macOS
Homebrewverified · 100%
brew install pdnsreclocal Homebrew formula metadata
MacPortsverified · 94%
sudo port install pdns-recursorMacPorts ports tree · net/pdns-recursor/Portfile · source: api.github.com
brew / rank 5452
Install pdnsrec with Homebrew, apk, apt, dnf, MacPorts, Nix, zypper, pacman
Non-authoritative/recursing DNS server. Version 5.4.9 via Homebrew; verified 2026-10-26. Also installable with macports: sudo port install pdns-recursor.
install
Additional install commands
Linux
Alpine Linux apkverified · 92%
sudo apk add pdns-recursorAlpine Linux edge package indexes · pdns-recursor · source: dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org
Debian aptverified · 92%
sudo apt install pdns-recursorDebian stable package indexes · pdns-recursor · source: deb.debian.org
Fedora dnfverified · 92%
sudo dnf install pdns-recursorFedora Rawhide package metadata · pdns-recursor · source: dl.fedoraproject.org
Nixverified · 92%
nix profile install nixpkgs#pdns-recursornixpkgs package indexes · pkgs/by-name/pd/pdns-recursor/package.nix · source: api.github.com
openSUSE zypperverified · 92%
sudo zypper install pdns-recursoropenSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · pdns-recursor · source: download.opensuse.org
Arch Linux pacmanverified · 92%
sudo pacman -S powerdns-recursorArch Linux sync databases · powerdns-recursor · source: geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com
overview
Package summary
Non-authoritative/recursing DNS server
Project links
Commands and aliases
- pdns_recursor
- rec_control
history
Project history and usage
PowerDNS Recursor is the recursive, caching DNS resolver in the PowerDNS project family.
Project history
PowerDNS first concentrated on authoritative DNS. Its official history records the later launch of PowerDNS Recursor as a separate non-authoritative resolving server.
The project developed into a high-performance resolver with DNSSEC validation, scripting and policy facilities, caching, spoofing defenses, and support for high-concurrency operating-system interfaces.
Adoption history
The official company history says Recursor grew into a resolver serving hundreds of millions of Internet users. Its design and feature set target ISP, broadband, mobile, and enterprise recursive-DNS deployments.
Recursor is distributed across numerous Unix package ecosystems and can be operated alone or within the larger PowerDNS family alongside Authoritative Server and dnsdist.
How it is used
Network operators run pdns_recursor to resolve client queries and use rec_control to inspect or modify the running service.
The main configuration is recursor.yml or recursor.conf in a build-time-selected configuration directory, usually /etc/powerdns. If both legacy-named files are present, documented precedence and parsing rules depend on the configuration generation.
Why package nerds care
Recursor is one of the major independently packaged validating resolver implementations, giving operators a distinct alternative to BIND, Unbound, and Knot Resolver.
Its transition from traditional key-value configuration to YAML is especially relevant to maintainers and administrators: recent releases recognize recursor.yml and YAML-formatted recursor.conf while retaining explicitly controlled compatibility with the older syntax.
Timeline
- 1999: Development of the broader PowerDNS project began.
- 2002: PowerDNS became open source.
- After the Authoritative Server: PowerDNS launched Recursor as its recursive-resolution product.
- 5.x era: Recursor introduced and progressively adopted YAML configuration.
Related projects
- PowerDNS Authoritative Server serves zones for which it is authoritative; Recursor instead follows DNS delegations and caches answers for clients. dnsdist can distribute or filter traffic in front of DNS servers.
Sources
security posture
Risk level: blue
broad file, network, media, or database tool signal.
Risk classifier
blue risk · medium confidence · tool
Why
- broad file, network, media, or database tool signal
Signals
- text:server
Install behavior
- No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
- Homebrew bottle metadata is available for 5 platform targets.
- Installs with 3 runtime dependencies.
- Build metadata lists 2 build dependencies.
Recommended review
Before unattended agent use, check whether the tool reads plaintext credentials, writes remote state, publishes artifacts, or shells out to plugins.
local files
Configuration and credential file locations
These source-backed paths show where this package keeps local settings or durable credentials. Automic Vault can use them as review targets for secret scanning, migration, and command approval.
Configuration files
Config paths the tool may read or write during local use.
- Unix
recursor.ymlrecursor.conf
executables
Installed executables
| Command | Kind | Exposure | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
pdns_recursor | cli | global executable | |
rec_control | cli | global executable |
freshness
Version and freshness
These signals separate page generation age, package-manager activity, and upstream release comparison. Version lag is warned only when an evidence URL and comparable versions are present.
