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+.. highlight:: none
+.. _Configuration:
+
+*************
+Configuration
+*************
+
+Simple configuration
+====================
+
+The following example presents a simple configuration file
+which can be used as a base for your Knot DNS setup::
+
+ # Example of a very simple Knot DNS configuration.
+
+ server:
+ listen: 0.0.0.0@53
+ listen: ::@53
+
+ zone:
+ - domain: example.com
+ storage: /var/lib/knot/zones/
+ file: example.com.zone
+
+ log:
+ - target: syslog
+ any: info
+
+Now let's walk through this configuration step by step:
+
+- The :ref:`server_listen` statement in the :ref:`server section<Server section>`
+ defines where the server will listen for incoming connections.
+ We have defined the server to listen on all available IPv4 and IPv6 addresses,
+ all on port 53.
+- The :ref:`zone section` defines the zones that the server will
+ serve. In this case, we defined one zone named *example.com* which is stored
+ in the zone file :file:`/var/lib/knot/zones/example.com.zone`.
+- The :ref:`log section` defines the log facilities for
+ the server. In this example, we told Knot DNS to send its log messages with
+ the severity ``info`` or more serious to the syslog (or systemd journal).
+
+For detailed description of all configuration items see
+:ref:`Configuration Reference`.
+
+Zone templates
+==============
+
+A zone template allows a single zone configuration to be shared among several
+zones. There is no inheritance between templates; they are exclusive. The
+``default`` template identifier is reserved for the default template::
+
+ template:
+ - id: default
+ storage: /var/lib/knot/master
+ semantic-checks: on
+
+ - id: signed
+ storage: /var/lib/knot/signed
+ dnssec-signing: on
+ semantic-checks: on
+ master: [master1, master2]
+
+ - id: slave
+ storage: /var/lib/knot/slave
+
+ zone:
+ - domain: example1.com # Uses default template
+
+ - domain: example2.com # Uses default template
+ semantic-checks: off # Override default settings
+
+ - domain: example.cz
+ template: signed
+ master: master3 # Override masters to just master3
+
+ - domain: example1.eu
+ template: slave
+ master: master1
+
+ - domain: example2.eu
+ template: slave
+ master: master2
+
+.. NOTE::
+ Each template option can be explicitly overridden in zone-specific configuration.
+
+.. _ACL:
+
+Access control list (ACL)
+=========================
+
+Some types of incoming DNS requests must be authorized before they can be
+processed by the server. A zone can have configured :ref:`zone_acl` which is
+a sequence of :ref:`rules <ACL section>` describing what requests are authorized.
+By default if :ref:`automatic ACL <server_automatic-acl>` is not enabled, all requests,
+which require authorization, are denied.
+
+Every ACL rule can allow or deny one or more request types based on the
+source IP address, network subnet, or address range and/or if the request is
+secured by a given TSIG key. See :doc:`keymgr -t<man_keymgr>` on how
+to generate a TSIG key.
+
+If there are multiple ACL rules assigned to a zone, they are applied in the
+specified order of the :ref:`zone_acl` configuration. The first rule that matches
+the given request is applied and the remaining rules are ignored. Some examples::
+
+ acl:
+ - id: address_rule
+ address: [2001:db8::1, 192.168.2.0/24]
+ action: transfer
+
+ - id: deny_rule
+ address: 192.168.2.100
+ action: transfer
+ deny: on
+
+ zone:
+ - domain: acl1.example.com
+ acl: [deny_rule, address_rule] # Allow some addresses with an exception
+
+::
+
+ key:
+ - id: key1 # The real TSIG key name
+ algorithm: hmac-sha256
+ secret: 4Tc0K1QkcMCs7cOW2LuSWnxQY0qysdvsZlSb4yTN9pA=
+
+ acl:
+ - id: deny_all
+ address: 192.168.3.0/24
+ deny: on # No action specified and deny on implies denial of all actions
+
+ - id: key_rule
+ key: key1 # Access based just on TSIG key
+ action: [transfer, notify]
+
+ zone:
+ - domain: acl2.example.com
+ acl: [deny_all, key_rule] # Allow with the TSIG except for the subnet
+
+In the case of dynamic DNS updates, some additional conditions may be specified
+for more granular filtering. See more in the section :ref:`Restricting dynamic updates`.
