Notes on DNS Server Installation in Windows Server 2022

Introduction

• Overview of DNS (Domain Name System) as a cornerstone of LAN management.
• Focus on installing a standalone DNS server in Windows Server 2022.
• Configuration of primary forward and reverse lookup zones for both IPv4 and IPv6.
• Goal: Resolve DNS queries from a Windows 10 client.

Setup Overview

• Network Infrastructure: Two VMs connected via Hyper-V private switch:
  • VM1: Windows Server 2022 (DNS server)
  • VM2: Windows 10 Professional (client PC)
• DNS server named dns-bacon; authoritative source for bacon.com.
• No Active Directory involved (standalone installation).

Pre-Deployment Configuration

• Confirm machine names and IPv4/IPv6 addresses.
• Ensure connectivity between VMs.
• Emphasize static IP address for DNS functionality.

Installing the DNS Role

• Access Server Manager to add the DNS role:
  • Click on Add Roles and Features.
  • Follow the wizard for role-based installation.
  • Verify static IP address before proceeding.
  • Select DNS role and management tools.
• Installation completion and export configuration settings for future use.

DNS Management Snap-In

• Open DNS Manager to configure zones.
• Forward Lookup Zone: Resolves names to IP addresses.
  • Create a new zone:
    • Select Primary Zone (authoritative).
    • Zone name: bacon.com.
    • Disable dynamic updates (manual record creation).
• Initial records created:
  • Start of Authority (SOA) record.
  • Set up Name Server (NS) record.

Creating Records

• A Record (Host Record): Maps hostname to IPv4 address.
  • Create A record for dns-bacon:
    • Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN): dnsbacon.bacon.com.
    • IP Address: 192.168.0.1.
• Use nslookup to verify record resolution.
  • Check both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses.

Reverse Lookup Zone

• Create a Reverse Lookup Zone for IPv4:
  • Follow the wizard to set it up.
  • Enter network ID (e.g., 192.168.0.0/24).
  • Disable dynamic updates.
• Add PTR (Pointer) Record for reverse lookup:
  • Map IP address back to hostname.

Validation of DNS Records

• Use nslookup to check:
  • Verify A record and PTR records are resolving correctly.
  • Test both IPv4 and IPv6 resolutions.

Finalizing Setup

• Windows 10 client setup to use DNS server 192.168.0.1.
• Create A record for Windows 10 client pc01:
  • IP Address: 192.168.0.10.
  • Enable reverse lookup during creation.
• Confirm successful lookups for both hosts:
  • Check FQDN for pc01 and its IP address.

Conclusion

• Successfully set up a standalone DNS server with forward and reverse lookup zones for both IPv4 and IPv6.
• Future videos will cover additional LAN management topics.
• Encourage further exploration of the DNS and network management fundamentals.