How to Install and Configure DNS on Windows Server 2016

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This guide demos how to install and configure DNS on Windows Server 2016.

Step 1: Install the DNS Server Role

To install DNS role on Windows Server 2016:

• Logon to the server you want to install DNS role (preferably a domain controller). Then open Server Manager.
• At Server Manager, click Manage and select Add Roles or Features.

• When the Add Role and Features Wizard opens, click Next.

• At Select installation type screen, select Role-based or feature-based installation. Then click Next.

• When the screen to select a destination server opens, click Next.

• On Select server roles screen, check the box beside DNS Server. When prompted to Add features that are required for DNS server, click Add Features.

• When you return to Server roles selection screen, click Next.

• Before you proceed to install DNS role on Windows Server 2016, read the info about DNS. Then click Next.

• Finally, to install DNS role on Windows Server 2016, click Install.

• When the installation is completed, click Close.

Step 2: Configure the DNS Server Role

The next step to install and configure DNS on Windows Server 2016 is to perform the configuration.

For a DNS Server to function, it requires a Forward Lookup zone and a Reverse lookup zone. The steps in this guide demos how to create a Forward and Reverse lookup zone in DNS Server 2016.

Create a Forward Lookup Zone in DNS Server 2016

Here are the steps:

• From Server Manager, click Tools. Then select DNS.

• When DNS Manager opens, expand the DNS server.

• Then Right-click Forward Lookup Zones and click New Zone…

• On the Welcome to New Zone Wizard, click Next.

• Then on the Zone Type screen, select your zone type and click Next.

• On this screen, select the Active Directory Zone Replication Scope. If you are not sure, accept the default (shown). Then click Next.

• Enter a zone name and click Next.

• On the Dynamic Update screen, select an option and click Next. If the zone is AD-integrated zone, the first option is recommended.

• Finally, to create a Forward Lookup Zone, click Finish.

Create a Reverse Lookup Zone in DNS Server 2016

The last step to install and configure DNS on Windows Server 2016 is to create a Reverse Lookup Zone.

Here are the steps:

• Right-click Reverse Lookup Zones. Then select New Zone…

• On the Welcome screen, click Next.

• Then select your Zone Type and click Next.

• If you checked to store zone in AD in the previous screen, select an AD replication scope. Then click Next.

• Then select Reverse Lookup Zone Name (default is IPv4). Click Next.

• Enter the Network ID (the the Reverse Lookup Zone Name is determined automatically). Click Next.

• Finally, select your zone Dynamic Update type and click Next.

• Then click Finish.

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Conclusion

To install and configure DNS on Windows Server 2016: Install the DNS role, then configure Forward and Reverse Lookup Zones.

With this basic configuration, your DNS server should be able to provide name resolutions.

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For more Windows Server guides visit our Windows Server How To page.

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