+
+.. NOTE::
+ If more conditions (address ranges and/or a key)
+ are given in a single ACL rule, all of them have to be satisfied for the rule to match.
+
+.. TIP::
+ In order to restrict regular DNS queries, use module :ref:`queryacl<mod-queryacl>`.
+
+Secondary (slave) zone
+======================
+
+Knot DNS doesn't strictly differ between primary (formerly known as master)
+and secondary (formerly known as slave) zones. The only requirement for a secondary
+zone is to have a :ref:`zone_master` statement set. For effective zone synchronization,
+incoming zone change notifications (NOTIFY), which require authorization, can be
+enabled using :ref:`automatic ACL <server_automatic-acl>` or :ref:`explicit ACL <zone_acl>`
+configuration. Optional transaction authentication (TSIG) is supported for both
+zone transfers and zone notifications::
+
+ server:
+ automatic-acl: on # Enabled automatic ACL
+
+ key:
+ - id: xfr_notify_key # Common TSIG key for XFR an NOTIFY
+ algorithm: hmac-sha256
+ secret: VFRejzw8h4M7mb0xZKRFiZAfhhd1eDGybjqHr2FV3vc=
+
+ remote:
+ - id: primary
+ address: [2001:DB8:1::1, 192.168.1.1] # Primary server IP addresses
+ # via: [2001:DB8:2::1, 10.0.0.1] # Local source addresses (optional)
+ key: xfr_notify_key # TSIG key (optional)
+
+ zone:
+ - domain: example.com
+ master: primary # Primary remote(s)
+
+An example of explicit ACL with different TSIG keys for zone transfers
+and notifications::
+
+ key:
+ - id: notify_key # TSIG key for NOTIFY
+ algorithm: hmac-sha256
+ secret: uBbhV4aeSS4fPd+wF2ZIn5pxOMF35xEtdq2ibi2hHEQ=
+
+ - id: xfr_key # TSIG key for XFR
+ algorithm: hmac-sha256
+ secret: VFRejzw8h4M7mb0xZKRFiZAfhhd1eDGybjqHr2FV3vc=
+
+ remote:
+ - id: primary
+ address: [2001:DB8:1::1, 192.168.1.1] # Primary server IP addresses
+ # via: [2001:DB8:2::1, 10.0.0.1] # Local source addresses if needed
+ key: xfr_key # Optional TSIG key
+
+ acl:
+ - id: notify_from_primary # ACL rule for NOTIFY from primary
+ address: [2001:DB8:1::1, 192.168.1.1] # Primary addresses (optional)
+ key: notify_key # TSIG key (optional)
+ action: notify
+
+ zone:
+ - domain: example.com
+ master: primary # Primary remote(s)
+ acl: notify_from_primary # Explicit ACL(s)
+
+Note that the :ref:`zone_master` option accepts a list of remotes, which are
+queried for a zone refresh sequentially in the specified order. When the server
+receives a zone change notification from a listed remote, only that remote is
+used for a subsequent zone transfer.
