Windows | Configure DNS Server in Windows

Configure DNS Server in Windows by installing the DNS role, creating forward and reverse lookup zones, and adding DNS records. This process enables efficient name resolution within your network.

DNS in A Simple Word

The Domain Name System (DNS) functions as a fictitious phone book for the Internet. Your device utilizes DNS to look up the specific IP addresses of the websites you enter into the address bar of your browser to locate them online. You no longer need to bother trying to remember the IP address of each website you wish to access thanks to this. DNS is a naming database that contains data about domain names and the IP addresses that go with them.

Additionally, it converts human-readable domain names such as www.operavps.com into their IPv4 or IPv6 equivalents, which are more difficult for people to remember and type out.

Prerequisites

To let this tutorial works correctly, provide the options below and move on.

• A server running Windows VPS.

• A user with administrative privileges.

• At least 4 GB RAM with 2 Cores CPU.

Install a DNS Server on Windows Server

Once you purchased your own Windows VPS to run Windows Server with any edition you prefer, you also need to have a pre-installed DNS server role. If you’re all set with this, skip this step to the next one. If not, review the required steps of installing the DNS server role to prepare to Configure DNS Server in Windows Server. As an administrator, you have the option of installing many server roles on a single computer or dedicating an entire server to one particular role. The Domain Name System (DNS) and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) roles can be implemented simultaneously on one server for convenience.

As you read in the prerequisites part, you must log in to your Windows Server as an administrator user. Then, follow the below steps to Install DNS Server.

Step 1. Click Start, then click Server Manager and open it. When you see the screen below, click on Add roles and features.

Step 2. Once you see the Before You Begin screen, click Next.

Step 3. After clicking the Next button in the previous step, you must see the Select installation type screen. There, select Role-based and feature-based installation and click on the Next button to continue.

Step 4. On the Select destination server screen, you should select the server from the server pool and click on the Next button.

Step 5. On the Select server roles, select the DNS server and click on the Next button.

A pop-up window will appear asking you to install some more tools for the DNS server. Check your needs if you want to install the tools, then proceed as necessary. You can see some more features for your DNS server in the following window. Read them attentively, and if necessary, add them.

Step 6. When you see the below screen, you should verify all settings. Then, click on the Install button to start the installation process.

Step 7. Now, you must see the Installation progress screen. Just wait till the installation is complete. When the installation is complete, click on the Close button to close the installation wizard.

Your system’s DNS Server role has been successfully installed. Go to your Server Manager right now. A box that represents the DNS role is visible. Now that the DNS server role has been installed, let’s move on to learn How to Configure DNS Server on Windows Server.

Remove the DNS Server Role

To uninstall the DNS Server role, run the following command:

Uninstall-WindowsFeature -Name DNS

Configure DNS Server in Windows Server (Visual Step)

Now that you have successfully installed DNS Server on your Windows Server, let’s go through the steps of this part to Configure DNS Server in Windows.

Step 1. Create a Forward Lookup Zone

Zones are the various parts of a domain namespace. In this step, to resolve the name to the IP address you must create a forward lookup zone. To do this, review the following instructions.

1. Open the Server Manager and click Tools > DNS. So, you can see the DNS manager will be opened.

2. Right-click on the server name and click on the New Zone.

3. Once you see the zone configuration wizard screen, click on the Next button.

4. Now, you must see the zone type selection screen. Just select the Primary zone and click on the Next button.

5. On the below screen, select Forward lookup zone and click on the Next button.

6. On the below screen, you will be asked for the name of the new zone. So, give your zone name and click on the Next button.

7. On the Zone File screen, select “Create a file with the file name” and click on the Next button.

8. Once the Dynamic Update screen is displayed, select “Do not allow dynamic update” and click on the Next button.

9. After viewing the below screen, click on the Finish button.

10. when you see your reverse lookup zone in the below screen, you’re done with this step.

Step 2. Create a Reverse Lookup Zone

You completed the first step to Configure DNS Server in Windows. You need to complete three more steps. In this step, you will review how to create a reverse lookup zone to resolve the IP address to the name. Just follow all the below-required actions.

