DNS on Additional Domain Controller

[darius hambleton]

All-

Is it necessary to have DNS installed on an Addittional
Domain Controller on a domain?
I'm thinking that if the initial Domain Controller fails I
will be in trouble because I will have 0 DNS.
If I do need DNS Server installed on the additional Domain
Controller, can anyone explain the DNS setup?

Thanks,

DH

 

[Jordan]

For Windows 2000 & above domains, it is recommended to configure your DNS as
AD-integrated (i.e. zone data will be stored in AD database) and have at
least 2 DNS servers for high availability. As the zones are AD-integrated,
normal replication will take care of synchronization.

See the following for more details:
How to Convert DNS Primary Server to Active Directory Integrated
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=198437

 

[David Adner]

Having at least 2 DNS servers is a good idea, just as having at least 2
DC's is. If you make both DC's DNS servers, then configure them to
point to each other and not themselves. The reason for this is if
there's a problem, it's possible to cause a DC that points only to
itself for DNS to be unable to find any other DC's and create an
"island" effect.