Not sure how to ask this question...

[Kerbouchard]

I've been helping a buddy secure his network. It's got a mix of NT4.0(DNS Server) and 2000 servers. This is a remote office that communicates with the main office. One DNS server with an external IP address is at the remote office and one DNS server with an external IP address is at the home office.

The DHCP is set up so that these two DNS servers are assigned to all computers. However their internet provider gave them two different DNS addresses.

Can someone tell me what is going on? I don't know a whole lot about DNS and this really has me confused.

They access various servers using the DNS name and a port number. Also, I want to set up a PIX with NATing.

 

[jsauce]

I'm not sure what your question is exactly?
Just because your ISP gives you dns doesn't mean you have to use it. There are advantages to running your own DNS, it allows you to host your domain records. It also allows you to speed up the process of domain lookups. If thats not what you were wondering, please explain.

John D. Saucier
jsauce@magicguild.com
Certified Technician
Network Administrator

 

[GlenJohnson]

This is a shot in the dark, but it's based on how I set up my networks. All clients have only the local dns server set for name resolution. The servers however, have themselves and external, (ISP provided), dns numbers. When a client contacts the local dns server for name resolution, if the local server has the name in it's dns database, it passes it back at once. If it doesn't have it, it contacts the isp's dns servers, get's name resolution there, then places it in it's database. This way, the next time a client tries to contact the site it first tried to contact, the local dns server has the name in it's database, and the client gets there that much faster. Does this help?

Glen A. Johnson
"To fear the worst oft cures the worse."
William Shakespeare (1564-1616); English dramatist, poet.

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[Kerbouchard]

Thanks much to both of you! Glen I think that was it. I had never had to learn much about DNS before but there's nothing like jumping in with two feet.