1. On the DNS manager, right-click on the server name and click on the New Zone to view the zone creation wizard:

2. The Zone Type selection screen should be displayed. Select the Primary zone and click on the Next button.

3. On the Forward or Reverse Lookup Zone screen, select “Reverse lookup zone” and click on the Next button.

4. Once you see the Reverse Lookup Zone Name screen, select IPv4 Reverse Lookup Zone and click on the Next button.

5. As you see below, it is time to define your network id. Then, click on the Next button.

6. When the below screen is shown, select “Create a file with this file name” and click on the Next button.

7. Again on the Dynamic Update screen, select “Do not allow dynamic update” and click on the Next button.

8. When the below screen is displayed, click on the Finish button.

9. And finally, when you see your reverse lookup zone on the following screen, it says you have successfully completed the second step to Configure DNS Server in Windows Server.

Step 3. Add A and PTR Records to DNS

The third step to Configure DNS Server in Windows is to add A and PTR Records for remote hosts to perform name resolution. If you need to know about DNS Records, refer to our related article and come back to complete this step by adding A and PTR records to DNS.

1. On the DNS manager, right-click on the forward lookup zone. Then, click on the New Host (A or AAAA).

2. Now, define the parent domain name and IP address of your host in the below screen. then, select “Create associated pointer record” then click on the Add Host button.

3. When the below screen is displayed, click on the forward lookup zone.

By this, you can make sure that you have successfully completed the steps. Configuring DNS Server in Windows is done if you can see the above screen.

Configure DNS Server to Listen on a Specific Interface

Since a DNS server will listen for requests on all IP address interfaces by default, you can use the GUI or PowerShell to configure DNS server to listen on a specify interface.

Run PowerShell on your computer. Then, find your computers existing IP address by running the Get-NetIPAddress cmdlet. Make a note of the IP address that you want to use for your DNS server.

Test DNS Name Resolution

Once you are done with Installing and Configuring DNS Server, you are ready to verify if DNS Name Resolution works correctly.

Simply open your command line interface and run the following command:

nslookup

If you can view the name you provided for your server and your IP address in the output, you can continue by typing the FQDN of your added host:

> web.exampledns.com

You should see the name to IP address resolution in your output. If yes, type the IP address of your added host to see the IP address to name resolution and make sure everything is working correctly.

Conclusion

Properly setting up and maintaining a Windows DNS server improves network speed, reliability, and security, creating a solid technical foundation that directly supports organizational goals.

Windows | Microsoft Windows 2000 Server Installation

Microsoft Windows 2000 Server Installation sets up the OS on a server, including booting from media, hard drive partitioning, file system selection (preferably NTFS), licensing input, and network configuration. This enables features like file sharing and domain control. 

Prerequisite

If you want to install Windows 2000 Server personally on the server, you need to buy a dedicated server and install KVM or ESXI.

Then you must provide information during the Windows 2000 Server installation and configuration process, which includes the following:

• Determining hard disk partitioning options
• Determining the appropriate file system (FAT, FAT32, NTFS) for the partition
• Deciding on installing a domain or workgroup (if needed)
• Adjusting the language and zone for computer settings
• Regulating the licensing procedure

After entering the necessary information, you can start the installation process. In this tutorial, we will teach how to install Windows 2000 Advanced Server on a server or PC. You can install Windows 2000 Server both manually and non-manually (using Sysprep, RIS, and an unattended file with a database file).

To install Windows Server 2000, you need at least 128 MB of RAM and 2 GB of hard drive space.

Now let’s get started.

How to install Windows 2000 Server?

After booting Windows 2000 Server, the Windows Server setup process will start with a blue screen, follow the steps below to successfully install Windows 2000 Server:

1. Boot Windows 2000 server. By booting Windows 2000 server, the required files and drivers are loaded.

2. Click "To Setup W2K Now" and hit Enter to continue.

3. If you use the server for the first time or you have not partitioned the hard disk, you receive a warning message for partitioning, which you must read and press the C button to continue the installation process.

4. You will see license agreements that you must accept by using the f8 key after reading them to the end of the page.

5. Then specify options for partitioning the hard drive to install W2k (short for Windows 2000) and format the new partition using FAT, FAT32, or NTFS. There are several options for configuring the available disk:

• Create a partition to install Windows 2000 and specify its size and then press C. (the hard disk is not partitioned)
• Create a single partition the size of the entire hard disk and press Enter. (The hard disk is not partitioned)
• If the hard disk is partitioned, create an additional partition in the unpartitioned space

In this step, we will partition the hard drive into 3 logical drives. The first partition belongs to the operating system and must have enough space for the Windows operating system and Windows updates. The second partition is created for network applications, and the third partition is created for storing user data. After calculating and estimating the suitable spaces for each partition and determining them, press the Enter button and go to the next step. In this tutorial, we created a single partition and pressed the Enter button.