+
+.. NOTE::
+ When transferring a lot of zones, the server may easily get into a state
+ where all available ports are in the TIME_WAIT state, thus transfers
+ cease until the operating system closes the ports for good. There are
+ several ways to work around this:
+
+ * Allow reusing of ports in TIME_WAIT (sysctl -w net.ipv4.tcp_tw_reuse=1)
+ * Shorten TIME_WAIT timeout (tcp_fin_timeout)
+ * Increase available local port count
+
+Primary (master) zone
+=====================
+
+A zone is considered primary if it doesn't have :ref:`zone_master` set. As
+outgoing zone transfers (XFR) require authorization, it must be enabled
+using :ref:`automatic ACL <server_automatic-acl>` or :ref:`explicit ACL <zone_acl>`
+configuration. Outgoing zone change notifications (NOTIFY) to remotes can be
+set by configuring :ref:`zone_notify`. Transaction authentication
+(TSIG) is supported for both zone transfers and zone notifications::
+
+ server:
+ automatic-acl: on # Enabled automatic ACL
+
+ key:
+ - id: xfr_notify_key # Common TSIG key for XFR an NOTIFY
+ algorithm: hmac-sha256
+ secret: VFRejzw8h4M7mb0xZKRFiZAfhhd1eDGybjqHr2FV3vc=
+
+ remote:
+ - id: secondary
+ address: [2001:DB8:1::1, 192.168.1.1] # Secondary server IP addresses
+ # via: [2001:DB8:2::1, 10.0.0.1] # Local source addresses (optional)
+ key: xfr_notify_key # TSIG key (optional)
+
+ acl:
+ - id: local_xfr # Allow XFR to localhost without TSIG
+ address: [::1, 127.0.0.1]
+ action: transfer
+
+ zone:
+ - domain: example.com
+ notify: secondary # Secondary remote(s)
+ acl: local_xfr # Explicit ACL for local XFR
+
+Note that the :ref:`zone_notify` option accepts a list of remotes, which are
+all notified sequentially in the specified order.
+
+A secondary zone may serve as a primary zone for a different set of remotes
+at the same time.
+
+Dynamic updates
+===============
+
+Dynamic updates for the zone are allowed via proper ACL rule with the
+``update`` action. If the zone is configured as a secondary and a DNS update
+message is accepted, the server forwards the message to its primary master.
+The primary master's response is then forwarded back to the originator.
+
+However, if the zone is configured as a primary, the update is accepted and
+processed::
+
+ acl:
+ - id: update_acl
+ address: 192.168.3.0/24
+ action: update
+
+ zone:
+ - domain: example.com
+ acl: update_acl
+
+.. _Restricting dynamic updates:
+
+Restricting dynamic updates
+---------------------------
+
+There are several additional ACL options for dynamic DNS updates which affect
+the request classification based on the update contents.
+
+Updates can be restricted to specific resource record types::
+
+ acl:
+ - id: type_rule
+ action: update
+ update-type: [A, AAAA, MX] # Updated records must match one of the specified types
+
+Another possibility is restriction on the owner name of updated records. The option
+:ref:`acl_update-owner` is used to select the source of domain
+names which are used for the comparison. And the option :ref:`acl_update-owner-match`
+specifies the required relation between the record owner and the reference domain
+names. Example::
+
+ acl:
+ - id: owner_rule1
+ action: update
+ update-owner: name # Updated record owners are restricted by the next conditions
+ update-owner-match: equal # The record owner must exactly match one name from the next list
+ update-owner-name: [foo, bar.] # Reference domain names
+
+.. NOTE::
+ If the specified owner name is non-FQDN (e.g. ``foo``), it's considered relatively
+ to the effective zone name. So it can apply to more zones
+ (e.g. ``foo.example.com.`` or ``foo.example.net.``). Alternatively, if the
+ name is FQDN (e.g. ``bar.``), the rule only applies to this name.
+
+If the reference domain name is the zone name, the following variant can be used::
+
+ acl:
+ - id: owner_rule2
+ action: update
+ update-owner: zone # The reference name is the zone name
+ update-owner-match: sub # Any record owner matches except for the zone name itself
+
+ template:
+ - id: default
+ acl: owner_rule2
+
+ zone:
+ - domain: example.com.
+ - domain: example.net.
+
+The last variant is for the cases where the reference domain name is a TSIG key name,
+which must be used for the transaction security::
+
+ key:
+ - id: example.com # Key names are always considered FQDN
+ ...
+ - id: steve.example.net
+ ...
+ - id: jane.example.net
+ ...
+
+ acl:
+ - id: owner_rule3_com
+ action: update
+ update-owner: key # The reference name is the TSIG key name
+ update-owner-match: sub # The record owner must be a subdomain of the key name
+ key: [example.com] # One common key for updating all non-apex records
+
+ - id: owner_rule3_net
+ action: update
+ update-owner: key # The reference name is the TSIG key name
+ update-owner-match: equal # The record owner must exactly match the used key name
+ key: [steve.example.net, jane.example.net] # Keys for updating specific zone nodes
+
+ zone:
+ - domain: example.com.
