non-domain joined Computers DHCP and DNS Record Registration

Question

After a ton of research I have determined that only domain joined computer's records are registered with DNS. I am trying to understand that If DHCP is configured to dynamically update DNS records and using an account that is a member of the DNSUpdateProxy group to to create DNS records on behalf of clients then why don't non-domain joined machines have their records created and updated in DNS? The address is being provided by DHCP to non-domain joined computers AND DHCP has permissions to write to the DNS server. Is this by design? That would make sense to a degree. How would you get DHCP to automatically create DNS records when the DHCP client is non domain joined?

After further testing I got two linux machines to be assigned an IP address and records were created in DNS. I observed this after I changed this setting:
Dynamically update DNS records for DHCP clients that do not request updates

What disturbing is that a non domain joined windows 10 client does not behave the same way as it does not register with DNS. I also changed its DNS suffix on the NIC to match the domain name but it still did not register with DNS. However a PTR record is created for it.

Answer 1

Hi,

Thanks for positing in Q&A platform.

Regarding of your issue non-domain joined Windows 10 client cannot register DNS A record, may I know how do you configured your DHCP server?

I have done a test in my environment. However, I found that the DNS A record of Windows 10 client can be updated by DHCP server. What I did is from DHCP server side, I select Always dynamically update DNS records in DNS tab of IPv4 Properties and then add DHCP server to DnsUpdateProxy group.

For more details, please refer to the following test result.

A. On DHCP server, select Always dynamically update DNS records.

B. Add DHCP server into DnsUpdateProxy group.

C. Run command "ipconfig /renew" from client side

D. Check DNS zone and found the DNS record of windows 10 client is existed. And then check the ownership of this record is DHCP server.

Best Regards,
Sunny

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Answer 2

Hi @jpcapone ,

If you want DHCP server to register DNS A record on behalf of non-domain joined Windows client, please help to make sure the configuration on DHCP server was correctly. And if the issue still cannot be resolved by above configuration, another option is we can set credential in “Advanced tab” on the DHCP server. This account must be DNS admin of the DNS server in the other forest, which also allow DHCP server to register DNS records.

Hope my answer will help you!

Best Regards,
Sunny

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