Change the name-checking method of a DNS server

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

The DNS Server service supports three different possible methods for checking the names that it receives and processes during normal operations:

• Strict RFC (ANSI): This method strictly enforces Request for Comments (RFC)–compliant naming rules for all Domain Name System (DNS) names that the server processes. Names that are not RFC compliant are treated as erred data by the DNS server.

• Non RFC (ANSI): This method allows names that are not RFC compliant, such as names that use American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) characters but are not compliant with RFC host naming requirements, to be used with the DNS server.

• Multibyte (UTF8): This method allows names that use the Unicode 8-bit translation encoding scheme, which is a proposed RFC draft, to be used with the DNS server.

By default, the DNS server uses the Multibyte (UTF8) method to check names.

Administrative credentials

To perform this procedure, you must be a member of the Administrators group on the local computer, or you must have been delegated the appropriate authority. If the computer is joined to a domain, members of the Domain Admins group might be able to perform this procedure. As a security best practice, consider using the Run as command to perform this procedure.

To change the name-checking method of a DNS server

1. Open the DNS snap-in.

2. In the console tree, right-click the applicable DNS server, and then click Properties.

3. Click the Advanced tab.

4. In the Name checking list, click Strict RFC (ANSI), Non RFC (ANSI), Multibyte (UTF8), or All names.

   All names enables all three name-checking methods.