+ acl: owner_rule3_com
+ - domain: example.net.
+ acl: owner_rule3_net
+
+.. _dnssec:
+
+Automatic DNSSEC signing
+========================
+
+Knot DNS supports automatic DNSSEC signing of zones. The signing
+can operate in two modes:
+
+1. :ref:`Automatic key management <dnssec-automatic-zsk-management>`.
+ In this mode, the server maintains signing keys. New keys are generated
+ according to assigned policy and are rolled automatically in a safe manner.
+ No zone operator intervention is necessary.
+
+2. :ref:`Manual key management <dnssec-manual-key-management>`.
+ In this mode, the server maintains zone signatures only. The signatures
+ are kept up-to-date and signing keys are rolled according to timing
+ parameters assigned to the keys. The keys must be generated and timing
+ parameters must be assigned by the zone operator.
+
+The DNSSEC signing process maintains some metadata which is stored in the
+:abbr:`KASP (Key And Signature Policy)` database. This database is backed
+by LMDB.
+
+.. WARNING::
+ Make sure to set the KASP database permissions correctly. For manual key
+ management, the database must be *readable* by the server process. For
+ automatic key management, it must be *writeable*. If no HSM is used,
+ the database also contains private key material – don't set the permissions
+ too weak.
+
+.. _dnssec-automatic-zsk-management:
+
+Automatic ZSK management
+------------------------
+
+For automatic ZSK management a signing :ref:`policy<Policy section>` has to
+be configured and assigned to the zone. The policy specifies how the zone
+is signed (i.e. signing algorithm, key size, key lifetime, signature lifetime,
+etc.). If no policy is specified or the ``default`` one is assigned, the
+default signing parameters are used.
+
+A minimal zone configuration may look as follows::
+
+ zone:
+ - domain: myzone.test
+ dnssec-signing: on
+
+With a custom signing policy, the policy section will be added::
+
+ policy:
+ - id: custom_policy
+ signing-threads: 4
+ algorithm: ECDSAP256SHA256
+ zsk-lifetime: 60d
+
+ zone:
+ - domain: myzone.test
+ dnssec-signing: on
+ dnssec-policy: custom_policy
+
+After configuring the server, reload the changes:
+
+.. code-block:: console
+
+ $ knotc reload
+
+The server will generate initial signing keys and sign the zone properly. Check
+the server logs to see whether everything went well.
+
+.. _dnssec-automatic-ksk-management:
+
+Automatic KSK management
+------------------------
+
+For automatic KSK management, first configure ZSK management like above, and use
+additional options in :ref:`policy section <Policy section>`, mostly specifying
+desired (finite) lifetime for KSK: ::
+
+ remote:
+ - id: parent_zone_server
+ address: 192.168.12.1@53
+
+ submission:
+ - id: parent_zone_sbm
+ parent: [parent_zone_server]
+
+ policy:
+ - id: custom_policy
+ signing-threads: 4
+ algorithm: ECDSAP256SHA256
+ zsk-lifetime: 60d
+ ksk-lifetime: 365d
+ ksk-submission: parent_zone_sbm
+
+ zone:
+ - domain: myzone.test
+ dnssec-signing: on
+ dnssec-policy: custom_policy
+
+After the initially-generated KSK reaches its lifetime, new KSK is published and after
+convenience delay the submission is started. The server publishes CDS and CDNSKEY records
+and the user shall propagate them to the parent. The server periodically checks for
+DS at the parent zone and when positive, finishes the rollover.
+
+.. _dnssec-manual-key-management:
+
+Manual key management
+---------------------
+
+For automatic DNSSEC signing with manual key management, a signing policy
+with manual key management flag has to be set::
+
+ policy:
+ - id: manual
+ manual: on
+
+ zone:
+ - domain: myzone.test
+ dnssec-signing: on
+ dnssec-policy: manual
+
+To generate signing keys, use the :doc:`keymgr<man_keymgr>` utility.
+For example, we can use Single-Type Signing:
+
+.. code-block:: console
+
+ $ keymgr myzone.test. generate algorithm=ECDSAP256SHA256 ksk=yes zsk=yes
+
+And reload the server. The zone will be signed.
