How to Create a DNS Zone with standard DNS Records (2024)

How to Create a DNS Zone with Standard DNS Records
Following these instructions will allow you to use your server as a DNS server.

Install and Configure the DNS Service Role

1. Install the DNS Service Role
   1. Open the Server Manager.
   2. ClickDashboard.
   3. Click Add roles and features.
   4. On the Before You Begin screen, click Next.
   5. On the Installation Type screen, select Role-based or feature-based installationthen click Next
   6. On the Server Selection screen, select your server from the list and click Next.
   7. On the Server Roles screen, check DNS Server. A dialog will appear. Click Add Featuresand then click Next.
   8. On the Features screen, click Next.
   9. On the DNS Server screen, click Next.
   10. On the Confirmationscreen, click Install.
   11. On the Results screen, click Close.
2. Configure the DNS Service Role
   1. Open theServer Manager.
   2. ClickDNS
   3. Right-Click on your server and then clickDNS Manager.
   4. Inside of DNS Manager...
      1. Right-Click on your server and click Properties.
      2. Click on the Advancedtab.
      3. Under Server Optionscheck Disable Recursion.
      4. Click OK

Create a DNS Zone

1. Open the Server Manager.
2. Click DNS
3. Right-Click on your server and then click DNS Manager.
4. Inside of DNS Manager...
   1. Expand your server.
   2. Right-Click on Forward Lookup Zones and click New Zone...
   3. In the New Zone Wizard...
      1. On the Welcome screen, click Next.
      2. On the Zone Type screen, selectPrimary Zoneand click Next.
      3. On the Zone Name screen, type the name of your zone and click Next.
         NOTE: Unless you are a DNS expert, your zone name should be your domain name (for example, MySite.com)
      4. On the Zone File screen, click Next.
      5. On the Dynamic Updates screen, click Next.
      6. On the Completing the New Zone Wizard screen, click Finish.

Create the DNS Records

1. Open the Server Manager
2. Click DNS
3. Right-Click on your server and then click DNS Manager
4. Inside of DNS Manager...
   1. Expand your server.
   2. Expand Forward Lookup Zones
   3. Right-Click on your Zone(Domain Name) and choose the type of record you want to create.
      NOTES:
      You may have to select New Other Records in order to create all DNS record types.
      "A" (Address) records map a name to an IP address (For example, Site.com > 192.168.1.1)
      CNAME (Canonical Name) records map a name to another name (For example, www.Site.com > Site.com)
      MX (Mail eXchange) records control where email is delivered.
      NS (Name Server) records confirm that your server controls.\

DNS Record Template
Creating the following DNS records will provide a solid starting point for your DNS zone.
IMPORTANT: Whenever a dialog asks for a fully qualified domain name, the domain name must end with a period! For example, Site.com should be Site.com. with the period at the end.

Set up the YourDomain.com A Record:
Name=[Empty]
IP Address=[Your Website's IP Address]

Set up the www.YourDomain.com CNAME Record:
Alias Name=www
Fully Qualified Domain Name=YourDomain.com.
NOTES: There is a period at the end of your domain name. This is very important. Don't forget it.

Create the Mail.YourDomain.com A Record:
Name=Mail
IP Address=[Your Website's IP Address]

Create an MX Record so that all @YourDomain.com email is sent to the server Mail.YourDomain.com:
Host or Child Domain=[Empty]
Fully Qualified Domain Name=Mail.YourDomain.com.

Create the A Record which will define your primary name server:
Name=NS1
IP Address=[Your Website's IP Address]

Create the A Record which will define your secondary name server:
Name=NS2
IP Address=[Your Website's IP Address]

Configuring your Domain to use the NS1 and NS2 records that you created above:

1. Right click on your Zone file (Domain name) and click Properties
1. Click on the Name Servers tab.
2. Remove any existing name servers.
3. Click Add...
   1. Under the Server fully qualified Domain Nametype NS1.YourDomain.com.
   2. Under IP address, type your website's IP address
   3. Click OK
4. ClickAdd...
   1. Under the Server fully qualified Domain Name type NS2.YourDomain.com.
   2. Under IP address, type your website's IP address
   3. Click OK
5. Click OK. If you receive a warning about deleting a GLUE record, Click Yes to confirm.
2. Inside of your zone file, right click on the Start of Authority (SOA) Record and click Properties
   1. Under Primary Server type NS1.YourDomain.com.
   2. Click OK