How To Setup And Configure DNS In Windows Server 2016

Open the Server Manager window and proceed to Local Server

Click Manage and "Add Roles and Feature s."

Once the Add Roles and Features Wizard window appears, take the time to read the
information in the "Before you begin" section before clicking next
 If you are using Role-based or Feature-based installation, select the radio button next to it

Select the server you wish to use for this role. Typically for a DNS-Only setup, it's the same one as
the machine you're looking at this on. However, the option to remotely install the role is available
Select the DNS Server role.
 A window then asks you to confirm the dependencies (usually just the Administration Tools
required for the DNS role) also to be installed. Click Add Features, as this is usually required

The check box should be marked in a black check icon. (The black box in this window typically
means that not all features are installed in this tree. Usually, this is, by default, a thing for File and
Storage Services). Then click Next to move forward
In the features window, you can install additional features which are often not needed for a DNS-
only configuration, however, do not hesitate to take a look at them and keep them in mind if you
find an absolute need for them later

In the next window, it gives you a brief description of the services and their functions, indicating
things that may be affected by this role or requires this role to be installed
The final confirmation of the installation. It presents the option to restart the destination server
(recommended for bulk installations) and returns you to the server manager window
Running/Configuring DNS Role
1. Select the DNS option on the sidebar of the Server Manager
2. Select the server you wish to manage, right-click it, and click DNS Manager (Alternate method,
Click the Start Menu, select Administrative Tools, and click DNS)
3. Click Action
4. Click Configure a DNS Server…
5. A prompt will appear, welcoming you to the Configure a DNS Server wizards, click Next.
6. Select one of the 3 options you wish to use that may suit your needs.
Forward Lookup Zone
1. Once either option is selected, it will move forward requesting the zone name. Enter in the
zone name.
2. If the ISP Maintained DNS option is selected, it will request the information for the ISP DNS. If
the Server maintains the zone, it will ask for a zone name. Any name can work.
3. After clicking next on server maintains the zone, it will then ask if you want to create a new file
or use an existing file, inputs the information or file you wish to use and then click next
4. Next, It will present you 3 options, 2 if Active Directory is not installed. Heed any warnings it
presents, select the option you wish to use, and click Next.
5. This section will ask you if it should forward queries to DNS servers with a specific IP or if it
shouldn't. Select the option you wish to use, input any needed information, and click next.
6. Finally, confirm the details with you, and "Finish" will complete the process.
Forward and Reverse Lookup Zone
This option uses a similar process for the first half (Forward Lookup Zone), with a difference being
the option of Primary, Secondary, and Stub Zones. The options describe the options for each and
proceed to the Reverse Lookup Zone half.
1. Select if you want to create a reverse lookup zone now.
2. Click next. If you selected to create one now, it would proceed into a similar screen to the
Forward Lookup zone, choosing whichever option is desired. However, if you opt not to set a
Reverse Lookup zone, it will end the process.
3. The Reverse Lookup Zone uses a similar process to the Forward Lookup Zone but requires rDNS
information
Advanced View displays Reverse Lookup Zones for 0, 127.0.0.1, and 255 broadcasts. It additionally
displays the Cached Lookups. Only enable Advanced View if the need dictates it, as editing these
can cause problems.
Trust Points need to be set for public cryptographic key signed zones. Also known as a Trust
Anchor, and must be configured on a non-authoritative DNS server.
Conditional Forwarders Allow the user to resolve names to a private namespace or speed up the
resolution to a public namespace. It functions similarly to a bridged connection between two
internal sites for communication.
If you clicked Root Hint, it will send you to the end and complete the task. If you select the
Forward or Forward and Reverse lookup Zone options, it will proceed forward.