+
+To perform a manual rollover of a key, the timing parameters of the key need
+to be set. Let's roll the key. Generate a new key, but do not activate
+it yet:
+
+.. code-block:: console
+
+ $ keymgr myzone.test. generate algorithm=ECDSAP256SHA256 ksk=yes zsk=yes active=+1d
+
+Take the key ID (or key tag) of the old key and disable it the same time
+the new key gets activated:
+
+.. code-block:: console
+
+ $ keymgr myzone.test. set <old_key_id> retire=+2d remove=+3d
+
+Reload the server again. The new key will be published (i.e. the DNSKEY record
+will be added into the zone). Remember to update the DS record in the
+parent zone to include a reference to the new key. This must happen within one
+day (in this case) including a delay required to propagate the new DS to
+caches.
+
+.. WARNING::
+ If you ever decide to switch from manual key management to automatic key management,
+ note that the automatic key management uses
+ :ref:`policy_zsk-lifetime` and :ref:`policy_ksk-lifetime` policy configuration
+ options to schedule key rollovers and it internally uses timestamps of keys differently
+ than in the manual case. As a consequence it might break if the ``retire`` or ``remove`` timestamps
+ are set for the manually generated keys currently in use. Make sure to set these timestamps
+ to zero using :doc:`keymgr<man_keymgr>`:
+
+ .. code-block:: console
+
+ $ keymgr myzone.test. set <key_id> retire=0 remove=0
+
+ and configure your policy suitably according to :ref:`dnssec-automatic-zsk-management`
+ and :ref:`dnssec-automatic-ksk-management`.
+
+.. _dnssec-signing:
+
+Zone signing
+------------
+
+The signing process consists of the following steps:
+
+#. Processing KASP database events. (e.g. performing a step of a rollover).
+#. Updating the DNSKEY records. The whole DNSKEY set in zone apex is replaced
+ by the keys from the KASP database. Note that keys added into the zone file
+ manually will be removed. To add an extra DNSKEY record into the set, the
+ key must be imported into the KASP database (possibly deactivated).
+#. Fixing the NSEC or NSEC3 chain.
+#. Removing expired signatures, invalid signatures, signatures expiring
+ in a short time, and signatures issued by an unknown key.
+#. Creating missing signatures. Unless the Single-Type Signing Scheme
+ is used, DNSKEY records in a zone apex are signed by KSK keys and
+ all other records are signed by ZSK keys.
+#. Updating and re-signing SOA record.
+
+The signing is initiated on the following occasions:
+
+- Start of the server
+- Zone reload
+- Reaching the signature refresh period
+- Key set changed due to rollover event
+- Received DDNS update
+- Forced zone re-sign via server control interface
+
+On a forced zone re-sign, all signatures in the zone are dropped and recreated.
+
+The ``knotc zone-status`` command can be used to see when the next scheduled
+DNSSEC re-sign will happen.
+
+.. _dnssec-on-slave-signing:
+
+On-secondary (on-slave) signing
+-------------------------------
+
+It is possible to enable automatic DNSSEC zone signing even on a secondary
+server. If enabled, the zone is signed after every AXFR/IXFR transfer
+from primary, so that the secondary always serves a signed up-to-date version
+of the zone.
+
+It is strongly recommended to block any outside access to the primary
+server, so that only the secondary server's signed version of the zone is served.
+
+Enabled on-secondary signing introduces events when the secondary zone changes
+while the primary zone remains unchanged, such as a key rollover or
+refreshing of RRSIG records, which cause inequality of zone SOA serial
+between primary and secondary. The secondary server handles this by saving the
+primary's SOA serial in a special variable inside KASP DB and appropriately
+modifying AXFR/IXFR queries/answers to keep the communication with
+primary server consistent while applying the changes with a different serial.
+
+.. _catalog-zones:
+
+Catalog zones
+=============
+
+Catalog zones are a concept whereby a list of zones to be configured is maintained
+as contents of a separate, special zone. This approach has the benefit of simple
+propagation of a zone list to secondary servers, especially when the list is
+frequently updated. Currently, catalog zones are described in this `Internet Draft
+<https://tools.ietf.org/html/draft-ietf-dnsop-dns-catalog-zones>`_.
