Installing DNS on a Windows 2000 or 2003 Server

Because it's so closely tied to the Active Directory and Windows 2000, installing and managing the DNS server for Windows 2000 and Server 2003 when using the Active Directory is covered in greater detail in the next chapter. Windows clients in the network use DNS to locate domain controllers, which hold the Active Directory database. When you decide to promote a Windows 2000 or 2003 server to become a domain controller, you'll be prompted to install a DNS server as well, unless another DNS server already exists on the network. After the domain controller has been properly configured, it will register records in DNS that enable clients to find the domain controllers in the domain.

However, you can always install a DNS server on the Windows 2000 or 2003 Server whether or not you decide to use the Active Directory. For example, you might have a few Windows servers in a Unix network and decide to use Microsoft's version of DNS because you find the graphical interface easy to use ( tired of editing those text files and making a mistake?). Or you might want to install additional DNS servers to provide a backup for a primary DNS server. You don't have to install the DNS service on just a domain controller, but the system must be a Windows 2000 or 2003 Server.

Installing the service is just as simple as installing the WINS service:

1. Click Start, Programs, Control Panel (Start/Control Panel for 2003).

2. From the Control Panel, double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon.

3. When the Add Remove Programs window pops up, click Add/Remove Windows Components (on the left part of the window). The Add Remove Programs window now displays a Components button in the upper-right side of the window. Click the Components button, and the Windows Components Wizard dialog box pops up.

4. Scroll down until you find Networking Services and highlight it by clicking it once. Then click the Details button.

5. When the Networking Services dialog box appears, scroll down until you find Domain Name System (DNS). Click the check box next to the component and click OK.

6. When prompted, insert the Windows 2000 or 2003 source CD into your CD-ROM drive and then wait a minute or so while files are copied to your hard drive. When the Windows Components Wizard window reappears, click Next.

7. Another window appears, titled Completing the Windows Components Wizard. Click Finish.

8. When the Add Remove Programs window reappears, click OK or Close.

Chapter 31, "Using the Active Directory," looks more closely at how managing DNS on a Windows 2000/2003 server is done using the MMC console, as well as how DNS can be installed at the same time, and integrated into the Active Directory.