Configuration of global parameters controls the behavior of the entire LoadMaster. The Source of Authority (otherwise known as Start of Authority) information is not required for basic functionality; however, it is recommended to populate this metadata to accurately represent the LoadMaster DNS server.

Note: In LoadMaster firmware version 7.2.52, the Zone Name field moved to the new Zone section and a new Apply to Zone Only check box was added to the Source of Authority section.

Example Source of Authority values, and descriptions of each of the fields, are provided below:

Field

Example

Description
Apply to Zone Only If this option is enabled, the Source of Authority (SOA) parameters are applied only to the zone. If it is disabled, the SOA parameters apply to all Fully Qualified Domain Names (FQDNs). The Apply to Zone Only option is disabled by default.

Source of Authority

kemptechnologies.com

The name of the domain owner. The default value is ns.<FQDNorZone>.

Name Server

GEO1.kemptechnologies.com

The name of the DNS server

The maximum number of characters permitted in this field is 1022.

If a zone is configured, a Name Server must also be configured (otherwise there will be a SERVFAIL). The default value is ns.<FQDNorZone>.

SOA Email

hostmaster.example.com

Email address of the person responsible for the zone and to which email may be sent to report errors or problems. This is the email address of a suitable DNS administrator but more commonly the technical contact for the domain.

By convention (in RFC 2142) it is suggested that the reserved mailbox hostmaster is used for this purpose but any valid email address will work.

Note: The format is <MailboxName>.<Domain>.com, for example, hostmaster.example.com (uses a full stop (.) rather than the usual @ symbol because the @ symbol has other uses in the zone file) but mail is sent to hostmaster@example.com.

The default value is hostmaster.<FQDNorZone>.

The default values for the Source of Authority, Name Server, and SOA Email use the zone for any FQDNs that fall under that zone instead of the FQDN (if one has been set).

Note: As of LoadMaster version 7.2.60.1, underscores are supported in the Source of Authority, Name Server, and SOA Email fields.