page generated2026-11-04
manager version5.4.9
manager updated2026-10-26
local dataok
upstreamnot checked
latest detectednot detected
https://www.powerdns.com/powerdns-recursor
- infoRelease/tag comparison is only available for GitHub repositories.https://www.powerdns.com/powerdns-recursornone confidence
install metadata
Package metadata
| Package key | brew:pdnsrec |
|---|---|
| Version | 5.4.9 |
| Package manager | Homebrew |
| Package manager page | https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/pdnsrec |
| Homepage | https://www.powerdns.com/powerdns-recursor |
| Upstream docs | https://www.powerdns.com/powerdns-recursor |
| License | GPL-2.0-only |
| Source archive | https://downloads.powerdns.com/releases/pdns-recursor-5.4.9.tar.xz |
| Last updated | 2026-10-26T12:04:00Z |
| Pulse | updated |
| Dependencies | boost, lua, openssl@4 |
| Build dependencies | pkgconf, rust |
| Uses from macOS | curl |
| Bottle | available (on arm64_golden_gate, arm64_linux, arm64_sequoia, arm64_tahoe, x86_64_linux) |
| Homebrew post-install | not defined |
| Service | none declared |
registry facts
Source database details
| Source Database | Homebrew formula API |
|---|---|
| Tap | homebrew/core |
| Full Name | pdnsrec |
| Version Scheme | 0 |
| Revision | 0 |
| Bottle Stable Root URL | https://ghcr.io/v2/homebrew/core |
| Deprecated | no |
| Disabled | no |
| Keg Only | no |
| URL Keys |
|
source database matches
Other package-manager records
Matches are pulled from external package-manager indexes and kept separate from local Automic Vault package links.
MacPorts94%
pdns-recursor
sudo port install pdns-recursor- installed executable or alias match
- Matched by: Pdns Recursor
Debian apt92%
pdns-recursor 5.2.11-0+deb13u1
PowerDNS Recursor
sudo apt install pdns-recursor- Section: net
- Architecture: amd64
- 16 dependencies
- installed executable or alias match
- Matched by: Pdns Recursor
Nix92%
pdns-recursor
nix profile install nixpkgs#pdns-recursor- installed executable or alias match
- Matched by: Pdns Recursor
Ubuntu apt92%
pdns-recursor 4.9.3-1build3
PowerDNS Recursor
sudo apt install pdns-recursor- Section: universe/net
- Architecture: amd64
- 17 dependencies
- installed executable or alias match
- Matched by: Pdns Recursor
apk92%
pdns-recursor 5.4.5-r0
PowerDNS Recursive Server
sudo apk add pdns-recursor- License: GPL-2.0-only WITH OpenSSL-Exception
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: pdns-recursor
- 1 dependencies
- 1 provides
- installed executable or alias match
- Matched by: Pdns Recursor
apk92%
pdns-recursor-common 5.4.5-r0
pdns-recursor common files
sudo apk add pdns-recursor-common- License: GPL-2.0-only WITH OpenSSL-Exception
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: pdns-recursor
- 1 dependencies
- installed executable or alias match
- Matched by: Pdns Recursor
apk92%
pdns-recursor-doc 5.4.5-r0
PowerDNS Recursive Server (documentation)
sudo apk add pdns-recursor-doc- License: GPL-2.0-only WITH OpenSSL-Exception
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: pdns-recursor
- installed executable or alias match
- Matched by: Pdns Recursor
apk92%
pdns-recursor-luajit 5.4.5-r0
pdns-recursor with luajit bindings
sudo apk add pdns-recursor-luajit- License: GPL-2.0-only WITH OpenSSL-Exception
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: pdns-recursor
- 1 dependencies
- 1 provides
- installed executable or alias match
- Matched by: Pdns Recursor
apk92%
pdns-recursor-openrc 5.4.5-r0
PowerDNS Recursive Server (OpenRC init scripts)
sudo apk add pdns-recursor-openrc- License: GPL-2.0-only WITH OpenSSL-Exception
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: pdns-recursor
- installed executable or alias match
- Matched by: Pdns Recursor
dnf92%
pdns-recursor 5.4.5-2.fc45
Modern, advanced and high performance recursing/non authoritative name server
sudo dnf install pdns-recursor- License: GPL-2.0-only
- Category: Unspecified
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: pdns-recursor
- 20 dependencies
- 5 provides
- installed executable or alias match
- Matched by: Pdns Recursor
pacman92%
powerdns-recursor 5.4.5-2
Resolving DNS server
sudo pacman -S powerdns-recursor- License: GPL-2.0-only
- Architecture: x86_64
- 14 dependencies
- 1 provides
- installed executable or alias match
- Matched by: Pdns Recursor
zypper92%
pdns-recursor 5.2.5-2.9
Modern, advanced and high performance recursing/non authoritative nameserver
sudo zypper install pdns-recursor- License: GPL-2.0-or-later
- Category: Productivity/Networking/DNS/Servers
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: pdns-recursor
- 20 dependencies
- 3 provides
- installed executable or alias match
- Matched by: Pdns Recursor
source trail
Generated from repository data
This page is generated by av-web from the private package SQLite artifact built by scripts/generate-pkg-sqlite.py.
Combined YAML source
View the package source record on GitHub.
Used sources
- Geiger risk classifier
- cross-ecosystem install command graph
- curated configuration and credential file locations
- curated package history
- external package-manager database matches
- package relationship graph
- package version freshness
- package-page enrichment
- pkg.so package database
- pkgdb category and tag curation