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Computer 'promotion' needn't mean AD problems

Serdar Yegulalp, Contributor
08.31.2005
Rating: -4.50- (out of 5)

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When a Windows 2003 Server is converted to a domain controller, a number of special domain name system entries are written to that machine's DNS Server (which is usually Microsoft's own DNS server, but a third-party server can also be used). These entries include information about the domain's global unique identifier (GUID), so that Active Directory can query DNS through the GUID address.

If an admin mistakenly promotes a computer to the status of domain controller without first installing and configuring DNS, then AD's DNS entries won't be written correctly. And when these special entries are missing, tests like the command-li

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ke dcdiag will fail on simple connectivity tests with the DNS server. The error message usually looks something like this:
's server GUID DNS name could not be resolved to an IP address. Check items such as the DNS server, DHCP and server name. Although the GUID DNS name (._msdcs.domain-name.local) couldn't be resolved, the server name () resolved to the IP address () and was pingable. Check that the IP address is registered correctly with the DNS server.

Obviously, a problem like this is going to cripple AD functionality, so here's how to fix it:

Serdar Yegulalp is editor of the Windows Power Users Newsletter. Check it out for the latest advice and musings on the world of Windows network administrators -- and please share your thoughts as well!

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