IXPLORE(1) PowerDNS Authoritative Server IXPLORE(1)

# [NAME](#NAME)

ixplore - A tool that provides insights into IXFRs

# [SYNOPSIS](#SYNOPSIS)

**ixplore** *COMMAND* *COMMAND\_OPT*...

**ixplore** diff *ZONE* *BEFORE* *AFTER*

**ixplore** track *IP ADDRESS* *PORT* *ZONE* *DIRECTORY*

# [DESCRIPTION](#DESCRIPTION)

**ixplore** is a tool to work with IXFR (incremental zonetransfers) in two modes (specified by *COMMAND*): diff or track.

In the 'diff' mode, it will show a [diff(1)](/man/enterprise-packages/pdns-5.4/diff.1)-like output between *BEFORE* and *AFTER*.

In the 'track' mode, **ixplore** consumes IXFRs from *IP ADDRESS* and writes the resulting zonefiles out to *DIRECTORY*/*ZONE*-serial. If no initial zonefiles exist, an initial AXFR will be done first. **ixplore** will then check the SOA serial on *IP ADDRESS* for *ZONE* every SOA Refresh seconds and perform an IXFR if the serial has increased.

# [OPTIONS](#OPTIONS)

# [DIFF-MODE](#DIFF-MODE)

[**ZONE**](#ZONE)

The name of the zone from which the IXFRs are consumed.

[**BEFORE**](#BEFORE)

Path to the 'before' zonefile.

[**AFTER**](#AFTER)

Path to the 'after' zonefile.

# [TRACK-MODE](#TRACK-MODE)

[**IP ADDRESS**](#IP)

The IP address to consume IXFRs from.

[**PORT**](#PORT)

The port to use on *IP ADDRESS*.

[**ZONE**](#ZONE~2)

Name of the zone to track changes of.

[**DIRECTORY**](#DIRECTORY)

Directory where the zonefiles will be stored.

# [SEE ALSO](#SEE_ALSO)

[diff(1)](/man/enterprise-packages/pdns-5.4/diff.1)

# [AUTHOR](#AUTHOR)

PowerDNS.COM BV

# [COPYRIGHT](#COPYRIGHT)

PowerDNS.COM BV

October 14, 2026

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Document: ixplore(1) from pdns-5.4 5.4.7-r3 (Chainguard OS)
Source: https://github.com/PowerDNS/pdns