+
+Terminology first. *Catalog zone* is a meta-zone which shall not be a part
+of the DNS tree, but it contains information about the set of member zones and
+is transferable to secondary servers using common AXFR/IXFR techniques.
+A *catalog-member zone* (or just *member zone*) is a zone based on
+information from the catalog zone and not from configuration file/database.
+*Member properties* are some additional information related to each member zone,
+also distributed with the catalog zone.
+
+A catalog zone is handled almost in the same way as a regular zone:
+It can be configured using all the standard options (but for example
+DNSSEC signing is useless as the zone won't be queried by clients), including primary/secondary configuration
+and ACLs. A catalog zone is indicated by setting the option
+:ref:`zone_catalog-role`. The difference is that standard DNS
+queries to a catalog zone are answered with REFUSED as though the zone
+doesn't exist, unless querying over TCP from an address with transfers enabled
+by ACL. The name of the catalog zone is arbitrary. It's possible to configure
+multiple catalog zones.
+
+.. WARNING::
+ Don't choose a name for a catalog zone below a name of any other
+ existing zones configured on the server as it would effectively "shadow"
+ part of your DNS subtree.
+
+Upon catalog zone (re)load or change, all the PTR records in the format
+``unique-id.zones.catalog. 0 IN PTR member.com.`` (but not ``too.deep.zones.catalog.``!)
+are processed and member zones created, with zone names taken from the
+PTR records' RData, and zone settings taken from the configuration
+templates specified by :ref:`zone_catalog-template`.
+
+The owner names of the PTR records shall follow this scheme:
+
+.. code-block:: console
+
+ <unique-id>.zones.<catalog-zone>.
+
+where the mentioned labels shall match:
+
+- *<unique-id>* — Single label that is recommended to be unique among member zones.
+- ``zones`` — Required label.
+- *<catalog-zone>* — Name of the catalog zone.
+
+Additionally, records in the format
+``group.unique-id.zones.catalog. 0 IN TXT "conf-template"``
+are processed as a definition of the member's *group* property. The
+``unique-id`` must match the one of the PTR record defining the member.
+
+All other records and other member properties are ignored. They remain in the catalog
+zone, however, and might be for example transferred to a secondary server,
+which may interpret catalog zones differently. SOA still needs to be present in
+the catalog zone and its serial handled appropriately. An apex NS record must be
+present as for any other zone. The version record ``version 0 IN TXT "2"``
+is required at the catalog zone apex.
+
+A catalog zone may be modified using any standard means (e.g. AXFR/IXFR, DDNS,
+zone file reload). In the case of incremental change, only affected
+member zones are reloaded.
+
+The catalog zone must have at least one :ref:`zone_catalog-template`
+configured. The configuration for any defined member zone is taken from its
+*group* property value, which should match some catalog-template name.
+If the *group* property is not defined for a member, is empty, or doesn't match
+any of defined catalog-template names, the first catalog-template
+(in the order from configuration) is used. Nesting of catalog zones isn't
+supported.
+
+Any de-cataloged member zone is purged immediately, including its
+zone file, journal, timers, and DNSSEC keys. The zone file is not
+deleted if :ref:`zone_zonefile-sync` is set to *-1* for member zones.
+Any member zone, whose PTR record's owner has been changed, is purged
+immediately if and only if the *<unique-id>* has been changed.
+
+When setting up catalog zones, it might be useful to set
+:ref:`database_catalog-db` and :ref:`database_catalog-db-max-size`
+to non-default values.
+
+.. NOTE::
+
+ Whenever a catalog zone is updated, the server reloads itself with
+ all configured zones, including possibly existing other catalog zones.
+ It's similar to calling `knotc zone-reload` (for all zones).
+ The consequence is that new zone files might be discovered and reloaded,
+ even for zones that do not relate to updated catalog zone.
+
+ Catalog zones never expire automatically, regardless of what is declared
+ in the catalog zone SOA. However, a catalog zone can be expired manually
+ at any time using `knotc -f zone-purge +expire`.