6. This step is dedicated to selecting the file system for the Windows 2000 server installation partition. After you have created a partition for W2K installation, you can select a file system for the W2K installation partition format in the setup section. Windows 2000 server is compatible with file allocation table (FAT) and FAT32 file systems and NTFS file system. You will lose features such as file-level security and Active Directory if you select FAT. Also, by choosing FAT, you will be unable to configure the server as a domain controller. In addition, Microsoft Windows 2000 Server allows access to data stored on NTFS-formatted local hard disks. So we choose NTFS.

7. Then Setup will copy the necessary files from the installation disk and this process may take up to 5 minutes.

8. After completing the process of copying the necessary files, press the Enter button to restart the system. As a result, the system is restarted in graphical mode.

9. Select Next to continue the setup process.

10. Then the device drivers are automatically downloaded based on what is recognized on your computer, and tools such as keyboards, etc. are installed. Wait for the process to complete, which may take a few minutes.

Note: When completing the progress bar, you may see the screen flicker or the progress bar freeze up (the progress bar is stuck halfway). This problem can be solved by turning off the computer, removing unnecessary hardware such as ISA cards, or disabling BIOS features before setup.

11. At this step, you can change languages and regions if needed. If you want to change the language and regions, select the Customize option. If you like the default settings, click the Next button.

Note: If you need to customize the regional settings, use the Current System Locale option to set the date, time, currency, etc. based on your location. Through the Current Keyboard Layout option, you can customize the special characters and symbols used in different languages on your keyboard.

12. Enter your name and organization (if needed) and click Next.

13. In this step, type the product key and click Next.

14. Specify the type of license and the number of licenses purchased.

15. In this step, fill in the computer name and administrator password fields.

Note: The local Administrator user account is available in the computer’s SAM( Security Account Manager), don’t look for it in Active Directory.
Note: If you plan to link a Windows 2000 server to a domain, you will need a predefined computer name that is created for that domain account.
16. At this step, we are allowed to specify the components that we intend to install.

17. In this step, configure Date and Time Settings and time zone and click Next.

18. Finally, you will face a page that displays the installation process for networking components. After a few minutes, you will see a network settings window that gives a warning about the network adapter. You receive this message when you do not have a network adapter or the network adapter does not support it. You can skip this step and go to the next step.

19. Enter the Networking Settings window, where you have two options: Typical Settings and Custom Settings.

Choose Typical settings if you have the following conditions:

• You use a router or server that manages DHCP.
• You have a computer that runs Internet Connection Sharing (ICS).
• You are in a work environment where you do not intend to start another server or Active Directory.

Custom settings are for when you want to customize your network settings.

So, based on your needs, choose one of these two options and press the Enter button.

20. If you select Typical Settings, the Workgroup or Computer Domain window will open. Answer the question,” Do you want this computer to be a member of a domain?” by selecting the No option and specifying the Workgroup or Domain window. And click on Next.

A network domain is a logical aggregation of computers with a central security database for storing security information. Centralized security and management are essential for computers in a domain because they allow an administrator to easily manage geographically dispersed computers.

Note: If you do not have the required permission to join a domain or you are a stand-alone computer, select the” default entry selected” and click Next.

21. As a result, the setup process ends by copying the files and completing the configuration process. Receiving the message “You have successfully completed Windows 2000 setup” will indicate success in setting up Windows 2000 server. Finish the Windows 2000 Server setup process by selecting the Finish option.

22. By selecting the Finish option, the system will reboot. Finally, you will get a CTRL-ALT-DEL window.

Note: If you are using a virtual machine, you must press Ctrl alt and delete to sign in. There is typically a menu option to send the control-alt-delete command to the guest as that keystroke will always affect the host.

23. After entering the username and password, you will be greeted by the Windows 2000 configure your server window, where you must select the option”I will configure this server later “and Next.

Congratulations, you have successfully installed Windows Server 2000.

Conclusion

Following a detailed, step-by-step installation and maintenance process for Microsoft Windows 2000 Server ensures a secure, efficient, and scalable IT infrastructure that minimizes downtime and supports business growth.