The DNS server could not find or open zone file dns\cache.dns??????????

[Bob Doyle]

The DNS server could not find or open zone file dns\cache.dns. in the %SystemRoot%\System32\Dns directory. Verify that the zone file is located in this directory and that it contains valid data.

I am getting this message logged. I'm new to DNS. HELP!!!!!!!!!!


Thanks,
Bob

 

[Steve Duff [MVP]]

Look in \WINNT\System32\DNS and see if there is a CACHE.DNS file
there and see if it can be opened (check file permissions, etc.)

If not, you probably just need to restore it. Look in the \Samples and/or \Backup
subfolders for a copy. If all else fails, you can download the file from InterNIC
here: ftp://ftp.internic.net/domain/named.root -- rename this file or just copy in
the text.

CACHE.DNS contains the "root hints" that allow your DNS to locate root
name servers on the Internet. If you are using your ISP as a forwarder,
root hints aren't essential, but it is better if you restore it. (If your DNS is working
to find public names even without this file, that is the reason.)

If you are not Internet-connected, you can just create an empty
CACHE.DNS, or adjust the DNS server properties not to try to load root hints at all.

Steve Duff, MCSE
Ergodic Systems, Inc.
The DNS server could not find or open zone file dns\cache.dns. in the %SystemRoot%\System32\Dns directory. Verify that the zone file is located in this directory and that it contains valid data.

I am getting this message logged. I'm new to DNS. HELP!!!!!!!!!!


Thanks,
Bob

 

[Herb Martin]

Seems that you cache file is missing...

The copy below my signature will get your started...

--
Herb Martin

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
;
; cache.dns -- DNS CACHE FILE
;
; Initial cache data for root domain servers.
;
; YOU SHOULD CHANGE:
; -> Nothing if connected to the Internet. Edit this file only when
; updated root name server list is released.
; OR
; -> If NOT connected to the Internet, remove these records and replace
; with NS and A records for the DNS server authoritative for the
; root domain at your site.
;
; Note, if you are a root domain server, for your own private intranet,
; no cache is required, and you may edit your boot file to remove
; it.
;

; This file holds the information on root name servers needed to
; initialize cache of Internet domain name servers
; (e.g. reference this file in the "cache . <file>"
; configuration file of BIND domain name servers).
;
; This file is made available by InterNIC
; under anonymous FTP as
; file /domain/named.root
; on server FTP.INTERNIC.NET
;
; last update: Nov 5, 2002
; related version of root zone: 2002110501
;
;
; formerly NS.INTERNIC.NET
;
.. 3600000 IN NS A.ROOT-SERVERS.NET.
A.ROOT-SERVERS.NET. 3600000 A 198.41.0.4
;
; formerly NS1.ISI.EDU
;
.. 3600000 NS B.ROOT-SERVERS.NET.
B.ROOT-SERVERS.NET. 3600000 A 128.9.0.107
;
; formerly C.PSI.NET
;
.. 3600000 NS C.ROOT-SERVERS.NET.
C.ROOT-SERVERS.NET. 3600000 A 192.33.4.12
;
; formerly TERP.UMD.EDU
;
.. 3600000 NS D.ROOT-SERVERS.NET.
D.ROOT-SERVERS.NET. 3600000 A 128.8.10.90
;
; formerly NS.NASA.GOV
;
.. 3600000 NS E.ROOT-SERVERS.NET.
E.ROOT-SERVERS.NET. 3600000 A 192.203.230.10
;
; formerly NS.ISC.ORG
;
.. 3600000 NS F.ROOT-SERVERS.NET.
F.ROOT-SERVERS.NET. 3600000 A 192.5.5.241
;
; formerly NS.NIC.DDN.MIL
;
.. 3600000 NS G.ROOT-SERVERS.NET.
G.ROOT-SERVERS.NET. 3600000 A 192.112.36.4
;
; formerly AOS.ARL.ARMY.MIL
;
.. 3600000 NS H.ROOT-SERVERS.NET.
H.ROOT-SERVERS.NET. 3600000 A 128.63.2.53
;
; formerly NIC.NORDU.NET
;
.. 3600000 NS I.ROOT-SERVERS.NET.
I.ROOT-SERVERS.NET. 3600000 A 192.36.148.17
;
; operated by VeriSign, Inc.
;
.. 3600000 NS J.ROOT-SERVERS.NET.
J.ROOT-SERVERS.NET. 3600000 A 192.58.128.30
;
; housed in LINX, operated by RIPE NCC
;
.. 3600000 NS K.ROOT-SERVERS.NET.
K.ROOT-SERVERS.NET. 3600000 A 193.0.14.129
;
; operated by IANA
;
.. 3600000 NS L.ROOT-SERVERS.NET.
L.ROOT-SERVERS.NET. 3600000 A 198.32.64.12
;
; housed in Japan, operated by WIDE
;
.. 3600000 NS M.ROOT-SERVERS.NET.
M.ROOT-SERVERS.NET. 3600000 A 202.12.27.33
; End of File

 

[Dean Wells [MVP]]

The DNS server could not find or open zone file dns\cache.dns. in the
%SystemRoot%\System32\Dns directory. Verify that the zone file is
located in this directory and that it contains valid data.

I am getting this message logged. I'm new to DNS. HELP!!!!!!!!!!


Thanks,
Bob

The cache.dns file maintains a list of root servers that the name server
can contact when attempting to resolve names outside of it's own local
knowledge. The file is supplied with all Windows name servers by
default. It would appear that the file has been deleted (or at the
least, the name server is unable to read the file due to corruption or
inadequate permissions etc).

Simply copying a cache.dns file from another name server into the
%windir%\system32\dns directory should remove the error.

HTH

Dean