---
name: "pdns_server"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "powerdns"
version: "5.1.5-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/pdns_server"
---

# pdns\_server(1)

The PowerDNS Authoritative Nameserver

## NAME

pdns\_server - The PowerDNS Authoritative Nameserver

## SYNOPSIS

**pdns\_server** \[*OPTION*\]

## DESCRIPTION

The PowerDNS Authoritative Server is a versatile nameserver which supports a large number of backends. These backends can either be plain zone files or be more dynamic in nature. Please see the online documentation for more information.

## OPTIONS

See the online documentation for all options. The most important ones are:

- **--daemon**

  Indicate if the server should run in the background as a real daemon, or in the foreground.

- **--guardian**

  Run **pdns\_server** inside a guardian. This guardian monitors the performance of the inner **pdns\_server** instance. It is also this guardian that **pdns\_control** talks to.

- **--control-console**

  Run the server in a special monitor mode. This enables detailed logging and exposes the raw control socket.

- **--loglevel=***\<LEVEL\>*

  Set the logging level.

- **--config**

  Show the current configuration. There are three optional values:

  - **--config=***default*

    show the default configuration.

  - **--config=***diff*

    show modified options in the current configuration.

  - **--config=***check*

    parse the current configuration, with error checking.

- **--help**

  Display the list of all the available options.

## SEE ALSO

[pdns\_control(1)](/pdns_control/1.md), [pdnsutil(1)](/pdnsutil/1.md), *https://doc.powerdns.com/*

## AUTHOR

PowerDNS.COM BV

## COPYRIGHT

PowerDNS.COM BV