How to move DNS records/Zones from 2012R2 Server core to a Domain Controller

Question

Hi,

I have a DMZ with 2 Windows Server 2019 Domain Controllers and a DNS server that is on 2012R2 Server Core. I would like to retire this 2012R2 Server. Is it possible to "migrate" the DNS zones records from this 2012R2 Server Core to a Domain Controller so that is AD integrated. What would be the best practice here. I just feel 3 DNS servers / roles are overkill for such a small environment. I am quite sure that the DNS lookup zones on the Domains Controllers are not matching what this server core has. I'm trying to clean up a mess that was left for me after our AD guy left unexpectedly.

Any pointers to great articles on how to solve this is appreciated.

Thanks,

Jason

Answer 1

Hi. Thank you for your question and reaching out. I’d be more than happy to help you with your query.

You must first export the records from the Server Core in order to relocate DNS records/zones from a 2012R2 Server Core to a Domain Controller. Open a command prompt and type "dnscmd /zoneexport zonename> filename>" to accomplish this. By doing this, the zone will be exported to the designated file.

The exported file should then be copied to the domain controller. Open the command prompt on the domain controller and type "dnscmd /zoneimport file name>". The zone will be imported into the Domain Controller as a result.

Finally, you can check to see if the zone was successfully imported using the DNS Manager console. Open the DNS Manager interface, choose the zone in the left pane, and check that the records are displayed in the right pane to accomplish this.

If the reply was helpful, please don’t forget to upvote or accept as answer, thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Below a Microsoft article talking about how migrate DNS zone to another server,you can follow it :

How to move Windows DNS zones to another Windows server

Please don't forget to mark helpful answer as accepted*