DNS and UNIX

[norma]

I work at a university where our campus has a UNIX server
that supports DNS on the network using static records.

We have our own subdomain and had a NT PDC which we just
upgraded to 2000 Domain Controller. When prompted for our
domain name in the installation I input subdomain.domain
without adding the .ca on the end. We are using the UNIX
DNS server to resolve names and DNS is not set up in
Active Directory. The IT department asked me to forward a
copy of the netlogon.dns file to them so they can add
entries into their UNIX DNS records for our subdomain.
They are saying that I should have added the .ca at the
end and that it will cause problems. I don't believe that
is true if I am not using AD integrated DNS. All of our
2000 servers including the DC point to the UNIX DNS
server. Our workstations are functioning correctly and
there seems to be no connectivity issues.

If I listen to them, I have to re-install my DC and that
would mean losing my user accounts and starting fresh
again which I don't want to do. Can anyone point me to
documentation or proof that I can give our IT department
that will ease their concerns. We also were seen on the
network as subdomain.domain before the upgrade and are
still seen the same way. I can't see what the issue is.

Thanks. If you could email me directly that would be
greatly appreciated.

 

[Kevin D. Goodknecht [MVP]]

In norma <[email protected]> posted a question
Then Kevin replied below:
: I work at a university where our campus has a UNIX server
: that supports DNS on the network using static records.
:
: We have our own subdomain and had a NT PDC which we just
: upgraded to 2000 Domain Controller. When prompted for our
: domain name in the installation I input subdomain.domain
: without adding the .ca on the end. We are using the UNIX
: DNS server to resolve names and DNS is not set up in
: Active Directory. The IT department asked me to forward a
: copy of the netlogon.dns file to them so they can add
: entries into their UNIX DNS records for our subdomain.
: They are saying that I should have added the .ca at the
: end and that it will cause problems. I don't believe that
: is true if I am not using AD integrated DNS. All of our
: 2000 servers including the DC point to the UNIX DNS
: server. Our workstations are functioning correctly and
: there seems to be no connectivity issues.
:
: If I listen to them, I have to re-install my DC and that
: would mean losing my user accounts and starting fresh
: again which I don't want to do. Can anyone point me to
: documentation or proof that I can give our IT department
: that will ease their concerns. We also were seen on the
: network as subdomain.domain before the upgrade and are
: still seen the same way. I can't see what the issue is.
:
: Thanks. If you could email me directly that would be
: greatly appreciated.

Install DNS on the DC then have them delegate these four sub-domains to the
Win2k DNS. Then everyone is happy there is a KB article on how to use Win2k
domains in an existing DNS infrastructure.
_msdcs
_sites
_tcp
_udp

Then just point the DC to its own address for DNS everyone else can use the
Unix.
Print this KB and give it to the Unix DNS admin, it is a lot easier than
creating all the Records.
301190 - HOW TO: Integrate Windows 2000 DNS with an Existing DNS
Infrastructure in Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;301190&Product=win2000

 

[norma]

Thanks Kevin for the quick response. I will pass on that
article to the IT guys.

Norma