Identifying Your DNS Namespace Requirements

  • Article

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

The first step in designing a DNS namespace is to determine whether you need a new namespace for your organization, or whether you can retain an existing Windows or third-party DNS namespace.

Important

  • You must plan your DNS namespace in conjunction with planning your Active Directory logical structure. For more information about designing the Active Directory logical structure, see "Designing the Active Directory Logical Structure" in Designing and Deploying Directory and Security Services of this kit.

Table 3.2 summarizes the DNS namespace design requirements for each possible scenario.

Table 3.2   DNS Namespace Design Requirements

Scenario Design Requirements

You are upgrading an existing DNS infrastructure from a version of Windows earlier than Windows Server 2003.

DNS namespace design can remain the same.

You are upgrading from a third-party DNS infrastructure that uses DNS software that adheres to standard DNS domain naming guidelines.

DNS namespace design can remain the same.

Your existing DNS software does not conform to standard DNS domain naming guidelines.

Bring your existing DNS namespace design into compliance with DNS domain naming guidelines before deploying a Windows Server 2003  DNS namespace.

You are integrating Windows Server 2003  DNS into an existing third-party DNS software that adheres to standard DNS domain naming guidelines.

Integrate Windows Server 2003 DNS with your current DNS infrastructure. You do not need to change the namespace design of the third-party DNS infrastructure or your existing namespace.

You are deploying a new Windows Server 2003 DNS infrastructure.

Design a logical naming convention for your DNS namespace based on DNS domain naming guidelines.

You are deploying Windows Server 2003 DNS to support Active Directory.

Create a DNS namespace design that is based on your Active Directory naming convention.

You are modifying your existing DNS namespace to support Active Directory, but you do not want to redesign your DNS namespace.

Ensure that Active Directory domain names match your existing DNS names. This enables you to deploy the highest level of security by using the simplest management techniques.