DNS essentials

In a Windows Server environment, the DNS service can be run as an individual service or as an AD-integrated service. Either way, there are core DNS components, methodologies, and terms, which will be applied to both scenarios.

DNS records

The DNS database holds various types of resource records. In an AD-integrated DNS setup, some of these records will be created automatically when adding resources to the domain, when change settings in resources, and when installing/removing domain controllers (SRV records, A and AAAA records). Other types of resource records will need to be added to the DNS server (static) based on infrastructure requirements.

Start of authority record

Each DNS zone must have a start of authority (SOA) record, and it is created when a zone is created for the first time. This record provides lots of general information for the DNS zones, such as the following:

• Primary server: The best DNS source for the zone.
• Responsible person: The email address of the zone administrator...