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Subject: Re: BIND 8.1.1
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> > How many (any?) new users will chose Linux/BSDi/Solaris or whatever else
> > is now running 8.1.1 by default ? 
> 
> Only those who don't do their homework.  There is no need for 8.1.1 for
> *anyone*,

There may not be much need for 8.1.1 for new users with a reasonably
standard configuration. There's certainly a need for 8.1.1 features in
many other, more complex configurations. For instance, the ability to
only listen to *some* interface addresses is important to many ISPs.

> and since it will be changing, it'll be *more* work for them
> to upgrade to the next version when it comes up since it will also
> contain new changes, while if they stick with 4.9.6 (or if new bugs are
> found, 4.9.7, or whatever) until BIND 8 'stabilizes', the upgrade will
> only require *one* big change, rather than possibly lots of changes as
> BIND 8 is modified.

I think you have this wrong. BIND 8 is already sufficiently stable that
it runs on several root name servers ({a,c,f,g,i,}.root-servers.net),
and in my own "back yard", it is used for one of the authoritative name
servers for the 'no' (Norway) domain. We plan to switch one more of the
'no' name servers to 8.1.1 soon.

The biggest change is the named.boot -> named.conf change from 4.9.x to
8.1.1.

> I'm sure Paul Vixie doesn't want the same thing to happen with BIND that
> happened with sendmail, so that the sendmail.cf file changed on a
> regular basis, and that a new version was required every week.  I'll bet
> he wants to get all of the little 'niggly details' shaken out of BIND 8
> before calling it *the* new standard, so that's why he's still
> maintaining Bind 4.9.X for folks.

AFAIK Paul Vixie/ISC are *not* maintaining 4.9.x in any way except
possibly for important security fixes. Paul Vixie has stated publicly
that 4.9.6 is the last release in the 4.9.x series.

> Now, that's not to say that he's unwilling to have you test BIND 8
> (cause how else will all the 'niggly details' get shaken out if people
> don't test it), but it's certainly not required to have a secure system.

BIND 8 is not required for security reasons, but may be required for
*other* reasons.

Steinar Haug, Nethelp consulting, sthaug@nethelp.no