Windows Server - how to do dns

[reubenb]

I got myself an evaluation copy of Windows Server 2003 to test it out.
I know how to use IIS and mail and etc. etc. but what I don't understand is the dns side of things.

For arguments sake, say I have IP range say 203.27.36.0 - 203.27.36.200.
I want to use my own nameservers (ns.myserver.com) and my own everything.

How do i use the DNS server in windows 2003 and caqn you please explainto me how the whole dns system/name server system works?

(i want to be able to host say, xyzlimited.com on my server with its on IP etc.)

Thanks

[Celtboy]

I'll do my best to simply how it works.

You have what are called "ZONES." All dns entries are stored in zones. Think of them as folders.

There are different kinds of dns records (entries).

How DNS works (simplified):
Let's say you fire up Internet Explorer and try to go to http://www.apple.com/

Your computer will send a request to it's DNS server. This dns server is either specified manually in your network settings, or it is dynamically made known to your computer by a DHCP server (this could be your ISP, a router, a Windows server, a Linux server, whatever).

Computer: Hey server. Do you have a zone for "apple.com" ?
Server : Why yes I do. What kind of record would you like?
Computer: I'm looking for an Alias record (type A).
Server: Cool. What record?
Computer: "www"
Server: Oh yeh, we got that. www.apple.com. Here's the IP:
Computer: Thank you very much!

Now it all depends on how it is setup. If you have helpers assigned, then when the request comes in and the server DOESN'T have apple.com or www.apple.com, then it will forward the request on to a specified helper server (which may or may not have the correct IP).

What you want to do in your case is create a new Forward Lookup Zone, and you would call it ya xyzlimited.com

Then inside you would create host entries (A) for subdomains, like "www" , "software", "mail", "ftp" , whatever.

If you want to use email, you should create an A record for the email, as well as a matching MX entry, which points to it. Email requires the MX entry to route email.

To get it up and running, you'd have to tell whoever you registered your domain name with that you're hosting your own DNS, and have them point to the ip address of your DNS server. Many places have web-based control panels that let you adjust it without contacting them. Be forewarned, it may take up to 72 hours for the information to populate everywhere.

HTH,
-Celt

[reubenb]

Wow, that makes so much sense, thanks for that!!
Very simple to understand :thumbsup:

I have 8 domains to host mail for and web for. How do I do this (including getting ip addresses) ???

And how do i make my own NAMESERVER (dns server?) ..?