Checklist: Configuring a DNS server

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

Checklist: Configuring a DNS server

Step Reference

If you have not installed a DNS server, first follow the DNS server installation checklist, and then return to this checklist to configure your new DNS server.

Checklist: Installing a DNS server

For small office/home office. If you are setting up a home network with multiple machines connecting to the Internet, have the following on hand:

  • The name of the zone for which this server will be authoritative

  • The IP address of your ISP's DNS server

Understanding zones and zone transfer; Dynamic update; Using forwarders

For medium office/large office. If the DNS server will service requests from clients on a local network that may or may not be available from the internet, have the following on hand:

  • The name of the zone for which this server will be authoritative

  • Possibly:

    • The name of a reverse lookup zone

    • The IP address of a DNS server used for forwarding

Server planning for DNS; Zone planning for DNS; Reverse lookup; Using forwarders; Active Directory integration

Before configuring your DNS server, learn DNS server best practices, server features, and the concepts involved in configuring primary and secondary servers.

DNS best practices; Server features; Configuring a new primary server; Using secondary servers

Configure your DNS server.

Configure a new DNS server

Verify the DNS server's configuration.

Verifying server configuration