Windows Server 2008 DNS - Configuring Zone Resolution

There is a new name resolution available with the release of Windows Server 2008: GlobalNames Zones. The GlobalNames zone was introduced to help phase out the Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS), which we will discuss later. However, it is important to note that the GlobalNames zone is not intended to support the same type of name resolution provided in WINS, records which typically are not managed by IT administrators. After the configuration of the GlobalNames zone, you are responsible for management of all records in the zone, as there are no dynamic updates.

So, where this is really relevant is within organizations that have multiple domain names. Without single-label names (also known as NetBIOS names), Windows-based computers will append DNS suffixes based on the order provided, either via the individual TCP/IP settings of the client, DHCP settings, or Group Policy settings. Again, the key here is that if there are MULTIPLE domain names an organization must manage, they may find it easier to use the GlobalNames zone since the GlobalNames zone records can be configured globally for the single-label names. Records that are contained within the GlobalNames zone are known as global names.

Several prerequisites must be met before using the GlobalNames zone:

• No existing DNS zone can be named GlobalNames.

• All authoritative DNS servers must be running Windows Server 2008.

• All DNS servers running on Windows Server 2008 must store a local copy of the GlobalNames zone or must be able to remotely communicate with a server that does.

• The GlobalNames Zone Registry setting must be enabled on the server. This can be done by typing dnscmd /config /enableglobalnamessupport 1.

Let’s walk through the steps in configuring a GlobalNames zone:

1. Choose Start.

2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run As Administrator.

3. At the command prompt, type dnscmd /config/enableglobalnamessupport 1.

4. Close the command-line prompt.

5. Select Start Administrative Tools DNS.

6. Right-click your DNS server, and then click New Zone to open the New Zone Wizard.

7. Create a new zone and give it the name GlobalNames.

8. Complete the remaining configuration options as we have done previously, and then click Finish to complete the process.


Next, we will create a CNAME record for use with the GlobalNames zone:
1. Right-click the GlobalNames zone now available under the Forward Lookup Zones.

2. Select New Alias (CNAME).

3. Enter the alias of the server. For example, we can name it widgetserver.

4. Enter the FQDN of the target host. In this case, it will be our DNS server for testing purposes: dc1.uccentral.ads. If you do not have a record for your server, you may need to stop the CNAME process, and create an A record in the primary zone for your domain.

5. Click OK.

To test the GlobalNames zone record, simply go to the command prompt of a client PC and type ping gnztest. This will return the IP address as expected.

Source of Information : Syngress The Best Damn Windows Server 2008 Book Period 2nd Edition