Set aging and scavenging properties for a zone

  • Article

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

The settings for zone aging and scavenging properties determine the use of these features on a per-zone basis. When you set zone-specific properties for a selected zone, these settings apply only to the applicable zone and its resource records. Unless these zone-level properties are otherwise configured, they inherit their defaults from comparable settings that are maintained in server aging and scavenging properties.

You can perform this procedure by using the DNS snap-in or by using the Dnscmd command-line tool.

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.

Setting aging and scavenging properties for a zone

  • Using the Windows interface

  • Using the command line

To set aging and scavenging properties for a zone using the Windows interface

  1. Open the DNS snap-in.

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

  3. On the General tab, click Aging.

  4. Select the Scavenge stale resource records check box.

  5. Modify other aging and scavenging properties as needed.

Note

To open the DNS snap-in, click Start, point to Administrative Tools, and then click DNS.

To set aging and scavenging properties for a zone using the command line

  • At a command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

    dnscmd ServerName /Config {ZoneName|..AllZones} {/Aging Value|/RefreshInterval Value|/NoRefreshInterval Value}

    Value Description

    ServerName

    Specifies the Domain Name System (DNS) host name of the DNS server. You can also type the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the DNS server. To specify the DNS server on the local computer, you can also type a period (.)

    ZoneName|..AllZones

    Specifies the name of the zone to which you want to set aging and scavenging. To apply the operation to all zones, use ..AllZones.

    Value

    For /Aging, type 1 to enable aging. Type 0 to disable aging. For /RefreshInterval, type a value in hours. The default setting is 168 hours (one week). For /NoRefreshInterval, type a value in seconds. The standard setting is 3600 seconds (one hour).