As part of a DNS server configuration, it is also possible to create and configure an internal root DNS zone for an environment. When we create it manually, the DNS forwarders and DNS Root Hints that resolve external DNS queries automatically get disabled. That is how we can stop external name resolutions by using an internal root zone. Once we have created a root zone, it acts as a parent zone for all the root zones. Having said this overview, this article covers how to create and configure a Root DNS Zone in a step-by-step approach. We use Windows Server 2022 for this configuration. However, the instruction also applies to other versions of Windows Server OSes.

Other DNS articles:

1. How to Install DNS Service Using PowerShell and Server Manager?
2. Configure DNS Forwarder and DNS Conditional Forwarder.
3. Detailed Instruction to Create and Configure DNS Zones.

Steps to Create and Configure a Root DNS Zone

With the above brief overview in mind, let’s get our hands dirty and go through the steps to create and configure a root DNS zone in Windows Server 2022.

1. Press down the Windows key + R keys on your keyboard to open the Run dialogue box.

2. Type indnsmgmt.msc command and press enter.

3. Expand the server name on the DNS Manager console. Then, right-click on the Forward Lookup Zone and select the New Zone option. Click Next on the Welcome Wizard afterward.

4. On the Zone Type section, select the zone type for your new zone and click Next. In our example, we chose the Primary zone for which we check the first option and uncheck the last option.

5. Put only a dot (.) in the Zone name box and click Next to continue.

6. On the Zone File section, specify a name for the zone file or leave it as its default. Then, click on the Next button.

7. Select the appropriate Dynamic Update option for your root DNS zone and click on Next. On the next page, click on the Finish button.

That is it! Following the above seven steps, we can create a root DNS zone in Windows Server 2022. Now, you can see the new zone with “.(root)” name is added to the zone list.

As we have added the root zone, the root hints and forwarders are all gone if you check them. So, this way, the root DNS zone stops all external name resolutions.

Summary

To summarize what we discussed in this article, we first covered a brief overview of the Root DNS zone. We discussed its function and use. Then, we went through step-by-step instructions and practically created and configured a Root DNS zone in Windows Server 2022.

In the end, I hope this article can provide you with the exact answer to your question. Make sure to share your thoughts and further queries in the comment section.

The post Create and Configure a Root DNS Zone and Stop External Name Resolution appeared first on TECHNIG.

As essential parts of a DNS Server, the DNS Forwarders and the DNS Conditional Forwarders are the two topics that we will configure after installing the DNS role and configuring the DNS zones. A DNS Forwarder is responsible for serving external DNS requests. We manually configure the DNS Forwarder on our DNS Server and specify the DNS server(s) it should refer to for any external DNS requests. A DNS Conditional Forwarder resolves the external DNS requests only for a specific domain that we specify. Mainly, we configure it between partners and trusted organisations. With this brief introduction in mind, we will cover how to configure a DNS Forwarder and a DNS Conditional Forwarder in Windows Server 2022. We will cover each one in a separate section following a straightforward step-by-step approach.

Also, read Install DNS In Server 2022 Using Server Manager And Powershell.

Configure a DNS Forwarder in Server 2022

We discussed a brief overview of the DNS Forwarder. In this section, we will go step-by-step to see how we can configure it in a Windows Server 2022.

1. Pull up the DNS Manager console. To do so, press down the Windows Key + R keys on your keyboard. Then, typednsmgmt.mscin the Run dialogue box and hit enter. An alternative way is to navigate through Server Manager >>Tools >> DNS.

2. On the DNS Manager console, select the server name on the left pane and double-click on Forwarders at the right pane.

3. Select the Forwarders tab on the DNS server’s properties, and click on the Edit button, afterwards.

4. Now, add the IP address of the DNS server(s) to which you want to forward the DNS external requests. You can add many DNS servers. As of our example, we have added two Google public DNS servers (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4). Click on a DNS server you have added, and you can set the order or delete it using the buttons on the right pane. Once everything is set, click on the OK button.

5. As you can see in the below picture, our two DNS servers are added to DNS Forwarders. Now our DNS server forwards any external DNS requests to one of these two DNS servers. Finally, Click on OK to close the window.

All right. In five simple steps with picture illustration, we have explained how to configure a DNS forwarder in Windows Server 2022.

Configure a DNS Conditional Forwarder in Server 2022

A Conditional Forwarder, as we discussed earlier, resolves the external DNS requests only for a specific domain. We define that external domain in our DNS server. Our DNS server then resolves the external DNS request only for that domain. It forwards any external DNS requests other than for that domain to the DNS server(s) defined in forwarders or to the DNS servers in the root hint. Having said this stuff, let’s move on and see the steps to configure a DNS Conditional Forwarder in Windows Server 2022.

1. Open up the DNS Manager console (step 1 of the previous section)

2. Expand the DNS server and right-click on Conditional Forwarders. Select the New Conditional Forwarder option from the list.

3. On the New Conditional Forwarder window, first, enter the domain’s name that your DNS server should resolve the request for it. Then, enter the IP address of that domain. Next, if you want to store this conditional forwarder in the active directory, check out the relevant checkbox (labelled 3 in the below picture) and choose the appropriate replication option. Otherwise, leave this option unchecked. Finally, click on the OK button.

These are all the steps required to configure a conditional forwarder on a DNS server with Windows Server 2022. Pretty easy!

Conclusion

Throughout this article, first, we discussed a brief overview of the DNS Forwarder and DNS Conditional Forwarder. Then, in two separate sections, we covered a step-by-step guide on how to configure a DNS Forwarder and DNS Conditional Forwarder in Windows Server 2022.

I hope you find this article helpful in any way. Make sure to share your thoughts and queries in the comment section below.

Read More:

• DHCP PowerShell Commands.
• How To See Wi-Fi Password On Windows 11?
• How To Bypass Windows 11 Requirements?

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