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Checklist: Add a Domain Controller with the DNS Server Service

Applies To: Windows Server 2008

Integrating Domain Name System (DNS) with Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) provides automatic replication between domain controllers in a common domain or forest. By installing multiple domain controllers in a domain running the DNS Server service, you can ensure that DNS will continue to work if a domain controller fails or is taken offline for maintenance. Having multiple domain controllers can also give you the ability to locate the servers in sites where they can be reached most efficiently by DNS clients. In addition, the resulting load balancing can improve overall DNS performance.

Task Reference

Read about DNS integration with AD DS.

Understanding Active Directory Domain Services Integration

Plan how to divide up your DNS domain name and network address space into forward and reverse lookup zones, as needed.

Planning DNS Zones

Plan your server deployment, including determining how many servers to use and where to put them on your network, keeping in mind that by default domain controllers also operate as DNS servers.

Planning DNS Servers

If clients on your network must be able to resolve external DNS names, consider whether you should configure and use forwarders at DNS servers on your network.

Using Forwarders;

Configure a DNS Server to Use Forwarders

Determine how to manage DNS client resolver configurations.

Checklist: Configure DNS Client Settings

Install and configure domain controllers and domains for hosting your zones.

Install a DNS Server;

Configure a DNS Server for Use with Active Directory Domain Services

As needed, add delegations in parent zones for any subdomains.

For example, if you are adding sub.corp.contoso.com as a new Active Directory domain, you add to it a delegation at the corp.contoso.com zone.

Understanding Zone Delegation;

Create a Zone Delegation