8
    forward-addr: 8.8.4.4
```
This makes Unbound listen on all interfaces, allow connections from your local network (adjust 192.168.1.0/24 to your range), and forward queries to Google’s DNS servers as a fallback.
Enable and Start Unbound
Enable the service to run on boot:
```
echo "unbound=YES" >> /etc/rc.conf
```
Start the service:
```
service unbound start
```
Test Your Setup
Use the dig command (install with pkgin install bind-tools if needed) to test:
```
dig @127.0.0.1 google.com
```
If everything’s working, you’ll see a response with Google’s IP. Your DNS server is live!

Extra Tips

Security: Unbound is secure by default, but you can enable DNSSEC in unbound.conf by adding do-dnssec: yes.
Ad Blocking: Grab an ad-blocking list (like AdGuard’s) and add it to Unbound to create an ad-free DNS.
Performance: On low-end hardware, Unbound uses just 10-20 MB of RAM, making it perfect for NetBSD on old machines.

Why Choose NetBSD for This?

Compared to Linux, NetBSD is leaner and gives you a clean system without bloat. A DNS server on Ubuntu might drag in unnecessary dependencies, but with NetBSD, you install only what you need. Plus, NetBSD’s documentation is top-notch – check out man unbound or the official site for more details.

What Do You Think?

Your DNS server is ready to rock your network! Have you tried something like this on NetBSD or Linux? Drop a comment below, and if you want more tutorials (like setting up a firewall with NetBSD), just let me know. Sources: NetBSD documentation, Unbound man pages, and X posts about homelabs. Catch you next time!