How to Install and Configure a Standalone DNS Server

Setting up a standalone DNS server is a fundamental step in managing network resources efficiently. While numerous DNS servers exist, customizing your own ensures tailored control and enhanced security. In this guide, we’ll delve into the installation and configuration of DNS servers on Windows Server platforms, streamlining the process for seamless implementation. Please see how to Change Active Directory Domain name from dot local to dot com, Domain Naming System: Enabling DNS over TLS in Windows 11.

What is DNS?

DNS, or Domain Name System (DNS) is like an address book for the internet translating domain names into IP addresses. It simplifies web navigation by eliminating the need to recall complex numerical addresses known as IP addresses, facilitating seamless communication between devices across the internet.

Please see how to install and configure Active Directory Domain Services on Windows Server 2022, Why you should not use Public DNS in Production: Change DNS Server in Windows, how to Create a Windows Server VM on HyperV, and how to Install Hyper-V and Configure vSwitch on Windows Server with PowerShell.

How to Install a DNS Server on Windows

Before embarking on the installation journey, certain prerequisites must be met:

• A computer running a supported version of Windows Server.
• A static IP.
• An account that is a member of the Administrators group, or equivalent.

Installing DNS Server Role

Launch the Server Manager and navigate to the Local Server section and click on ‘Manage‘

Select the ‘Add roles and features‘ option under the Configure this local server.

Proceed through the installation wizard, opting for the ‘Role-based or feature-based installation.’

Choose the ‘Select server from the server pool‘ and select the DNS server role.

Review additional features for installation, if required, and proceed.

Select the DNS server role from the checklist and advance to the next stage.

Customize additional features as per your requirements and confirm the installation.

Upon successful installation, the DNS Server role will be visible in the Server Manager dashboard.

Configure DNS Server Interface

Typically, a DNS server will accept requests across all IP address interfaces. However, you have the option to specify which interface the DNS server listens on.

Here’s how to configure the interface designated for handling DNS requests using the DNS Manager console:

Navigate to the Start menu from the Windows desktop, then go to Windows Administrative Tools > DNS.

Right-click (or select and hold) your server, then choose Properties.

To restrict the DNS server to utilize only a particular IP address, opt for “Only the following IP address,” pick the desired IP address, and confirm by selecting OK.

Configure root hints

Root hints servers help in resolving DNS address information when the DNS server cannot resolve the query locally from a hosted zone or the DNS server cache. By default, root hints name servers are preloaded in new installations.

It’s not recommended to remove all root hints servers. Instead, you can configure your DNS server to not utilize root hint name servers by choosing the Disable recursion server option in the Advanced tab of the DNS Manager console. Disabling recursion also deactivates any configured forwarders. Alternatively, you can deselect the option to Use root hints if no forwarders are available in the Forwarders tab.

Here’s how to edit root hints using the DNS Manager console:

Navigate to the Windows desktop, open the Start menu, and select Windows Administrative Tools > DNS.

Select your server, hold (or right-click) it, then choose Properties.

Go to the Root Hints tab, select the item you want to edit, and click Edit.

Enter the fully qualified domain name, then select Resolve. Verify the IP address and make any necessary edits. Then click OK.

Review the updated root hint server in the list, and when ready, click OK.

Configuring the DNS Server Zone:

Open the Server Manager and access the ‘Tools’ section, followed by selecting ‘DNS‘.

Next, configure the zones. Zones represent distinct segments of a domain namespace. Right-click on the DNS server, select ‘Configure a DNS Server‘ to launch the DNS Server wizard.

On the welcome page of the DNS wizard configuration click Next.

The wizard presents three options. Here’s a breakdown:

• Forward and reverse lookup zone: Resolves IP addresses into domain names.
• Forward lookup zone: Resolves domain names into IP addresses.
• Root hints only: Provides IP addresses of DNS servers where records can be obtained.

Choose from three configuration options: Forward and reverse lookup zones, Forward lookup zone, or Root hints only, based on your network requirements.

Specify your primary server location.

Create the Zone name.

On the Zone file page, click next.

Select ‘Do not allow dynamic updates‘ and click Next.

You can optionally configure a forwarder to resolve DNS address or simply select No and click Next.

Complete the DNS server configuration by clicking the Finish button.

Bravo! You have successfully created the forward zone.

Right-click on the created zone to create DNS records within the configured zones, including A-records, MX records, NS records, and CNAME records, to facilitate seamless network navigation.

Also, configure reverse lookup zones to map IP addresses to corresponding domain names, enhancing network accessibility and navigation.

Removing the DNS Server role

Here’s how you can uninstall the DNS server role using Server Manager on your Windows desktop:

Open the Start menu from the Windows desktop, then click on the Server Manager tile. Navigate to Manage on the menu, and then click on Remove Roles and Features.

On the “Before you begin” page, click Next to proceed.

On the “Select destination server” page, choose the server from which you wish to remove the DNS server role service, then click Next.

Uncheck the ‘DNS Server’ checkbox from the list.

You’ll receive a prompt to remove features dependent on DNS Server; click Remove Features, then Next to proceed.

On the “Remove features” page, you can retain the default selections, then click Next.

Review the selected roles and features on the “Confirm removal selections” page, then click Remove.

Once the role and feature are removed, click Close and restart your computer to finalize the uninstallation.

Conclusion

By following these comprehensive steps, you can seamlessly install and configure a standalone DNS server on Windows Server platforms, empowering efficient network resource management and streamlined internet connectivity.

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