# Bound NXDOMAIN and NODATA caching from SOA data > Use RFC 2308 — Negative Caching of DNS Queries (DNS NCACHE) to review this narrow operational decision without extending the source beyond its stated scope. - Canonical URL: https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/bound-nxdomain-and-nodata-caching-from-soa-data/ - Publisher: Detection Systems & Engineering (DSE Security) - Author: DSE Security Editorial Team - Published: 2026-08-27T12:17:47+00:00 - Modified: 2026-08-27T12:18:09+00:00 - Last reviewed by DSE: 2026-08-26 - Resource type: Guide - DSE priority: Advisory - Topics: Cybersecurity, Networks & Infrastructure - Reading time: 3 minutes ## What you need to know Use RFC 2308 — Negative Caching of DNS Queries (DNS NCACHE) to review this narrow operational decision without extending the source beyond its stated scope. ## Potentially affected Teams, systems, services, or facilities within the stated scope of RFC 2308 — Negative Caching of DNS Queries (DNS NCACHE) ## DSE recommendation Compare the observed state with the cited official source, document applicability and exceptions, and test any approved change with rollback safeguards. ## Article Use this document to connect an official requirement or behavior to observable evidence: Bound NXDOMAIN and NODATA caching from SOA data. Only the official source and traced locations below supply facts. Confirm applicability before acting. ## Source fact: The official [RFC 2308 — Negative Caching of DNS Queries (DNS NCACHE)](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2308.html) from RFC Editor / Internet Engineering Task Force supports the following bounded statements: - NXDOMAIN means the queried name does not exist, while NODATA is a successful response showing that the existing name lacks the requested record type. The research record locates this support at Sections 2.1 (Name Error) and 2.2 (No Data). - An authoritative NXDOMAIN or NODATA response must include the zone’s SOA record in the authority section. The research record locates this support at Section 3 (Negative Answers from Authoritative Servers). - A negative cache entry uses the smaller of the SOA.MINIMUM value and the SOA record’s TTL, and is discarded when that TTL expires. The research record locates this support at Section 5 (Caching Negative Answers). The source support ends with the statements listed above. Use them to examine authoritative zones, delegations, resolvers, caches, record owners, and the clients that consume the resulting answers in the applicable environment, not to imply a wider guarantee. ## What the source does not establish This RFC evidence supports only the named DNS protocol decision; it does not prove Windows implementation support or a safe production configuration. It does not establish a deployment’s current state, authorize a production change, prove compliance, or show that Windows DNS roles, Active Directory-integrated data, forwarding paths, time, routing, firewalls, and registrar or registry state are healthy. Documented options are review inputs, not universal mandates. ## Applicability questions - For source statement 1 at Sections 2.1 (Name Error) and 2.2 (No Data), which observable configuration, record, or test can confirm applicability here? - For source statement 2 at Section 3 (Negative Answers from Authoritative Servers), which observable configuration, record, or test can confirm applicability here? - For source statement 3 at Section 5 (Caching Negative Answers), which observable configuration, record, or test can confirm applicability here? - Within authoritative zones, delegations, resolvers, caches, record owners, and the clients that consume the resulting answers, which versions, roles, and configuration states define the review population? - Could Windows DNS roles, Active Directory-integrated data, forwarding paths, time, routing, firewalls, and registrar or registry state invalidate the test, hide a failure, or change applicability? - Who owns the decision, and which observation requires stopping, escalation, or rollback? ## DSE recommendation: DSE recommends using the cited source as the evidence anchor for this decision. Make the source, asset scope, owner, and expected outcome explicit in the review record. Record the source location, examined part of authoritative zones, delegations, resolvers, caches, record owners, and the clients that consume the resulting answers, observed and expected states, owner, and reason for deviation. An implementation decision needs an owner, approved window, prechecks, observable outcome, stop authority, and rollback path. Validate Windows DNS roles, Active Directory-integrated data, forwarding paths, time, routing, firewalls, and registrar or registry state before and after the test, and store only sanitized operational evidence. ## Verification and evidence A reviewer should be able to retrace the decision from Sections 2.1 (Name Error) and 2.2 (No Data); Section 3 (Negative Answers from Authoritative Servers); Section 5 (Caching Negative Answers) through zone data, packet captures, query transcripts, delegation checks, resolver configuration, and negative-answer behavior. Record what was collected, where, when, by whom, and which system or role it represents. Retain the starting state, authorization, execution record, outcome, deviation, and final state as one review package. Move disruptive checks to an approved test path. Reopen the decision when versions, design, dependencies, ownership, or official guidance changes. ## Official references - [RFC 2308 — Negative Caching of DNS Queries (DNS NCACHE)](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2308.html) — RFC Editor / Internet Engineering Task Force ## Primary reference - Name: RFC 2308 — Negative Caching of DNS Queries (DNS NCACHE) - Authority: www.rfc-editor.org - URL: https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2308.html - Source publication date: Not stated by the source ## Citation and use Preferred citation: “Bound NXDOMAIN and NODATA caching from SOA data,” DSE Security, https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/bound-nxdomain-and-nodata-caching-from-soa-data/ Publishing principles: https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/dse-updates-editorial-methodology/ Usage and citation policy: https://update.dsesecurity.com/usage/ Copyright © 2026 Detection Systems & Engineering. All rights reserved.