Configuring DNS for Internet Access in Win 2003

This step-by-step article describes how to configure Internet access for Domain Name System (DNS) in Windows Server 2003 products. DNS is the core name resolution tool used on the Internet. Responsible for resolution between host name and Internet address.

How to start from a stand-alone server running Windows Server 2003

A stand-alone server running Windows Server 2003 becomes the DNS server for your network. The first step is to assign a static Internet Protocol (IP) address to the server. The DNS server should not use dynamically assigned IP addresses because dynamic changes to the address can cause the client to lose contact with the DNS server.

Step 1: Configure TCP/IP

Open a network connection and use the right mouse button to view the properties of the local connection.

Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). View its properties.

Click the General tab.

Select “Use the following IP address”, then type the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway address in the appropriate boxes.

Check the DNS tab in the advanced options.

Click Attach Primary and Connection Specific DNS Suffixes.

Click to select the Parent suffix of the primary DNS suffix check box.

Click to select the Register addresses for this connection in DNS check box.

Note that a DNS server running Windows Server 2003 must specify its DNS server as itself.

If the server needs to resolve the name of an Internet Service Provider (ISP) from it, you must configure a forwarder. The forwarder will be discussed in the How to Configure Forwarder section later in this article.

Click OK three times.

Note: If you receive a warning from the DNS Cache Resolver service, click “OK" to turn off the warning. The cache parser is trying to get in touch with the DNS server, but you have not yet completed the configuration of the server.

Step 2: Install the Microsoft DNS Server

Click Start, point to Control Panel, and then click Add or Remove Programs.

Click “Add or remove Windows components”.

In the list of components, click Network Services (but do not select or clear the check box), and then click Details. Click to select the Domain Name System (DNS) check box, and then click OK.