Microsoft DNS server and TZO

	Setting up Microsoft DNS Server on NT 4.0 sp6
	Note: Make sure service pack 5 or greater is installed on your server. In previous service pack releases "dnsadmin.exe" was NOT STABLE. The DNS service would continually drop any DNS servers setup up for "forwarders", this can can cause major havoc when trying to resolve DNS outside of the local network. The following instructions are generic steps for configuring the DNS Server that is native to NT Server 4.0. The Microsoft DNS Server must be installed for you to continue. If you are not sure, go into the " Network Properties" - "Services", if the Microsoft DNS Server is installed it will be listed there. If not, use the Add button to add the service. After you add the service, restart the server and then reinstall the latest service pack.

	First Step: DNS Manager - Log in as administrator, Open the DNS Manager in Administrative tools, right mouse click on Server List and select New Server. Proceed to step two.



	Second Step: Add Server - Add the loopback address (127.0.0.1) or the Server Name (netbios name) in the space given. If the server is on a Dynamic IP Address the Server Name is a better option, this way it will bind to whatever IP Address is currently on the System. Proceed to step three.


	Third Step: DNS Manager - Now that there is a Server listed in the Server List, the properties of the server need to be configured. The properties of the DNS are important for external name resolution and binding to specific IP Addresses if needed. Right mouse click on the Server and select Properties. Proceed to step four.



	Fourth Step: Server Properties - Interfaces - In Server properties under the Interfaces tab, it is self explanatory. If the Server is running on a Dynamic IP Address leave this space blank, if you want to specify specific IP Addresses for your DNS Server do it here. Proceed to step five for an explanation on the Forwarders tab.



	Fifth Step: Server Properties - Forwarders - Forwarders are used for forwarding all DNS Resolution requests other than local domain requests to another DNS Server up the ladder. The DNS/Name Servers of your ISP should be put here and there should be at least two entries in case one is unreachable. The boot method I am not going to touch on only because this will be left as is. Only if you really know what you are doing should you this be changed. Proceed to step Six to learn about creating a Zone on your new DNS/Name Server.



	Sixth Step: New Zone - The next step is to create a new Zone, right mouse click on the server that is in the server list and select New Zone. The next window is the one you see below, here, in most cases a Primary Zone will be selected. ONLY select the Secondary Zone if your server will be using another DNS/Name Server to resolve hosts in that Zone. If you are running the TZO DNS Relay Service Select Primary. Click Next and proceed to Step Seven.



	Seventh Step: New Zone - Zone Name - The Zone is the TLD (Top Level Domain) that your DNS/Name Server will resolve hosts for. In the space provided, type in your domain name.com -net -org or whatever your .DOT name is, the Zone File will be created automatically. Click Next and proceed to Step Eight.



	Eighth Step: New Zone - Zone Name - This step is only needed if you need to create Reverse ARP PTR Records. The Reverse Name Resolution is needed in some cases for determining if a Domain Name is valid to the IP Address it Resolves back to. To continue with Reverse ARP setup, Repeat step Six, create a new Primary Zone. This Zone will be the Reverse IP format of the subnet network your DNS Server will be announcing. Below I have created a Class A Reverse ARP space for 254 entries (10.1.1.0/24 or 10.1.1.0/255.255.255.0). Use this format when creating Reverse ARP Zones, "x.x.x.in-addr.arpa". Now that the Reverse ARP Space is setup you can begin to add hosts, Proceed to step Nine.



	Ninth Step: New Host - To Create New Hosts in your Zone/Domain, highlight your Zone/Domain (myownserver.com) right mouse click and select New Host. The screen shot below will appear and this is how New Hosts are added to the Microsoft DNS Server. Only the host name is needed, Not the entire name (e.g.. mail - NOT mail.myownserver.com), if you enter an invalid name you will get an error. Next, enter the IP Address of the host being added, only select the "Create Associated PTR Record" if you completed step Eight. Repeat this for every new host needed on the DNS Server. Now that you have some hosts setup you are ready to create Resource Records for the host records. Proceed to step Ten.



	Tenth Step: New Resource Record - Resource Records are needed if the DNS Server will be announcing records such as Mail - (MX) Records. MX Records are needed for SMTP mail transport. So, simply put, if a domain is Announced by your DNS Server and you want a mail server to receive mail for that Domain, a MX Record that points to the Mail Server must exist. Mail Servers sending out mail will specifically look for this MX Record, if no record is found no mail can be sent to your domain. Repeat this step for additional Resource Records needed. Proceed to step Eleven.



	Eleventh Step: View Zone Info - Hosts Records - View All Zone/Domain Records. By double clicking on the individual records, properties may be viewed and edited. Proceed to step Twelve.



	Twelfth Step: View Zone Info - Reverse Address Pointers - View All Reverse ARP Zone/Domain Records. By double clicking on the individual records, properties may be viewed and edited.



	DONE!