+
+ Currently, expiration of a catalog zone doesn't have any effect on its
+ member zones. This will likely change in the future depending on the
+ Internet Draft.
+
+.. WARNING::
+
+ The server does not work well if one member zone appears in two catalog zones
+ concurrently. The user is encouraged to avoid this situation whatsoever.
+ Thus, there is no way a member zone can be migrated from one catalog
+ to another while preserving its metadata. Following steps may be used
+ as a workaround:
+
+ * :ref:`Back up<Data and metadata backup>` the member zone's metadata
+ (on each server separately).
+ * Remove the member zone from the catalog it's a member of.
+ * Wait for the catalog zone to be propagated to all servers.
+ * Add the member zone to the other catalog.
+ * Restore the backed up metadata (on each server separately).
+
+Catalog zones configuration examples
+------------------------------------
+
+Below are configuration snippets (e.g. `server` and `log` sections missing)
+of very simple catalog zone setups, in order to illustrate the relations
+between catalog-related configuration options.
+
+First setup represents a very simple scenario where the primary is
+the catalog zone generator and the secondary is the catalog zone consumer.
+
+Primary configuration::
+
+ acl:
+ - id: slave_xfr
+ address: ...
+ action: transfer
+
+ template:
+ - id: mmemb
+ catalog-role: member
+ catalog-zone: catz.
+ acl: slave_xfr
+
+ zone:
+ - domain: catz.
+ catalog-role: generate
+ acl: slave_xfr
+
+ - domain: foo.com.
+ template: mmemb
+
+ - domain: bar.com.
+ template: mmemb
+
+Secondary configuration::
+
+ acl:
+ - id: master_notify
+ address: ...
+ action: notify
+
+ template:
+ - id: smemb
+ master: master
+ acl: master_notify
+
+ zone:
+ - domain: catz.
+ master: master
+ acl: master_notify
+ catalog-role: interpret
+ catalog-template: smemb
+
+When new zones are added (or removed) to the primary configuration with assigned
+`mmemb` template, they will automatically propagate to the secondary
+and have the `smemb` template assigned there.
+
+Second example is with a hand-written (or script-generated) catalog zone,
+while employing configuration groups::
+
+ catz. 0 SOA invalid. invalid. 1625079950 3600 600 2147483646 0
+ catz. 0 NS invalid.
+ version.catz. 0 TXT "2"
+ nj2xg5bnmz2w4ltd.zones.catz. 0 PTR just-fun.com.
+ group.nj2xg5bnmz2w4ltd.zones.catz. 0 TXT unsigned
+ nvxxezjnmz2w4ltd.zones.catz. 0 PTR more-fun.com.
+ group.nvxxezjnmz2w4ltd.zones.catz. 0 TXT unsigned
+ nfwxa33sorqw45bo.zones.catz. 0 PTR important.com.
+ group.nfwxa33sorqw45bo.zones.catz. 0 TXT signed
+ mjqw42zomnxw2lq0.zones.catz. 0 PTR bank.com.
+ group.mjqw42zomnxw2lq0.zones.catz. 0 TXT signed
+
+And the server in this case is configured to distinguish the groups by applying
+different templates::
+
+ template:
+ - id: unsigned
+ ...
+
+ - id: signed
+ dnssec-signing: on
+ dnssec-policy: ...
+ ...
+
+ zone:
+ - domain: catz.
+ file: ...
+ catalog-role: interpret
+ catalog-template: [ unsigned, signed ]
+
+.. _query-modules:
+
+Query modules
+=============
+
+Knot DNS supports configurable query modules that can alter the way
+queries are processed. Each query requires a finite number of steps to
+be resolved. We call this set of steps a *query plan*, an abstraction
+that groups these steps into several stages.
+
+* Before-query processing
+* Answer, Authority, Additional records packet sections processing
+* After-query processing
+
+For example, processing an Internet-class query needs to find an
+answer. Then based on the previous state, it may also append an
+authority SOA or provide additional records. Each of these actions
+represents a 'processing step'. Now, if a query module is loaded for a
+zone, it is provided with an implicit query plan which can be extended
+by the module or even changed altogether.
