Configuring Client DNS Server Lists and Suffix Search Lists

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

Configure your clients’ DNS server lists and suffix search list by including at least two DNS server IP addresses on the clients and domain controllers: the IP address for a preferred server and the IP address for an alternate server. Use a server running in the local site for the preferred server. The alternate server can be running in either a local or a remote site.

The DNS suffix search list is populated based on the primary DNS suffix of the client and any connection-specific DNS suffixes. The client uses these suffixes to try to resolve unqualified names. You can modify the DNS suffix search list manually, or by using Group Policy. Limit the size of your suffix search list if you can, because a large suffix search list increases network traffic.