DNS records

CDNSKEY record

A CDNSKEY (child DNSKEY) record is the key-signing key your zone wants the parent to trust, published so the parent can build the DS itself. It's the DNSKEY counterpart of CDS. A CDNSKEY of 0 3 0 AA== asks for DNSSEC to be turned off.

Record typeCDNSKEY
Type number60
Used forDNSSEC
How commonSpecialist
Defined inRFC 7344, RFC 8078

Format

@ <ttl> IN CDNSKEY <flags> 3 <algorithm> <public key>
FieldWhat it meansAccepted values
FieldsExactly as DNSKEY.See DNSKEY.

Check a CDNSKEY record

Type or paste a record in zone-file form (name, TTL, type, value) or just its value. Each part is explained as you type.

A valid CDNSKEY record.

PartWhat it means
Name@@ means the domain itself (the root, or apex), such as example.com.
TTL3600Resolvers may keep this answer for 1 hour before asking again. Changes can take that long to reach everyone.
ClassINInternet. Every record you'll write uses IN.
TypeCDNSKEYChild's copy of DNSKEY, for automatic updates.
Flags257257: key-signing key (KSK). Signs the DNSKEY set; its hash goes in the parent's DS.
Protocol3Always 3.
Algorithm1313 is ECDSA P-256 with SHA-256. The recommended choice: small keys and signatures, supported everywhere.
Public keymdsswUyr3DPW132mOi8V9xESWE8jTo0dxCjjnopKl+GqJxpVXckHAeF+KkxLbxILfDLUT…The public key, base64 encoded.

Examples

The key to trust

@ 3600 IN CDNSKEY 257 3 13 mdsswUyr3DPW132mOi8V9xESWE8jTo0dxCjjnopKl+GqJxpVXckHAeF+KkxLbxILfDLUT0rAK9iUzy1L53eKGQ==

The parent hashes it into a DS.

Turn DNSSEC off

@ 3600 IN CDNSKEY 0 3 0 AA==

Asks the parent to remove the DS.

Look up CDNSKEY records

TTL

Common mistakes

  • Publishing CDS and CDNSKEY that disagree. Parents ignore both.

At your DNS host

  • Published automatically by hosts that support automatic DS updates.

Questions

Do I need both CDS and CDNSKEY?

Some parents read one, some the other. Hosts usually publish both, and they must match.

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