+
+A module is active if its name, which includes the ``mod-`` prefix, is assigned
+to the zone/template :ref:`zone_module` option or to the ``default`` template
+:ref:`template_global-module` option if activating for all queries.
+If the module is configurable, a corresponding module section with
+an identifier must be created and then referenced in the form of
+``module_name/module_id``. See :ref:`Modules` for the list of available modules.
+
+.. NOTE::
+ Query modules are processed in the order they are specified in the
+ zone/template configuration. In most cases, the recommended order is::
+
+ mod-synthrecord, mod-onlinesign, mod-cookies, mod-rrl, mod-dnstap, mod-stats
+
+Performance Tuning
+==================
+
+Numbers of Workers
+------------------
+
+There are three types of workers ready for parallel execution of performance-oriented tasks:
+UDP workers, TCP workers, and Background workers. The first two types handle all network requests
+via the UDP and TCP protocol (respectively) and do the response jobs for common
+queries. Background workers process changes to the zone.
+
+By default, Knot determines a well-fitting number of workers based on the number of CPU cores.
+The user can specify the number of workers for each type with configuration/server section:
+:ref:`server_udp-workers`, :ref:`server_tcp-workers`, :ref:`server_background-workers`.
+
+An indication of when to increase the number of workers is when the server is lagging behind
+expected performance, while CPU usage remains low. This is usually due to waiting for network
+or I/O response during the operation. It may be caused by Knot design not fitting the use-case well.
+The user should try increasing the number of workers (of the related type) slightly above 100 and if
+the performance improves, decide a further, exact setting.
+
+Number of available file descriptors
+------------------------------------
+
+A name server configured for a large number of zones (hundreds or more) needs enough file descriptors
+available for zone transfers and zone file updates, which default OS settings often don't provide.
+It's necessary to check with the OS configuration and documentation and ensure the number of file
+descriptors (sometimes called a number of concurrently open files) effective for the knotd process
+is set suitably high. The number of concurrently open incoming TCP connections must be taken into
+account too. In other words, the required setting is affected by the :ref:`server_tcp-max-clients`
+setting.
+
+Sysctl and NIC optimizations
+----------------------------
+
+There are several recommendations based on Knot developers' experience with their specific HW and SW
+(mainstream Intel-based servers, Debian-based GNU/Linux distribution). They may improve or impact
+performance in common use cases.
+
+If your NIC driver allows it (see /proc/interrupts for hint), set CPU affinity (/proc/irq/$IRQ/smp_affinity)
+manually so that each NIC channel is served by unique CPU core(s). You must turn off irqbalance service
+in advance to avoid configuration override.
+
+Configure sysctl as follows: ::
+
+ socket_bufsize=1048576
+ busy_latency=0
+ backlog=40000
+ optmem_max=20480
+
+ net.core.wmem_max = $socket_bufsize
+ net.core.wmem_default = $socket_bufsize
+ net.core.rmem_max = $socket_bufsize
+ net.core.rmem_default = $socket_bufsize
+ net.core.busy_read = $busy_latency
+ net.core.busy_poll = $busy_latency
+ net.core.netdev_max_backlog = $backlog
+ net.core.optmem_max = $optmem_max
+
+Disable huge pages.
+
+Configure your CPU to "performance" mode. This can be achieved depending on architecture, e.g. in BIOS,
+or e.g. configuring /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu*/cpufreq/scaling_governor to "performance".
+
+Tune your NIC device with ethtool: ::
+
+ ethtool -A $dev autoneg off rx off tx off
+ ethtool -K $dev tso off gro off ufo off
+ ethtool -G $dev rx 4096 tx 4096
+ ethtool -C $dev rx-usecs 75
+ ethtool -C $dev tx-usecs 75
+ ethtool -N $dev rx-flow-hash udp4 sdfn
+ ethtool -N $dev rx-flow-hash udp6 sdfn
+
+On FreeBSD you can just: ::
+
+ ifconfig ${dev} -rxcsum -txcsum -lro -tso
+
+Knot developers are open to hear about users' further suggestions about network devices tuning/optimization.