ULTRIX Guide to the BIND/Hesiod Service

This document is a comprehensive "Guide to the BIND/Hesiod Service" for ULTRIX, Version 4.0 or higher, primarily aimed at system and network managers.

It introduces the BIND (Berkeley Internet Name Domain) service and the Hesiod name server as a lookup service for host names, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, and various user and network services. Hesiod operates on top of BIND, extending its capabilities to manage various system databases like aliases, passwords, and services.

The guide covers:

• Core Concepts: Explains the hierarchical structure of BIND domains and defines different server types (root, master, caching, forwarding, and slave servers) and client roles.
• Data File Formats: Details the structure and types of Resource Records (RRs) used in BIND/Hesiod data files, such as Address (A), Canonical Name (CNAME), Mail Exchanger (MX), Start of Authority (SOA), and Hesiod Text (TXT) entries.
• Configuration: Provides step-by-step instructions for configuring ULTRIX systems as BIND/Hesiod clients or various server types, primarily using the automated bindsetup command, but also detailing manual configuration of key files like svc.conf, resolv.conf, and hosts.
• Management: Guides users on maintaining their domain, registering with public networks (like DARPA Internet, CSNET, BITNET), and utilizing utilities such as nslookup, nsquery, and whois to obtain network information. It also explains how to create and use custom Hesiod databases.
• Troubleshooting: Offers advice on debugging the BIND/Hesiod service, including reviewing debug files (syslog, named_dump.db, named.run, named.stats) and sending signals to the named daemon.

Overall, it's a practical manual for the installation, setup, operation, and maintenance of the BIND/Hesiod name service in an ULTRIX environment.