unbound/libunbound/python/doc/intro.rst

   1 Introduction
   2 ===================================
   3
   4 **Unbound**
   5
   6         `Unbound`_  is  an implementation of a DNS resolver, that performs caching and DNSSEC validation.
   7         Together with unbound, the libunbound library is provided.
   8         This library can be used to convert hostnames to ip addresses, and back, as well as obtain other information.
   9         Since the resolver allows to specify the class and type of a query (A record, NS, MX, ...), this library offers powerful resolving tool.
  10         The library also performs public-key validation of results with DNSSEC.
  11
  12         .. _Unbound: http://www.unbound.net/documentation
  13
  14 **pyUnbound**
  15
  16         The pyUnbound is an extension module for Python which provides an object-oriented interface to libunbound.
  17         It is the first Python module which offers thread-safe caching resolver.
  18
  19         The interface was designed with the emphasis on the simplicity of use.
  20         There are two main classes :class:`unbound.ub_ctx` (a validation and resolution context) and :class:`unbound.ub_result` which contains the validation and resolution results.
  21         The objects are thread-safe, and a context can be used in non-threaded as well as threaded environment.
  22         Resolution can be performed blocking and non-blocking (i.e. asynchronous).
  23         The asynchronous method returns from the call immediately, so that processing can go on, while the results become available later.
  24
  25 **Features**
  26         * customizable caching validation resolver for synchronous and asynchronous lookups
  27         * easy to use object interface
  28         * easy to integrate extension module
  29         * designed for thread environment (i.e. thread-safe)
  30         * allows define and customize of local zone and its RR's during the operation (i.e. without restart)
  31         * includes encoding functions to simplify the results retrieval
  32         * Internationalized domain name (`IDN`_) support
  33
  34         .. _IDN: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internationalized_domain_name
  35
  36 **Application area**
  37         * DNS-based applications performing DNS lookups; the caching resolver can reduce overhead
  38         * Applications where the validation of DNS records is required
  39         * Great solution for customizable and dynamic DNS-based white/blacklists (spam rejection, connection rejection, ...) using the dynamic local zone manipulation