New in Simple DNS Plus (v. 7.0)

New features in v. 7.0:

New HTTP API (v. 2)

Redesigned with the following enhancements:

  • REST based (URL design, HTTP methods, etc.)
  • JSON format for all data (no more XML)
  • Retrieve and update zone configuration data (not just records) including zone type (primary/secondary), primary server IP address, default-TTL, zone transfer key, zone transfer permissions, dynamic update permissions, also-notify list.
  • Retrieve zone status information (serial number, refresh time).
  • Retrieve and update IP Address Blocking configuration (auto block settings, blocked / trusted lists).
  • List, add, remove, update plug-in instances.
  • Update individual Options (from Options dialog) separately through PATCH.
  • Enhanced updatehost shortcut method to easily create/update/delete host records - now accepts multiple IPv4/IPv6 addresses in a single request.

Explore the new HTTP API at https://simpledns.plus/swagger-ui

The original HTTP API (v. 1) is still included in this version of Simple DNS Plus. It is however deprecated, it will no longer be updated, and it will be removed in a future version.

HTTP API - CORS support

CORS allows a web-page running in a browser to access resources hosted on a different web-site (diffent host name / port).

Enabling this new option, allows you to access the Simple DNS Plus HTTP API with javascript on a web-page.

This enables some new possible uses of the HTTP API - such as building a HTTP based admin UI.

HTTP API - SSL support

The HTTP API can now be served securely via SSL (https://...).

For details on how to associate an SSL certificate with the HTTP API URL, click here.

HTTP API - debugging log files

New option to write full headers and payload of each HTTP API request to an individual log file. Use this to see the exact details of HTTP API client requests, for debugging purposes.

WARNING: This can quickly add up to a lot of log files and data. Make sure to only enable this when needed.

Options dialog / Logging / Log files section / "Write HTTP API debugging log files (one file per HTTP request)":

New zone account-ID setting

To track the domain name owner or similar.

This is primarily intended for use with the new HTTP API - allowing you to filter the zone list by account (GET /zones?account=xxx)

Import zones from a Simple DNS Plus v. 6.0 / 7.x database file

In the Import Wizard (DNS Records window / File menu / Import...), when you select "Import a set of zones listed in a DNS server boot/configuration file", there is a new file format option "Simple DNS Plus v. 6.0 / 7.x 'sdnsplus.db' file".

This can be used to import zones from another Simple DNS Plus instance or backup.

Enhanced auto IP address blocking

Instead of a maximum number of requests within a single second, it is now possible to specify a longer period. This allows for "spikes" while still blocking sustained high request rates.

And it is now possible to only block excess requests (rate limiting).

Miscellaneous

  • Plug-in export/import function in GUI (via clipboard) is now in JSON format instead of XML.
  • Included "named.root" file (a.k.a. "root hints file") updated to v. 2018041201.
  • Various internal configuration settings in the "sdnsplus.db" database now in JSON format instead of XML (matching new HTTP API).
  • Comments on blocked IP addresses (IP address blocking dialog) now show up in the log when a request is blocked.

Retired

  • Retired The HTTP API "Accept HTTP connections from" setting (IP address list).
    Typically a Windows Firewall entry is required to enable remote access to the HTTP API anyway, and so client IP address restrictions can be configured there.
    When upgrading from an older version where this setting was used, the HTTP API is automatically disabled to prevent abuse (can be re-enabled in the Options dialog).
  • Retired the "Prefer IPv6 DNS servers when resolving non-local domain names" option (Options dialog / DNS / Outbound Requests). This is now permanently on when outbound requests via IPv6 is enabled.
 Comments
Gravatar
21 May 2018 09:14 UTC
DigiWorks
When can we expect automatic DNSSEC zone signing? We still renew dnssec zones manually. This is not doable with many domains.
JH Software
22 May 2018 07:02 UTC
JH Software
That is something we are working on, but we do not have a time frame yet.
JH Software
2 Jul 2018 19:43 UTC
JH Software
We have just released v. 8.0 which supports this.
See https://simpledns.com/kb/164
Gravatar
28 May 2018 06:59 UTC
Johan
+1 for dnssec.
Or at least dnssec via API!
JH Software
2 Jul 2018 19:44 UTC
JH Software
We have just released v. 8.0 which supports this.
See https://simpledns.com/kb/164
Gravatar
22 Jun 2018 00:25 UTC
Mehmet Delen
Enhanced auto IP address blocking

You are typing blocked IP addresses into a text file.
If attacks take a long time, there are thousands of IP addresses.
In this case, simpleDNS is slowing down excessively.
When you receive a list of IP addresses that are blocked at once, the last ...
JH Software
30 Jun 2018 09:01 UTC
JH Software
Did you try the new rate limiting option?
This does not save anything to disk - it keeps this in memory only.
Gravatar
1 Jul 2018 23:18 UTC
Mehmet Delen
Do not blame me for writing a late reply.
The same holds true for memory retention, this time you will expand RAM.
I use 5.2 - 135.
We have not passed version 7.0 due to restrictions in our budget.
I think there is no "HTTP API for creating a new zone" in version 5.2.
If you want to examine the server, I can send admin credentials of the server. :)
JH Software
2 Jul 2018 15:51 UTC
JH Software
>> The same holds true for memory retention, this time you will expand RAM.
That is correct, but it should still be a lot faster than writing to disk.

>> I think there is no "HTTP API for creating a new zone" in version 5.2.
There is - the "updatezone" command can be used to create a new zone or update an existing zone.
Gravatar
1 Jul 2018 02:15 UTC
Lkenetadmin
Is the HTTP API for creating a new zone is not working? Or can you give me a sample curl request for creating a new zone.
JH Software
2 Jul 2018 15:46 UTC
JH Software
There was a bug with this. Thanks for letting us know.
We have just published v. 7.0 build 104 to fix this - see https://simpledns.com/relnotes-7-0
The updated build is now available at https://simpledns.com/download
The CURL command is:
curl -X PUT "http://127.0.0.1:8053/zones/example.com" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d "{}"
Gravatar
3 Jul 2018 00:04 UTC
Lkenetadmin
Thank you JH Software. We will take note of this.
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