# NSD

> free DNS server software

**Wikidata**: [Q1163957](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1163957)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSD)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nsd

## Summary
NSD is a free DNS server software developed by NLnet Labs, designed to run on Unix-like operating systems. It is distributed under the 3-clause BSD License, allowing users to freely run, study, modify, and distribute it. NSD is known for its stability and performance, with the latest stable version being 4.3.7 (as of 2021).

## Key Facts
- **Use**: Primarily serves as a name server.
- **License**: Distributed under the 3-clause BSD License.
- **Latest stable version**: 4.3.7 (released on 2021-07-22).
- **Platform**: Runs on Unix-like operating systems.
- **Developer**: NLnet Labs.
- **Aliases**: Name server daemon, NLnet Labs Name Server Daemon.
- **Programming language**: Written in C (as per OpenHub data).
- **Copyright status**: Copyrighted.
- **Source code repository**: Hosted on GitHub (migrated from 2019).

## FAQs
### Q: What is NSD used for?
A: NSD is a DNS server software used to resolve domain names into IP addresses, providing a critical service for internet connectivity. It is designed for stability and performance, making it suitable for both small and large-scale deployments.

### Q: Is NSD free to use?
A: Yes, NSD is free software distributed under the 3-clause BSD License, allowing users to freely run, study, modify, and distribute it.

### Q: What operating systems does NSD support?
A: NSD runs on Unix-like operating systems, including Linux, BSD, and macOS.

### Q: Who developed NSD?
A: NSD was developed by NLnet Labs, a Dutch nonprofit organization focused on internet infrastructure.

### Q: How do I install NSD?
A: NSD is available as a package for various Unix-like operating systems, including Debian, Arch Linux, FreeBSD, and macOS via Homebrew. Installation instructions can be found on the official documentation page.

## Why It Matters
NSD plays a crucial role in the DNS infrastructure, ensuring reliable domain name resolution. Its open-source nature allows for community-driven development and customization, making it a flexible choice for organizations and individuals. The software's stability and performance make it a preferred option for many DNS administrators. By providing a robust and secure DNS service, NSD contributes to the overall stability and functionality of the internet. Its development by NLnet Labs, a nonprofit focused on internet infrastructure, ensures that the software remains accessible and well-maintained.

## Notable For
- **Stability**: Known for its reliability and performance, making it a trusted choice for DNS services.
- **Open-source**: Distributed under the 3-clause BSD License, allowing for community-driven development and customization.
- **Cross-platform**: Runs on Unix-like operating systems, including Linux, BSD, and macOS.
- **Community support**: Maintained by NLnet Labs, a nonprofit organization dedicated to internet infrastructure.
- **Active development**: Regular updates and releases, with the latest stable version being 4.3.7 (2021).

## Body
### Overview
NSD is a free DNS server software developed by NLnet Labs. It is designed to run on Unix-like operating systems and is distributed under the 3-clause BSD License. The software is known for its stability and performance, making it a popular choice for DNS services.

### Development and Release
- **Developer**: NLnet Labs, a Dutch nonprofit organization.
- **Source code**: Hosted on GitHub (migrated from the previous repository in 2019).
- **Latest stable version**: 4.3.7 (released on 2021-07-22).
- **Previous versions**: Includes 4.2.4 (2019-12-10), 4.1.27 (2019-03-25), and 1.1.1 (2017-06-13).

### Features and Usage
- **Use**: Primarily serves as a name server, resolving domain names into IP addresses.
- **Platform**: Runs on Unix-like operating systems, including Linux, BSD, and macOS.
- **Aliases**: Also known as the Name Server Daemon or NLnet Labs Name Server Daemon.
- **Programming language**: Written in C (as per OpenHub data).

### Licensing and Availability
- **License**: 3-clause BSD License, allowing free use, modification, and distribution.
- **Copyright status**: Copyrighted.
- **Availability**: Available as a package for various Unix-like operating systems, including Debian, Arch Linux, FreeBSD, and macOS via Homebrew.

