Help adding 2nd DNS server

[1666]

Hi, we use an external DNS server, but I have suggested we installed an internal DNS for internal name resolution, as certain programs we use like web filtering software we get external workstation names and we have problems pinging host names sometimes, also we have an intranet ready to go and want to create a proper internal url. How does the DNS settings on a Win2k, Win98 PC work? can we just add the 2nd server in the DNS listings on the NIC settings of the PC's or in the DHCP scope, and it will work?

Regards

Andy

 

[brontosaurus]

check out AshleyPride's FAQ. It should take care of you, but ask back if you need more info...

http://www.tek-tips.com/faqs.cfm?spid=96&sfid=3017

 

[1666]

Thanks that's helpful, however why do you think it's not a good idear to use an External DNS IP from our ISP, I work for an IT company and they use an external one, how can I convince them not too?

Also, how can I setup an internal DNS name for put intranet, ie

http://companyname.net?

Thanks

Andy

 

[brontosaurus]

Well, if you don't have a W2K domain set up, it's not AS important to do it that way, but it's definitely easier to troubleshoot problems if you do. Especially since you're looking to resolve an INTRANET address for your clients, which I'm assuming would NOT be accessible from the Internet? If that's the case, and if your clients were set up to go to your ISP first for name resolution, they'd be very sad when they tried to get to that intranet address. Plus, administratively, it would be easier for you...
Anyway, to set up that name, you'd need to fire up DNS manager and create both a Forward and Reverse lookup zone for your internal domain name. Then populate with host records as you see fit...

 

[1666]

Can we not install a second DNS server, or does it not work that way?

 

[brontosaurus]

what do you mean by second? I was assuming you didn't have any internal DNS servers yet? do you mean in the properties of the client NIC's?

 

[1666]

Sorry I didn't explain myself too well, can we install a second DNS server (internal) just for the intranet name resolution? And add the send IP address for this DNS server to the NIC's on the PC's?

Andy

 

[brontosaurus]

you could, but it would be much faster (for resolving names) if you allowed that server to forward out to your ISP on your client's behalf...

 

[1666]

Can you have more than one DNS server IP in the clients settings? So it would be best to have an internal DNS server only,how would I point this to the external one, through the gateway server (routing table?)....

 

[brontosaurus]

as per Ashley's FAQ, you'd point all your clients to your internal nameserver, then use Forwarding on your nameserver to get to the internet...

 

[ciaobaby]

You can setup a second DNS server, and sometime you should. This gives a backup DNS for your Active Directory, incase the server that handles the DNS goes down. The FAQ is very helpful, but only if you been around DNS a bit. Also if you follow the instructions you get the results you are looking for.

Here is what you can do, have one server setup so it only does internal DNS. The other can be used to forward your client lookups to the outside world as well as to the internal addresses. So in your DHCP setup use the two DNS server addresses (if you have DHCP, otherwise in the client's DNS). The one with the forwarder goes in first. Cause you will get lots of HTTP 404 errors if you put the one without the forwarder first. Also if one of the servers fails, your network still functions.

For the intranet it's really simple, just add a host record for the server that has your intranet site. But don't try to make it like "

http://www.inhouseserver.com"

this won't work, unless you setup whole new domain in DNS. You can have something like intranet.yourdomain.com. Just add "intranet" as a HOST and assign the webserver's IP in DNS.

Hope this helps.