Configure a stub zone for local master servers

  • Article

Updated: February 17, 2010

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

By default, the list of master servers is stored in Active Directory. You can also specify a local list of master servers, which is a list of master DNS servers stored in the Windows Registry on the local server. If it exists, this list overrides the list of master servers stored in Active Directory.

By specifying a local list of master servers, an administrator can allow a server to have a different list of master servers than other servers that are hosting the same Active Directory integrated zone.

To configure a stub zone to use local master servers

  • Using the Windows interface

  • Using a command line

Using the Windows interface

  1. Open DNS.

  2. In the console tree, right-click the stub zone, and then click Properties.

  3. On the General tab, under IP address, modify the list to display the IP addresses of the local master servers that you want the DNS server to use when loading and updating the stub zone.

    Ensure that the IP addresses of the local master servers are for only those authoritative DNS servers that should be queried to update the records of the stub zone on this server.

  4. Select the Use the list above as a local list of masters check box, and then click OK.

Notes

  • To perform this procedure, you must be a member of the DnsAdmins or the Domain Admins group in Active Directory, or you must have been delegated the appropriate authority. As a security best practice, consider using Run as to perform this procedure. For more information, see Default local groups, Default groups, and Using Run as.

  • To open DNS, click Start, click Control Panel, double-click Administrative Tools, and then double-click DNS.

  • If the local list of master servers is cleared at a later date, the master servers list from Active Directory is applied and the local list of master servers is deleted.

  • When modifications to the master servers list are made and applied on a domain controller hosting the stub zone, the list of master servers for the stub zone is updated in Active Directory.

  • The DNS server will keep the master servers list from Active Directory stored in memory.

Using a command line

  1. Open Command Prompt.

  2. Type:

    dnscmdServerName**/ZoneResetMastersZoneName [/Local**] [MasterIPaddress...]

Value Description

dnscmd

Specifies the name of the command-line tool.

ServerName

Required. Specifies the DNS host name of the DNS server. You can also type the IP address of the DNS server. To specify the DNS server on the local computer, you can also type a period (.)

ZoneName

Required. Specifies the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the zone.

/Local

Configures the local master list for Active Directory-integrated zones.

MasterIPaddress...

List of one or more IP addresses of master servers for this zone. Master servers may include the server hosting the primary zone or servers hosting other secondary copies for the zone. To clear the local list of masters, type the command without entering any IP addresses. Ensure that the IP addresses of the local master servers are for only those authoritative DNS servers that should be queried to update the records of the stub zone on this server.

Notes

  • To perform this procedure, you must be a member of the DnsAdmins or the Domain Admins group in Active Directory, or you must have been delegated the appropriate authority. As a security best practice, consider using Run as to perform this procedure. For more information, see Default local groups, Default groups, and Using Run as.

  • To open a command prompt, click Start, point to All programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command prompt.

  • This procedure requires the Dnscmd Windows support tool. For information about installing Windows support tools, see Related Topics.

  • To view the complete syntax for this command, at a command prompt, type:

    dnscmd/ZoneResetMasters/help

  • If the local list of master servers is cleared at a later date, the master servers list from Active Directory is applied and the local list of master servers is deleted.

  • When modifications to the master servers list are made and applied on a domain controller hosting the stub zone, the list of master servers for the stub zone is updated in Active Directory.

  • The DNS server will keep the master servers list from Active Directory stored in memory.

Formatting legend

Format Meaning

Italic

Information that the user must supply

Bold

Elements that the user must type exactly as shown

Ellipsis (...)

Parameter that can be repeated several times in a command line

Between brackets ([])

Optional items

Between braces ({}); choices separated by pipe (|). Example: {even|odd}

Set of choices from which the user must choose only one

Courier font

Code or program output

Information about functional differences

  • Your server might function differently based on the version and edition of the operating system that is installed, your account permissions, and your menu settings. For more information, see Viewing Help on the Web.

See Also

Concepts

Add a stub zone
Reload or transfer a stub zone
Using stub zones
Understanding zones and zone transfer
Install Windows Support Tools