dnsmasq
lightweight DNS forwarder and DHCP server
TLDR
Start dnsmasq as DNS forwarder
SYNOPSIS
dnsmasq [options]
DESCRIPTION
dnsmasq is a lightweight DNS forwarder and DHCP server designed for small networks. It provides DNS caching, DHCP, TFTP, and PXE boot services in a single, efficient package.
As a DNS server, dnsmasq forwards queries to upstream servers and caches responses, reducing latency and bandwidth. It reads /etc/hosts for local name resolution and supports custom local domains. It can also provide DNS-based ad blocking.
The DHCP server provides dynamic and static address assignment with support for BOOTP, PXE, and TFTP for network booting. dnsmasq is commonly used in routers, embedded systems, and as a local development DNS/DHCP solution.
PARAMETERS
-d
Debug mode, foreground, log to stderr.-k
Keep in foreground, don't daemonize.-C file
Use specified configuration file.--test
Check configuration syntax.-p port
Listen on specified DNS port.-a address
Listen on specified address.--dhcp-range= range
Enable DHCP with address range.--dhcp-host= config
Static DHCP assignment.-h, --no-hosts
Don't read /etc/hosts.-H, --addn-hosts= file
Additional hosts file.--local= domain
Answer authoritatively for domain.--server= address
Upstream DNS server.--cache-size= n
DNS cache size (default 150).--log-queries
Log DNS queries.
CONFIGURATION
/etc/dnsmasq.conf
Main configuration file. Contains DNS and DHCP settings, upstream servers, domain configurations, and DHCP ranges./etc/hosts
Local hostname to IP mappings. Read by dnsmasq for local DNS resolution unless --no-hosts is specified./etc/dnsmasq.d/
Directory for additional configuration snippets. Files here are automatically included in the main configuration.
CAVEATS
Only one DNS/DHCP server should run on each interface. Conflicts with systemd-resolved on some systems (disable or configure to coexist). DHCP requires appropriate network permissions. Large networks may need a full-featured DHCP server.
HISTORY
dnsmasq was created by Simon Kelley in 2000 as a simple DNS forwarder for dial-up connections. It evolved to include DHCP and became popular in embedded Linux systems, routers (OpenWrt, DD-WRT), and development environments. The project remains actively maintained and is included in most Linux distributions.
SEE ALSO
named(8), dhcpd(8), systemd-resolved(8), hosts(5)