Introduction to Troubleshooting Domain Name System

  • Article

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

This guide explains how to troubleshoot Domain Name System (DNS). If you are not familiar with this guide, review the following sections of this introduction.

When to Use This Guide

You should use this guide when:

  • You have a problem that you believe is related to DNS, but you do not know how to resolve it.

  • You configure DNS settings, but DNS does not behave the way that you anticipate.

  • A program is not working properly, and you believe that DNS is causing the problem.

Do not use this guide to find out how to perform a task, such as configuring a stub zone or installing DNS. Information about how to perform tasks and configure settings can be found in Administering DNS Operations.

This guide assumes that you have a basic understanding of what DNS is, how it works, and why your organization uses it for name resolution. You should also have a thorough understanding of how DNS is deployed and managed in your organization. This includes an understanding of the mechanism that your organization uses to configure and manage DNS settings.

How This Guide Is Organized

This guide is divided into four sections. Each section addresses a type of problem, ranging from less complex to more complex.

Verifying Computer Settings for Domain Name System

This section provides a list of prerequisites and settings that must be verified before you troubleshoot. Read this section first.

Configuring a Computer for Troubleshooting Domain Name System

This section describes how to configure your computer for troubleshooting.

Troubleshooting Domain Name System Problems

This section provides step-by-step diagnostic procedures and possible solutions that help you identify and fix DNS problems.

Additional Resources for Domain Name System

This section provides additional resources that are related to DNS.