Adding a DNS server to your Active Directory (AD) environment is crucial for name resolution and ensuring proper network functionality. Here's how you can do it:
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Open Server Manager: Locate and open Server Manager from the taskbar or Start menu on your server.
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Add Roles and Features Wizard: In Server Manager, navigate to the upper-right corner and select "Manage" -> "Add Roles and Features". This will launch the Add Roles and Features Wizard.
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Select Installation Type: On the "Installation Type" screen, choose "Role-based or feature-based installation" and click "Next".
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Select Destination Server: Select the server where you want to install the DNS server role. This is typically the domain controller. Click "Next".
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Select Server Roles: On the "Server Roles" screen, check the boxes next to both "Active Directory Domain Services" and "DNS Server".
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Add Required Features: When you check "Active Directory Domain Services", a popup may appear asking if you want to add required features. Click "Add Features". Do the same if a similar popup appears when you check "DNS Server".
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Features: You can typically skip the "Features" screen (unless you have specific feature requirements beyond the defaults) and click "Next."
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AD DS Information: Read the information about Active Directory Domain Services and click "Next".
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DNS Server Information: Read the information about the DNS Server and click "Next".
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Confirmation: Review the installation selections on the "Confirm installation selections" screen. It's a good practice to check the box that says "Restart the destination server automatically if required". Click "Install".
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Installation Progress: The installation process will begin. Monitor the progress and wait for it to complete.
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Post-Deployment Configuration: After the installation completes, you will need to promote the server to a domain controller if you installed Active Directory Domain Services, and configure DNS zones if you only added the DNS server role to an existing domain controller. If installing both roles together, the DNS will typically integrate with your AD automatically.
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Promote to Domain Controller (if necessary): If you've installed Active Directory Domain Services on a server that isn't yet a domain controller, a notification flag will appear in the Server Manager dashboard after the installation completes. Click the flag and select "Promote this server to a domain controller". Follow the prompts to configure your domain.
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Configure DNS Zones: Verify the DNS zones are created and configured properly. Typically, if integrated with Active Directory, forward and reverse lookup zones are created automatically. Open the DNS Manager (Tools -> DNS in Server Manager) and inspect the zones.
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Important Considerations:
- Ensure your server meets the minimum hardware and software requirements for Active Directory Domain Services and DNS Server.
- It is generally recommended to install the DNS Server role on a domain controller for Active Directory-integrated DNS.
- Properly configure forward and reverse lookup zones to ensure name resolution works correctly.
- Review DNS settings and configure forwarders, if necessary, for external name resolution.
- Test DNS resolution after installation and configuration to verify functionality.
