dnsmasq

Spec sheet

Purpose

Dnsmasq provides DNS, DHCP, router advertisement and network boot services for small networks.Read 1 Oct 2026 · thekelleys.org.uk

Support

The dnsmasq-discuss mailing list is the first location recommended for queries, bug reports and suggestions.Read 1 Oct 2026 · thekelleys.org.uk

Authoritative DNS

Authoritative DNS mode can export local names to a zone and provide zone transfers to secondaries.Read 1 Oct 2026 · thekelleys.org.uk

DBus integration

When built with DBus support, configuration can be updated through DBus, including upstream DNS servers and cache clearing.Read 1 Oct 2026 · thekelleys.org.uk

DHCP protocols

The DHCP subsystem supports DHCPv4, DHCPv6, BOOTP and PXE.Read 1 Oct 2026 · thekelleys.org.uk

Distribution availability

Dnsmasq is included in most Linux distributions and the FreeBSD, OpenBSD and NetBSD ports systems.Read 1 Oct 2026 · thekelleys.org.uk

DNS caching

The DNS subsystem forwards queries to upstream recursive servers and caches common record types.Read 1 Oct 2026 · thekelleys.org.uk

DNSSEC

Dnsmasq can validate DNSSEC on replies from upstream nameservers to protect against spoofing and cache poisoning.Read 1 Oct 2026 · thekelleys.org.uk

IPv6 routing

The router-advertisement subsystem provides IPv6 host autoconfiguration and can operate with DHCPv6 or stand-alone.Read 1 Oct 2026 · thekelleys.org.uk

Maintenance

Dnsmasq is mainly written and maintained by Simon Kelley as a spare-time project for most of its life and later as his main activity.Read 1 Oct 2026 · thekelleys.org.uk

Network boot

It includes a full PXE server with netboot menus, multiple-architecture support, proxy mode and a read-only TFTP server.Read 1 Oct 2026 · thekelleys.org.uk

Privileges

Dnsmasq normally starts as root to bind privileged ports and then drops privileges to another user.Read 1 Oct 2026 · thekelleys.org.uk

Security behavior

Dnsmasq can restrict DNS service to connected networks to help prevent use in DNS amplification attacks.Read 1 Oct 2026 · thekelleys.org.uk

Supported platforms

Supported platforms include Linux with glibc or uclibc, Android, BSD systems and Mac OS X.Read 1 Oct 2026 · thekelleys.org.uk

Target hardware

It is designed to be lightweight with a small footprint for resource-constrained routers and firewalls.Read 1 Oct 2026 · thekelleys.org.uk

UBus integration

The UBus interface can send DHCPACK and DHCPRELEASE notifications and provide metrics and connection-track-mark filtering.Read 1 Oct 2026 · thekelleys.org.uk

Plans and prices

Every dnsmasq plan and price →

Where Specifiction places it

• DNS Server Software#5 of 238.1