Incognito Software takes the BIND out of DNS management with debut its DNS Commander 3.1, could cure 90 percent of DNS servers running vulnerable BIND software.

by ISP-Planet Staff [April 9, 2001]

Incognito Software released its DNS Commander 3.1 late last week. Designed to with security in mind, the software also performs scaling functions and provides multi-platform DNS solutions that do not suffer from BIND-related security vulnerabilities.

DNS security bind
According to the CERT's Centre for Internet security expertise, as many as 90 percent of DNS servers running BIND contain at least one of a dozen known vulnerabilities. Using open-source BIND software could compromise an ISPs entire online presence, threatening the security of e-commerce transactions, privileged information, and leaving providers susceptible to denial-of-service (DoS) attacks that have disabled high-profile Web sites like Yahoo!, eBay and Microsoft.

DNS Commander 3.1 is RFC-compliant and interoperates with BIND, allowing for the rapid deployment of DNS Commander into an existing network, regardless of size or complexity. Once up and running, DNS Commander provides tools for simplified administration, offering a Web-based interface for remote management, improved wizards and auditing tools to ensure data integrity, and enhanced network efficiency.

Ian McCutcheon Crystal Decisions—formerly Seagate Software—senior network analyst, said its "DNS server is the company's gateway to the Internet. That's why we decided to switch our primary DNS to Incognito's DNS Commander."

McCutcheon added that DNS Commander paid for itself within one week, thanks to its ability to automate tasks.

"With our recent name change, all I had to do was right click on our old name 'SeagateSoftware.com' and copy all the zone records before I created the 'CrystalDecisions.net' domain," McCutcheon explained. "All the relevant information was applied to my new domain with one simple click."

Applicable features
While traditional name servers require time consuming editing of complex host tables, DNS Commander simplifies the process with features such as wizards, templates, and diagnostic tools to ensure both data integrity and domain-level security.

DNS Commander 3.1 includes a number of features designed for simplified administration functions and improved network security:

• Web interface: Allows remote management of all components of DNS Commander services through a secure Web browser.
• Synchronize servers wizard: Create secondary name servers from a primary with a click of the button.
• Domain templates: Ensures data integrity and minimizes time required to create new domains.
• DNS import wizard - Import Microsoft and BIND DNS data to secure DNS Commander environment in minutes.
• GUI: Allows for easy domain and resource record creation and ensures data integrity throughout the domain.
• Command line interfaces: Reduces administration time by automating common tasks, such as creating new domains and resource records.
• Domain and resource record-level security: Configures access rights to control who can manage specific domains and resource records.

Patricia Steadman, Incognito Software chief executive officer, said DNS Commander is the most secure DNS product on the market.

"Although security remains a salient benefit of using Incognito's products, I believe DNS Commander's continued success stems from its ability to make complex network administration tasks simple," Steadman said.

Availability and pricing
DNS Commander 3.1 pricing is based on the number of nodes in the users network. Current list price starts at $499 for servicing network 250 nodes; DNS Commander 3.1 is available for shipment today.

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