Adding a non DC windows server as a DNS server

boiddude 1

We had a failure on an AD server that also had DNS and DHCP. I know how to get DHCP back up but DNS isn't working after following multiple sites.

We want to install a DNS/DHCP server that is NOT a domain controller. The environment schema and other servers are 2012 R2 and the new server is Windows 2019.

How do I go about adding this server into our DNS environment to interact with the other DNS/DHCP/AD servers in a DNS/DHCP capacity only? I can't find any primary DNS servers so I am guessing that AD is the "primary" that they all share. It has been attached to the AD by putting it in the domain but even after installing the snap in it isn't updating with the AD environment.

4 answers

Dave Patrick 426.1K Reputation points MVP

2022-02-24T20:19:59.107+00:00

In almost all cases the other domain controller would also be DNS servers. Kind of vague but to add a new DNS server is simply join the domain, then add the DNS role to the server. For the failed one you can seize roles (if needed)
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/identity/transfer-or-seize-fsmo-roles-in-ad-ds

then perform clean up to remove it prior to rebuilding it
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/deploy/ad-ds-metadata-cleanup
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/itops-talk-blog/step-by-step-manually-removing-a-domain-controller-server/ba-p/280564

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Dave Patrick 426.1K Reputation points MVP

2022-02-26T14:12:43.763+00:00

Just checking if there's any progress or updates?

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boiddude 1 Reputation point

2022-02-26T21:46:10.633+00:00

I did add the server to the domain and set up DNS but it isn't syncing with the DNS in our environment.
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Dave Patrick 426.1K Reputation points MVP

2022-02-26T22:19:19.053+00:00

Might check the event logs for clues or also enable some DNS debug logging. Also check the new name server has been added here.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/networking/configure-secondary-name-server#identify-the-secondary-name-server

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boiddude 1 Reputation point

2022-02-26T22:46:47.117+00:00

So just by adding that machine into the active directory domain and then adding the snap in for DNS it should automatically populate with all of the DNS zones? If not how do I go about adding all those zones because it only option I have is primary or secondary but these zones are neither primary or secondary. They seem to just be something that's an active directory that any active directory domain controller has access to. This will never be an active directory domain controller. I wanted to simply just be a DNS server and serve the current zones that we have in our environment.

Dave Patrick 426.1K Reputation points MVP

2022-02-26T22:54:38.443+00:00

Right-click the zone and add the name server here.

boiddude 1 Reputation point

2022-02-26T23:16:17.123+00:00

That interface does not look like that. When I bring up the DNS management interface nothing is in it. So I can't click on anything and anytime I try to put a zone in there it asks for the primary and I don't have any servers in my environment that is the primary for DNS. That's why I'm thinking it's all grabbed from active directory itself.

Dave Patrick 426.1K Reputation points MVP

2022-02-26T23:17:45.987+00:00

Yes, that's sort of correct. Do all this from your existing domain controller. You're adding a name server to the existing zones in active directory.

boiddude 1 Reputation point

2022-02-26T23:33:21.117+00:00

Okay if I'm able to I'll try it tonight otherwise I'll have to do it tomorrow and I can reply back. Am I still using the DNS manager or am I using a different application on the active directory servers to do this?

Dave Patrick 426.1K Reputation points MVP

2022-02-26T23:34:53.77+00:00

Sounds good, yes DNS Management

Dave Patrick 426.1K Reputation points MVP

2022-02-27T00:21:03.003+00:00

Also add to the Name Server's tab reverse lookup zone

Dave Patrick 426.1K Reputation points MVP

2022-02-28T13:32:44.99+00:00

Just checking if there's any progress or updates?

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boiddude 1 Reputation point

2022-02-28T19:57:10.677+00:00

Ok I added it. How long should it take to show up in the new server?
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Dave Patrick 426.1K Reputation points MVP

2022-02-28T19:58:42.403+00:00

How long should it take to show up in the new server?

Where are you looking for it? What's the result of dcdiag /test:dns /v
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boiddude 1 Reputation point

2022-02-28T21:53:56.833+00:00

Well I am looking in the Server Manager DNS tool on the new server. Nothing is showing up yet.
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Dave Patrick 426.1K Reputation points MVP

2022-02-28T21:55:37.367+00:00

Honestly it will be much simpler to add another domain controller with integrated DNS/ Otherwise follow along here to add a secondary name server.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/networking/configure-secondary-name-server

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