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Configure a new DNS server

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

To configure a new DNS server

  • Using the Windows interface

  • Using a command line

Using the Windows interface

  1. Open DNS.

  2. If needed, add and connect to the applicable server in the console.

  3. In the console tree, click the applicable DNS server.

    Where?

    • DNS/Applicable DNS server
  4. On the Action menu, click Configure a DNS Server.

  5. Follow the instructions in the Configure a DNS Server Wizard.

Notes

  • To perform this procedure, you must be a member of the Administrators group on the local computer, or you must have been delegated the appropriate authority. If the computer is joined to a domain, members of the Domain Admins group might be able to perform this procedure. As a security best practice, consider using Run as to perform this procedure.

  • To open DNS, click Start, click Control Panel, double-click Administrative Tools, and then double-click DNS.

  • If the DNS server is running locally, you do not need to perform step 2.

  • As a best practice, use the checklist for installing a new DNS server. For more information, see Related Topics.

  • When you finish configuring the server, you might need to complete additional tasks, such as enabling dynamic updates for its zones or adding resource records to its zones.

Using a command line

  1. Open Command Prompt.

  2. Type:

    dnscmdServerName**/Config** {ZoneName|..AllZones} Property {1|0}

Value Description

dnscmd

Specifies the name of the command-line tool.

ServerName

Required. Specifies the DNS host name of the DNS server. You can also type the IP address of the DNS server. To specify the DNS server on the local computer, you can also type a period (.).

/Config

Specifies the configuration command.

{ZoneName|..AllZones}

Specifies the name of the zone to be configured. To apply the configuration for all zones hosted by the specified DNS server, type ..AllZones.

Property

Specifies the server property or zone property to be configured. There are different properties available for servers and zones. For a list of the available properties, at the command prompt, type: dnscmd /Config /help.

{1|0}

Sets configuration options to either 1 (on) or 0 (off). Note that some server and zone properties must be reset as part of a more complex operation.

Notes

  • To perform this procedure, you must be a member of the Administrators group on the local computer, or you must have been delegated the appropriate authority. If the computer is joined to a domain, members of the Domain Admins group might be able to perform this procedure. As a security best practice, consider using Run as to perform this procedure.

  • To open a command prompt, click Start, point to All programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command prompt.

  • This procedure requires the Dnscmd Windows support tool. For information about installing Windows support tools, see Related Topics.

  • To view the complete syntax for this command, at a command prompt, type:

    dnscmd/Config/help

  • As a best practice, use the checklist for installing a new DNS server provided in the online Help. For more information, see Related Topics.

  • When you finish configuring the server, you might need to complete additional tasks, such as enabling dynamic updates for its zones or adding resource records to its zones.

Formatting legend

Format Meaning

Italic

Information that the user must supply

Bold

Elements that the user must type exactly as shown

Ellipsis (...)

Parameter that can be repeated several times in a command line

Between brackets ([])

Optional items

Between braces ({}); choices separated by pipe (|). Example: {even|odd}

Set of choices from which the user must choose only one

Courier font

Code or program output

Information about functional differences

  • Your server might function differently based on the version and edition of the operating system that is installed, your account permissions, and your menu settings. For more information, see Viewing Help on the Web.

See Also

Concepts

DNS Checklists
Install a DNS server
Add a server to the DNS console
Install Windows Support Tools