Chapter 3. Managing Name Resolution

Terms you'll need to understand:

	Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS)
	WINS Proxy Agent
	LMHOSTS
	Tombstoning
	Persistent Connections
	Push/pull partner
	Hostnames
	Domain name system (DNS)
	Recursive and iterative queries
	Primary, secondary, and stub zones
	Dynamic update
	Delegation
	Caching-only server
	Root name server
	Resource records

Techniques you'll need to master:

	Understanding NetBIOS name resolution methods
	Installing and configuring WINS
	Configuring a WINS proxy agent
	Configuring replication between WINS servers
	Managing and monitoring a WINS server
	Installing and configuring the DNS Server service
	Configuring zones
	Understanding a caching-only server
	Understanding DNS zone types
	Managing zones and resource records
	Implementing a delegated zone for DNS
	Monitoring a DNS server

Each machine on a computer network is assigned a unique network address. Computers communicate with one another across networks by connecting to these network addresses. These numbers, also known as Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, consist of four groups of numbers, or octets, and can be difficult for people to remember. To solve this dilemma, a system was developed whereby people can use "friendly" names that are then translated automatically into IP addresses that computers use to locate each other and to communicate. These friendly names are called hostnames, and each machine is assigned one. Groups of these hosts form a domain. The software that translates these names to network addresses is called the Domain Name System (DNS).

Before the advent of DNS, HOSTS files were used for name resolution, but as the Internet quickly grew in size and popularity, HOSTS files became impossible to maintain and keep current. When the Internet community realized there was a need for a more manageable, scalable, and efficient name-resolution system, DNS was created. Since that time, DNS servers have been used on the Internet almost exclusively.

Before the introduction of Windows 2000, Network Basic Input/Output System (NetBIOS) names were used to identify computers, services, and other resources on Windows-based machines. In the early days of Windows networks, LMHOSTS files were used for NetBIOS name resolution. Later, these names were often resolved to IP addresses using a NetBIOS Name Server (NBNS). Microsoft's version of the NBNS was called Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS). With Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003, hostnames are used instead of NetBIOS names. In a Windows Server 2003 domain, DNS is used to resolve hostnames and locate resources such as network services.

This chapter introduces the Windows Server 2003 implementation of WINS and DNS. You'll learn how to install and configure both name resolution services, as well as how to maintain and monitor them. Having a thorough understanding of the topics presented here is important to both the exam and on-the-job success.