BlueCat DNS/DHCP

Last published : Sep 03, 2026
Note:
From version 14.1 build 17.x onwards, NetScaler SDX has ended support for third-party virtual machines.
BlueCat DNS/DHCP Server is a software solution supported by the NetScaler SDX appliance. It is hosted on the NetScaler SDX platform to deliver reliable, scalable, and secure DNS and DHCP core network services without incurring extra management costs or data center space. Critical DNS services can be load balanced across multiple DNS nodes within a single system or across multiple SDX appliances without the need for more hardware.
Virtual instances of BlueCat DNS/DHCP Server can be hosted on SDX to provide a smarter way to connect mobile devices, applications, virtual environments, and clouds.
To learn more about BlueCat and Citrix, visit the BlueCat website at <https://citrixready.citrix.com/bluecat-networks.html>.
If you are an existing BlueCat customer, you can download software and documentation via the BlueCat support portal at <https://care.bluecatnetworks.com/>.

Provisioning a BlueCat DNS/DHCP instance

Download an XVA image from the BlueCat Customer Care, at <https://care.bluecatnetworks.com>. After you have downloaded the XVA image, upload it to the SDX appliance before you start provisioning the instance. Make sure that you are using Management Service build 118.7 or later on the SDX appliance.
Management channel across 0/1 and 0/2 interfaces are supported on BlueCat DNS/DHCP VMs. For more information see Configuring channel from Management Service.
Note: SR-IOV interfaces (1/x and 10/x) that are part of a channel do not appear in the list of interfaces because channels are not supported on a BlueCat DNS/DHCP instance.
On the Configuration tab, navigate to BlueCat DNS/DHCP > Software Images.
To upload an XVA image to the SDX appliance:
  1. In the details pane, under XVA Files > Action, click Upload.
  2. In the dialog box that appears, click Browse, and then select the XVA file that you want to upload.
  3. Click Upload. The XVA file appears in the XVA Files pane.
To provision a BlueCat DNS/DHCP instance:
  1. On the Configuration tab, navigate to BlueCat DNS/DHCP > Instances.
  2. In the details pane, click Add. The Provision BlueCat DNS/DHCP Server page opens.
  3. In the Provision BlueCat DNS/DHCP wizard, follow the instructions on the screen.
    • Under Instance Creation, in the Name field, enter a name for the instance and select the uploaded image from the XVA File drop-down menu, then Click Next. Optionally, in the Domain Name field, enter a domain name for the instance. Note: The name must not contain spaces.
    • Under Network Settings, from the Management Interface drop-down menu, select the interface through which to manage the instance, set the IP address and gateway for that interface. You can assign interfaces explicitly for high availability and service. Select the parameters and then click Next.
      Note: When assigning interfaces for management, high availability and service, make sure you assign the interfaces based on the supported combination of interfaces:
You can select the same interface for all three. You can select a different interface for all three. You can select the same interface for management and service, but select a different interface for high availability. Click Finish, and then click Close. The instance is created, booted, and configured with the selected IP address.
After you provision the instance, log on to the instance through SSH to complete the configuration. For details about configuring the BlueCat DNS/DHCP Server or place it under the control of the BlueCat Address Manager, see the BlueCat documentation, available at <https://care.bluecatnetworks.com>.
To modify the settings of a BlueCat DNS/DHCP Server instance, from the BlueCat DNS/DHCP Instances pane, select the instance that you want to modify, and then click Modify. In the Modify BlueCat DNS/DHCP wizard, modify the parameter settings.
Note: If you modify any of the interface parameters or the name of the instance, the instance stops and restarts to put the changes into effect.

Monitor a BlueCat DNS/DHCP instance

The SDX appliance collects statistics, such as the version of SDXTools running on the instance, of a BlueCat DNS/DHCP instance.
To view the statistics related to a BlueCat DNS/DHCP instance:
  1. Navigate to BlueCat DNS/DHCP > Instances.
  2. In the details pane, click the arrow next to the name of the instance.

Manage a BlueCat DNS/DHCP instance

You can start, stop, restart, force stop, or force restart a BlueCat DNS/DHCP instance from the Management Service.
On the Configuration tab, expand BlueCat DNS/DHCP.
To start, stop, restart, force stop, or force restart a BlueCat DNS/DHCP instance:
  1. Click Instances.
  2. In the details pane, select the instance on which you want to perform the operation, and then select one of the following options:
    • Start
    • Shut Down
    • Reboot
    • Force Shutdown
    • Force Reboot
  3. In the Confirm message box, click Yes.

Upgrade the SDXTools file for a BlueCat DNS/DHCP instance

SDXTools, a daemon running on the third-party instance, is used for communication between the Management Service and the third-party instance.
Upgrading SDXTools involves uploading the file to the SDX appliance, and then upgrading SDXTools after selecting an instance. You can upload an SDXTools file from a client computer to the SDX appliance.
To upload an SDXTools file:
  1. In the navigation pane, expand Management Service, and then click SDXTools Files.
  2. In the details pane, from the Action list, select Upload.
  3. In the Upload SDXTools Files dialog box, click Browse, navigate to the folder that contains the file, and then double-click the file.
  4. Click Upload.
To upgrade SDXTools:
On the Configuration tab, expand BlueCat DNS/DHCP.
  1. Click Instances.
  2. In the details pane, select an instance.
  3. From the Action list, select Upgrade SDXTools.
  4. In the Upgrade SDXTools dialog box, select a file, click OK, and then click Close.

Rediscover a BlueCat DNS/DHCP instance

You can rediscover an instance to view the latest state and configuration of an instance. During rediscovery, the Management Service fetches the configuration. By default, the Management Service schedules instances for rediscovery of all instances once every 30 minutes.
On the Configuration tab, expand BlueCat DNS/DHCP.
  1. Click Instances.
  2. In the details pane, select the instance that you want to rediscover, and from the Action list, click Rediscover.
  3. In the Confirm message box, click Yes.