DNS

[Cheryl]

Is it necessary to have DNS loaded on a server that
actually uses DNS from another server? I have 4 servers
on site and 2 servers off-site in separate locations. I
have one on-site server setup as the DNS for the agency.
All servers currently point to that server for DNS. We
had consultants involved in setting up the W2K
enviroment. I noticed that one off-site server has DNS
loaded but not configures. The other off-site server
does not. I am currently have problems with the DNS
working properly on the latter server.

So, back to the originally questions --- Is it necessary
to have DNS software loaded on a server that actually
points to another server with DNS configured on it?

 

[Kevin D. Goodknecht [MVP]]

In

Is it necessary to have DNS loaded on a server that
actually uses DNS from another server? I have 4 servers
on site and 2 servers off-site in separate locations. I
have one on-site server setup as the DNS for the agency.
All servers currently point to that server for DNS. We
had consultants involved in setting up the W2K
enviroment. I noticed that one off-site server has DNS
loaded but not configures. The other off-site server
does not. I am currently have problems with the DNS
working properly on the latter server.

So, back to the originally questions --- Is it necessary
to have DNS software loaded on a server that actually
points to another server with DNS configured on it?

The answer to that depends on if there are any machines using it for DNS. If
there are machines pointing to it for DNS then it needs DNS or it cannot
answer.
Case in point, all DCs in an AD domain all DCs should point to the first DNS
server set up in the domain as their preferred DNS. Then they can point to
another DC with DNS as Alternate. But additional DCs beyond the first
generally not recommended to point to its own address for DNS. The First DC
with DNS should always use itself for DNS. This prevents the DNS island
issue.
275278 - DNS Server Becomes an Island When a Domain Controller Points to
Itself for the _Msdcs.ForestDnsName Domain
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;275278&FR=1