Name resolution for TCP/IP

  • Article

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

Name resolution for TCP/IP

Name resolution is a process that provides users with easy-to-remember server names, instead of requiring them to use the numerical IP addresses by which servers identify themselves on the TCP/IP network. The name-resolution services are Domain Name System (DNS) and Windows Internet Name Service (WINS).

  • DNS
    DNS is a hierarchical naming system used for locating computers on the Internet and private TCP/IP networks. One or more DNS servers are needed in most installations. DNS is required for Internet e-mail, Web browsing, and Active Directory. DNS is often used as a name resolution service in domains with clients running Windows 2000, Windows XP, or products in the Windows Server 2003 family. DNS is installed automatically when you create a domain controller (or when you install Active Directory on an existing member server, which makes it a domain controller), unless Windows Server 2003 software detects that a DNS server already exists for that domain. You can also install DNS by choosing the DNS server role in Manage Your Server or by using Control Panel. If you plan to install DNS on a server, specify a static IP address on that server and configure that server to use that IP address for its own name resolution. For more information, see the following:
  • WINS
    If you provide support for clients running Windows NT or any earlier Microsoft operating system, you might need to install Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) on one or more servers in the domain. You might also need to install WINS if it is required by your applications. You can install WINS by choosing the WINS server role in Manage Your Server or by using Control Panel. If you plan to install WINS on a server, specify a static IP address on that server. For more information, see the following: