Configure DNS on a Windows 2000 Server

Materials: Working complete PC Blank Diskette Student Diskette, "New Boot A Ver 2.0+" Student CD-ROM, "Windows 2000 Server OEM" Objectives: The student will become familiar with: The Windows 2000 Server DNS MMC Snap-in, The configuration of DNS on the Server, The role of DNS in the enterprise network. Competency: The student will learn how to use the Windows 2000 Server DNS MMC snap-in to configure the DNS service. The student will learn how DNS works in the enterprise network, its role in the Microsoft Domain network architecture and its role in the Internet.

This tutorial is an integral component of the installation of a single standalone Windows 2000 Domain Controller as the first server of a new network. This series of tutorials will take the student through the process from start to finish:

• Clean Installation of Windows 2000 Advanced Server
• Installation of the DHCP, DNS and WINS Server services
• Configuration of the DNS server service (This module)
• Configuration of the DHCP server service
• Promotion of the Windows 2000 Advanced Server to a Domain Controller

After configuring DNS proceed to configure the DHCP service next. (WINS usually does not require configuration, it is up and running and functioning out of the box.)

See Installation of Windows 2000 Advanced Server for a step-by-step listing of the tutorials that will take the machine up to a standalone network infrastructure.

1. Once DNS has been installed on the server it can be configured. To begin configuration of DNS open Start > Programs > Administrative Tools > DNS:

   
   
   

   This opens the Microsoft Management Console with the DNS snap in open. After installing DNS, DHCP and WINS, we took the opportunity to rename the server which had a horrible default chosen name (a long series of random letters and numbers (See rename the server) Because of this the old name first appeared in this Window and we right clicked it and hit delete. Now we are at this screen:

   
   
   

2. We must add this computer to the DNS management system. Click the Action menu and the click on the "Connect to Computer..." menu choice:

   
   
   

3. The Connect to Computer dialog box appears with the "This Computer" radio button selected and the "Connect Now" check box selected. If it does not do this, then the DNS installation may have failed. In that case it should be removed and added again. (See Installation of DNS). Click the OK button:

   
   
   

4. Our server, SVR2, now appears in the left hand panel and the right hand window indicates that it needs to be configured. The right hand panel also indicates how this can be done:

   
   
   

5. If we follow the advice of the right hand panel we should click on the Action menu and then click on the "Configure this Server..." menu choice, like this:

   
   
   

6. This launches the "Configure DNS Server Wizard" whose first screen is a quick introduction to the process about to be undertaken:

   
   
   

7. In all of these exercises we are developing the first server of a small LAN. As such we will always be setting up the first server of the services rather than making it a subordinate to other existing servers. Those types of operations fall beyond the scope of our course and fall into the scope of the MSCE courses. In this first information gathering screen be sure that this server will ebcome the "Root" server for DNS (that it is the first DNS server of our network), then click "Next":

   
   
   

8. In the next screen of this wizard indicate that a Forward lookup zone should be built and click "Next":

   
   
   

9. In the Zone Type screen, indicate that a Standard Primary Zone should be built:

   
   
   

10. All of this is being done on PC #2 of the electronic classroom and we have named the machine SVR2. SVR2 will be in charge of a little LAN named domain2.com. This is where this name needs to be entered:

    
    
    

11. The default name for the DNS database file is offered on this screen. Accept the offer by clicking "Next" without changing it:

    
    
    

12. This screen briefly describes a Reverse Lookup Zone. It sounds very nice and after all it is free, tell it to create one:

    
    
    

13. The reverse lookup zone can be very important in that it allows systems to convert IP addresses back into the system's human given name. At times software and processes may need this feature, this is why it is being included. Again this is the central DNS server for our DNS services on this network so create a Standard Primary Reverse Lookup Zone:

    
    
    

14. The system was manually configured to use the Class "C" License 200.200.200.x and the server's IP is 200.200.200.2. As such it will ultimately be in control of the IP network number 200.200.200.x so enter this number in to the appropriate text boxes on this screen:

    
    
    

15. The default reverse lookup zone database file name is quite long and ugly but that is alright, click "Next":

    
    
    

16. At this point the wizard displays a brief summary of the choices made. Click "Finish" for the choices to take effect:

    
    
    

17. Now expand the entries in the tree view of the left hand panel under the server SVR2 and you can see that the zones are now up and running by the status displays in the right hand window pane:

    
    
    

18. DNS is now up and running on the network that this server will control. The DHCP service should now be configured.

Copyright©2000-2004 Brian Robinson ALL RIGHTS RESERVED