### Documentation and Support
- **User manual**: Available on the official documentation page.
- **Wikipedia**: Has articles in multiple languages, including English, German, and Spanish.
- **Community support**: Maintained by NLnet Labs, with regular updates and releases.

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/NLnetLabs/nsd/blob/master/LICENSE)
2. [Source](https://openhub.net/p/nsd)
3. [Source](https://www.nlnetlabs.nl/projects/nsd/)
4. [Release 1.1.1. 2017](https://github.com/NLnetLabs/nsd/releases/tag/NSD_1_1_1)
5. [NSD 4.1.26 released. 2018](https://open.nlnetlabs.nl/pipermail/nsd-users/2018-December/002636.html)
6. [NSD 4.1.26 released. 2018](https://www.nlnetlabs.nl/news/2018/Dec/04/nsd-4.1.26-released/)
7. [NSD 4.1.27 released. 2019](https://www.nlnetlabs.nl/news/2019/Mar/25/nsd-4.1.27-released/)
8. [NSD 4.1.25 released. 2018](https://www.nlnetlabs.nl/news/2018/Sep/25/nsd-4.1.25-released/)
9. [NSD 4.2.2 released. 2019](https://nlnetlabs.nl/news/2019/Aug/19/nsd-4.2.2-released/)
10. [Release 4.2.4. 2019](https://github.com/NLnetLabs/nsd/releases/tag/NSD_4_2_4_REL)
11. [NSD 4.3.5 released. 2021](https://lists.nlnetlabs.nl/pipermail/nsd-users/2021-January/002942.html)
12. [NSD 4.3.6 released](https://lists.nlnetlabs.nl/pipermail/nsd-users/2021-April/002981.html)
13. [Release 4.3.7. 2021](https://github.com/NLnetLabs/nsd/releases/tag/NSD_4_3_7_REL)
14. [Release 4.3.8. 2021](https://github.com/NLnetLabs/nsd/releases/tag/NSD_4_3_8_REL)
15. [Release 4.4.0. 2022](https://github.com/NLnetLabs/nsd/releases/tag/NSD_4_4_0_REL)
16. [Release 4.5.0. 2022](https://github.com/NLnetLabs/nsd/releases/tag/NSD_4_5_0_REL)
17. [Release 4.6.0. 2022](https://github.com/NLnetLabs/nsd/releases/tag/NSD_4_6_0_REL)
18. [Release 4.6.1. 2022](https://github.com/NLnetLabs/nsd/releases/tag/NSD_4_6_1_REL)
19. [Release 4.7.0. 2023](https://github.com/NLnetLabs/nsd/releases/tag/NSD_4_7_0_REL)
20. [Release 4.8.0. 2023](https://github.com/NLnetLabs/nsd/releases/tag/NSD_4_8_0_REL)
21. [Release 4.9.0. 2024](https://github.com/NLnetLabs/nsd/releases/tag/NSD_4_9_0_REL)
22. [Release 4.9.1. 2024](https://github.com/NLnetLabs/nsd/releases/tag/NSD_4_9_1_REL)
23. [Release 4.10.0. 2024](https://github.com/NLnetLabs/nsd/releases/tag/NSD_4_10_0_REL)
24. [Release 4.10.1. 2024](https://github.com/NLnetLabs/nsd/releases/tag/NSD_4_10_1_REL)
25. [Release 4.11.0. 2024](https://github.com/NLnetLabs/nsd/releases/tag/NSD_4_11_0_REL)
26. [Release 4.12.0. 2025](https://github.com/NLnetLabs/nsd/releases/tag/NSD_4_12_0_REL)
27. [Release 4.13.0. 2025](https://github.com/NLnetLabs/nsd/releases/tag/NSD_4_13_0_REL)
28. [Release 4.14.0. 2025](https://github.com/NLnetLabs/nsd/releases/tag/NSD_4_14_0_REL)
29. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
30. [NSD and Unbound repositories moving to GitHub on 1 May 2019. 2019](https://www.nlnetlabs.nl/news/2019/Apr/19/nsd-and-unbound-repositories-moving-to-github-on-1-may-2019/)