Changing the IP Address of a DNS Server

Applies To: Windows Server 2008

The process for changing the IP address for an existing Domain Name System (DNS) server is the same as for any DNS host computer: Update the IP address in the server host (A or AAAA) resource record. If the name of the server does not change, name server (NS) and start-of-authority (SOA) resource records are not affected.

A common configuration error that occurs when you change an IP address in the host (A or AAAA) resource record in a zone is that the same information that is used elsewhere in DNS is not updated. For example, if a DNS server that has a name or address change is used in a parent zone as part of a set of delegation records, the zone records might be updated, but the delegation records are left unchanged. For this reason, it is a good idea to check the parent zone as well when you change or update IP addresses for host (A or AAAA) resource records for DNS servers in a zone. Otherwise, zone delegation can fail.

To complete this task, perform the following procedures:

  1. Modify an Existing Resource Record

    Use this procedure to update host (A), name server (NS), and start-of-authority (SOA) resource records, as needed.

  2. Verify a Zone Delegation

    Use this procedure to ensure that the records were changed properly.