It looks like nta-recheck (7s) in the system test is too small for this system. Note the time stamp in ns4/named.secroots is already past 14:48:26.000 which is when badds.example/_default expires. I:checking positive and negative validation with negative trust anchors (123) I:ns4 Negative trust anchor added: bogus.example/_default, expires 24-Oct-2017 04:48:36.000 I:ns4 Negative trust anchor added: badds.example/_default, expires 24-Oct-2017 04:48:26.000 I:ns4 Negative trust anchor added: secure.example/_default, expires 24-Oct-2017 04:48:32.000 I:ns4 Negative trust anchor added: fakenode.secure.example/_default, expires 24-Oct-2017 04:48:32.000 server reload successful I: dumping secroots I:failed - with NTA's in place failed I: waiting for NTA rechecks/expirations I:failed - checking that default nta's were lifted due to recheck I:failed - checking that default nta's were lifted due to lifetime more ns4/named.secroots secure roots as of 24-Oct-2017 04:48:26.412: Start view _default Secure roots: ./RSAMD5/48623 ; trusted Negative trust anchors: bogus.example: expiry 24-Oct-2017 04:48:36.000 secure.example: expiry 24-Oct-2017 04:48:32.000 fakenode.secure.example: expiry 24-Oct-2017 04:48:32.000