NON-ACTIVE DIRECTORY INTEGRATED DNS SERVER

Well I have struggled for a while to figure out how to configure a Stand Alone, Non-Active Directory Integrated Windows DNS Server. I searched all over the internet and at Microsoft website but no luck. I also went to a few forums asked a few people online but nobody replied back.  I was really frustrated because I am preparing for MCSE and I really needed help.

Well let’s leave all that behind now. I have finally figured out how it is done. I am pretty sure I am not the one to know that but I am still happy about it. Because I did it all by myself!!!.

Let me explain to you the problem here. The problem is quite simple actually (of course it’s not simple till you figured it out).

What’s happening is the DNS server is not able to find what we call “Root Hints” or “Name server” for your domain. In more simple terms your DNS Server is not able to find your Domain Controller (DC).

For DNS Server to recognize the Server as DC you have to create root hints on your DNS server and once you have done that you are good to go.

Don't worry if you don't know how to do that because I will tell you how to do that.

First of all let me tell you the configuration of my two servers that I am using here so you don’t get confused.

Server1 (DC for “tarun.local”) (10.10.10.3/8)

Server2 (DNS) (10.10.10.2/8)

Now, I will be performing all the actions on my DNS Server.

I have configured 10.10.10.2 to be the Preferred DNS server in my Server1 TCP/IP Configuration.

Now, put the tarun.local suffix to DNS Server (i.e.Server2 in my case). For this right click “My Computer” click “Properties” go to “Computer Name” tab.

Here you would see a button that says “Change” click that button and “Computer Name Changes” window would open.

In this window you should see a button that says “More” click that and “DNS Suffix and NetBIOS Computer Name” window would open.

In this window in “Primary DNS Suffix of this computer” field type in you DNS Suffix (i.e. “tarun.local” in my case.)

You would be asked to restart your computer go ahead and do it.

Now you have to configure your DNS if you have not already done that. At the end you should get an error saying “root hints not found”.

After you have configured your DNS go to “dnsmgmt” from START->Administrative Tools->DNS.

In “dnsmgmt” click on Server2 and you should see a few options like “Forward Lookup Zones”, “Reverse Lookup Zones”, “Event Viewer”, “Root Hints” & “Forwarders”.

Double click “Root Hints” and “Server2 Properties” windows would open.

Here you should see “Name servers:” listed. Click “Add” button at the bottom and “New Resource Record” window would open. Here type in your Domain Controller’s FQDN and Specify its IP address (which for me would be  “Server2.tarun.local” , “10.10.10.3”).

Click ok to close “New Resource Record” window and then click ok to close “Server2 Properites” window.

Quite likely you will have to restart both the Servers and once they are restarted your DNS is configured to work with Active Directory.

Congrats!!!

I will be making a video of this and once one I will provide a link to that video here.

If this was helpful please visit my website http://munjaltarun.co.cc/ for more posts.

Have A Nice Day!!!