Resolve a name to an IP address (Like using the HOSTS file)

[Brent Cook]

I would like my Win2K DNS server to resolve smtp.jubbawubba.com to a
specific internet IP address I specify, but still allow any other
jubbawubba.com address to be resolved by internet DNS servers. (For
instance www.jubbawubba.com would still go to the jubbawubba.com website)
I can accomplish the result I want by editing the hosts file on a client
machine, but there is no way I'm going to hoof it around to every client
machine and do that!

I'm sure this is something insanely simple..... but I don't know what it is.
I tried creating a forward lookup zone jubbawubba.com, but it intercepted
everything, and didn't work.

Thank you!

 

[Herb Martin]

I would like my Win2K DNS server to resolve smtp.jubbawubba.com to a
specific internet IP address I specify, but still allow any other
jubbawubba.com address to be resolved by internet DNS servers.

You can add a zone of that name (the entire thing) with
an A record for the zone itself pointing to your desired
address -- smtp.jubbawubba.com.

What most people don't realize about DNS is that
that there is little if any difference between what we
(humans) call a domain and what we call a server name.

In fact in traditional DNS terminology, all names are
domains (although this is not a common way of discussing
DNS these days.)

(For
instance www.jubbawubba.com would still go to the jubbawubba.com website)

Don't create the jubbawubba.com, but rather go another
level down as if smtp.jubbawubba.com were an ordinary
zone for that domain name.

I can accomplish the result I want by editing the hosts file on a client
machine, but there is no way I'm going to hoof it around to every client
machine and do that!

If you want to do it for only a few addresses the zone
method works. If you want to do it for thousands there
are other methods (e.g., loading a BIND DNS server cache).

I'm sure this is something insanely simple..... but I don't know what it is.
I tried creating a forward lookup zone jubbawubba.com, but it intercepted
everything, and didn't work.

Right click and create ZONE name smtp.jubbawubba.com
Add the A record (same as parent) and the IP address there.

 

[Brent Cook]

Right click and create ZONE name smtp.jubbawubba.com
Add the A record (same as parent) and the IP address there.

Thank you Herb. This worked perfectly!
After creating the Forward Lookup Zone smtp.jubbawubba.com, I right
clicked on it and created a "New Alias". I left the Alias Name field
blank, and entered the new target smtp servers. I restarted the DNS
service just for good measure, and what do you know... it worked.
There were a couple XP machines that needed to be restarted to clear a bad
cache, but that's it for problems.

A couple of things: I set this zone up as the default selection, "Standard
Primary" whereas I usually set them up as Active Directory Integrated. I'm
assuming it makes no difference in this case, as this is just one address,
very simple.

I have 2 win2k DNS servers running. I find if I add a zone to one, it
doesn't add it to the other one. I have to do it manually. Is this the
way it's supposed to work?

Once again, thank you for helping me out with this.

-Brent

 

[Herb Martin]

Thank you Herb. This worked perfectly!

After creating the Forward Lookup Zone smtp.jubbawubba.com, I right
clicked on it and created a "New Alias". I left the Alias Name field
blank, and entered the new target smtp servers. I restarted the DNS
service just for good measure, and what do you know... it worked.

You're welcome -- glad to help.

There were a couple XP machines that needed to be restarted to clear a bad
cache, but that's it for problems.

They would have timed out (eventually, within a day) or
you could have (really should have) just cleared the cache
on any such client with:

ipconfig /flushdns

A couple of things: I set this zone up as the default selection, "Standard
Primary" whereas I usually set them up as Active Directory Integrated. I'm
assuming it makes no difference in this case, as this is just one address,
very simple.

No, there is no real advantage (and probably some slight
disadvantage to using AD): one record, never changes, etc.

I have 2 win2k DNS servers running. I find if I add a zone to one, it
doesn't add it to the other one. I have to do it manually. Is this the
way it's supposed to work?

Each DNS server is separate.

You will have to create a SECONDARY on each
of your other DNS servers to get consistent results across
your network.

Once again, thank you for helping me out with this.

Anytime I can; pass it on...