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LocalNetPriority

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

HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\DNS\Parameters

Data type Range Default value

REG_DWORD

0 | 1

0

Description

Specifies the order in which the Domain Name System (DNS) server returns A (address) records when it has multiple A records for the same name.

Value Meaning

0

The DNS server returns the A records in the order in which they were added to the database. It does not sort the records. If the value of the RoundRobin entry is 1, then the server rotates among the records it returns.

1

The DNS server returns records in order of their similarity to the IP address of the querying client.

This entry does not exist in the registry by default. You can add it by using the registry editor Regedit.exe.

Change Method

To change the value of this entry, use the DNS console. Right-click the server name, click Properties, and then click the Advanced tab. This entry corresponds to the Enable Netmask Ordering option. You can also use Dnscmd.exe, a tool included in Windows Support Tools.

Activation Method

DNS reads its registry entries only when it starts. You can change entries while the DNS server is running by using the DNS console or Dnscmd.exe. If you change entries by editing the registry, then the changes are not effective until you restart the DNS server.

Note

  • The order in which A records are returned depends on the value of this entry and of the RoundRobin entry, as follows:

  • If both entries are set to 1 (or neither entry appears in the registry), then the DNS server rotates among the A records it returns in local net priority order, that is, in order of their similarity to the IP address of the querying client.

  • If the value of RoundRobin is 0 and the value of LocalNetPriority is 1, then the DNS server returns the records in local net priority order. It does not rotate among available addresses.

  • If the value of RoundRobin is 1 and the value of LocalNetPriority is 0, then the DNS server rotates among the available records in the order in which the records were added to the database.

  • If the values of RoundRobin and LocalNetPriority are both 0, then the DNS server returns the records in the order in which they were added to the database. It does not attempt to sort them or to rotate among them.