Once you have decided on which server will be your DNS Server you need to
install the service. You can either use Add Programs or Configure Your Server
applet to install the service.
Installation is quite easy. Once you have the service installed and have
restarted your computer you will need to configure it.
Open the service
applet, the fist thing you need to do is add a server to the service, normally
you would add the server you are working with.
Next you will need to create a 'Zone' for your DNS records to reside in.
Right click on the server, select 'Configure a DNS Server' a wizard will open,
click next, select 'Create a forward lookup zone (recommended for small
networks...). Click next, leave radio button at 'This server maintains the
zone', click next.
Enter the zone name, this will be the Domain Name! If you use some arbitrary
name you will have problems resolving your Domain name suffix! Click next.
On the Dynamic Update page you do not need to change the default UNLESS you have
legacy computers on your network! Click next.
On the Forwarders page select 'No, it should not forward queries. Unless you
plan on having redundant DNS servers you do not need to forward queries.
The wizard will look for the 'Root Hints' that was installed when you installed
the service. Then you get the finish page.
Now all we need to do is configure the records.
If you have selected Dynamic updates the only records you will need to create
are non standard records. That is services that require a DNS record such as the
WINS service, a Web site, or an E-Mail server.
To create a record click on the 'Forward Lookup Zones, then right click on
the domain name, in the menu select the required function.
To add a computer that is a legacy OS (such as NT, Win98, or other device
like a printer) select 'New Host', put in the name of the device and the IP.
(Hint, you can try to resolve the IP by clicking on the 'Resolve' button, the
service will try to find the IP of the device, this may not work if the DNS
service is new).
To add a web site use the 'Alias (CNAME)' selection.
In the right window of the DNS properties under 'Type' you will see a 'Name
Server (NS)'. Open the properties and go to the WINS tab. Click on the box 'Use
WINS forward lookup' then add the address of your WINS service server. You need
to do this before installing the WINS Service.
There are more functions the DNS service can provide but are beyond the scope of
this document.
I will how ever point out that you will need to back up your DNS service on a
constant basis, I would suggest you back it to another server or tape.
Build a Server Guide
