I understand "cache-only" or "caching-only" DNS server as being, strictly 
speaking, one which loads *no* authoritative data. Typically, this is a 
resolver which populates its cache by initially priming with some "root hints" 
configuration, and then walking down the namespace hierarchy via iterative 
queries for everything else, but I suppose, arguably, a forwarder could also 
qualify as a "cache-only" or "caching-only" DNS server too. Sometimes I've 
heard the term -- despite being absolute -- being bent to include nameservers 
which only load a *minimal*, "convenience" set of authoritative zones, e.g. for 
"localhost", "1.0.0.127.in-addr.arpa", zones of that nature, each of which are 
usually intended to provide resolution for a single, non-globally-unique name. 

A "stub zone" is one in which the source of zone information -- typically in 
the form of IP addresses from which to fetch the data -- is defined statically 
within the nameserver configuration, but *not* involving full replication of 
the zone *or* recursive resolution towards that source, hence distinguishing it 
from being a slave for the zone, or engaging in any form of "forwarding", 
respectively. Because there is no full replication, whatever contents of the 
zone exist on the instance configured as a "stub" for it, are not considered 
"authoritative" and the instance does not respond authoritatively for the zone.

                                                                                
        - Kevin

-----Original Message-----
From: DNSOP [mailto:dnsop-boun...@ietf.org] On Behalf Of Paul Hoffman
Sent: Tuesday, February 24, 2015 1:53 PM
To: Declan Ma
Cc: IETF DNSOP WG
Subject: Re: [DNSOP] New version of the DNS terminology draft

On Jan 20, 2015, at 7:56 AM, Declan Ma <m...@zdns.cn> wrote:
> As for 'DNS Servers', I think we should set aside space for 'Cache-only DNS 
> Server' which is pervasive in all kinds of DNS document. 

Can you clarify what you think a "cache-only DNS server" is? I'm not seeing how 
a server can be cache-only without it also doing recursive queries.

> And as in 'Zones', you mentioned 'Origin'. So, I suggest adding a paragraph 
> to describe 'Default TTL', which is represented as $TTL in zone file.

We can add that.

> Still, 'Stub Zone' is yet another common expression in DNS context. We may 
> put it into this document. 

I don't find "stub zone" mentioned in any RFC, so I can't really imagine what 
that is. Please clarify.

--Paul Hoffman
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