Configuring Win 2003 DNS Server

This article describes how to configure a "Domain Name System" (DNS) server to host a Web site that is accessible externally (that is, accessed from the Internet).

How to Obtain an IP Address

To host a web site that can be accessed externally, you must obtain a public IP address from your Internet Service Provider (ISP). And assign this IP address to the external interface of the firewall or router to which the DNS server is connected.

How to register a domain name

Through an Internet domain name registry (such a registry is called a registry) Your organization registers a parent or secondary DNS domain name.

The registration process for each registration authority may vary, but you can still register your domain name by following these steps:

Search to confirm that the name you want to register is available.

Provide contact information and payment information (including email addresses) for this account.

Type the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the master and slave DNS servers.

Note: These are the public IP addresses provided by the ISP.

Pay an annual fee or be prepared to pay an annual fee.

How to configure a web server

Install and configure Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) if it is not already installed.

How to create a DNS entry for a web server

Create an alias or CNAME record for the DNS server configured with IIS. This will ensure that the external host can use the “www”hostname to connect to your web server. The creation method is:

Open the DNS snap-in. To do this, click Start, point to Administrative Tools, and then click DNS.

Under DNS, expand “hostname" (hostname is the hostname of the DNS server).

Expand the forward search area.

Under Forward Lookup Zones, right-click the desired zone (for example, domain name .com.) and click New Alias ​​(CNAME).

In the "alias" box, type www.

In the "Full qualified name of the target host" box, type the fully qualified host name of the DNS server where IIS is installed. For example, type dns.domain.com and click OK.