When you install a Windows 2000 Server domain controller and install Active Directory, one task that runs is the installation of Windows 2000 Server's DNS server.
DNS is sometimes referred as Domain Name System; other times, Domain Name Service. Although the names are interchangeable, Microsoft tends to use Service, while most Internet users prefer System.
DNS is a hierarchical database containing names and addresses for IP networks and hosts. It is used almost universally to provide name resolution. Domain Name Services are invisible but essential components of corporate networks, since users cannot be expected to remember dozens of IP addresses.
Because Active Directory is based on DNS, it uses the DNS extensively. For the most part, you might not have to touch the DNS configuration, unless you want to link external DNS servers, or have other DNS servers on your network that you want to share information with.
If you have a Windows 2000 Server that is not a domain controller, you will need to install DNS manually. To install DNS server manually:
- Open the Control Panel.
- Click on Windows Component Wizard.
- Start the Add/Remove Programs applet.
- Select Networking Services, then click on the Details button.
- Check the checkbox next to Domain Name System service.
- Click the OK button.
- The Windows Component Wizard will now prompt you for the Windows 2000 Server CD-ROM if it needs to copy files.
- When installation is completed, a confirmation will be displayed.
- Click OK.
Your DNS Server is now installed.
About the author: Rahul Shah currently works at a software firm in India, where he is a systems administrator maintaining Windows servers. He has also worked for various software firms in testing and analytics, and also has experiences deploying client/server applications in different Windows configurations.
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