Upgrading DNS Servers to Windows Server 2003 DNS

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

The procedure you need to follow to upgrade DNS servers to Windows Server 2003 depends on whether you want to support Active Directory or not. If you are upgrading to Windows Server 2003 DNS and might not support Active Directory, for information about upgrading your existing DNS servers or migrating third-party DNS servers, see "Migrating servers" in Help and Support Center for Windows Server 2003. Migration involves the following:

  • Plan your migration schedule to ensure that your DNS clients have access to a DNS server at all times.

  • Back up your existing configuration.

  • Migrate data from existing DNS servers to Windows Server 2003 DNS.

If you are upgrading your DNS servers to support Active Directory, see "Designing the Active Directory Logical Structure" in Designing and Deploying Directory and Security Services of this kit.

After you have upgraded or migrated your servers, test them to ensure that they are resolving correctly. For more information about DNS troubleshooting and testing DNS server performance, see "Monitor Servers" in Help and Support Center for Windows Server 2003, and the Networking Collection of the Windows Server 2003 Technical Reference (or see the Networking Collection on the Web at https://www.microsoft.com/reskit).