Using DNS Server to Add New Host and New Zones in Windows Server 2012.

Introduction

In my previous article you learned about How to Install the DNS Server in Windows Server 2012. Today's article follows that article. In today's article you will learn how to use DNS Server to add New Zones and a New Host in Windows Server 2012.

Step 1

Go to the Tools option and click on "DNS".

As you click on the DNS it will open the DNS Manager, there you will see your Server under which some main features exists like "Forward Lookup Zone", "Backward Lookup Zone" etc.

Step 2

First I will configure the Forward Lookup Zone. To add a new zone in the Forward Lookup Zone just right-click on it and choose "New Zone".

On clicking New Zone, the New Zone Wizard will be opened where some information will be provided, you can read that information and after that simply click on "Next".

Step 3

On clicking the "Next" button the zone type page will be opened. In it you must select the first option, which is "Primary Zone". This will create a copy of the zone that can be updated directly on your server.

After giving the Zone Type you must provide the Zone Name. Zone Name is not the name of the DNS Server, it specifies the portion of the DNS namespace for which the Server is authoritative. Here I have only provided the name of site that I like, you can provide the name you prefer.

Step 4

Now you will be asked to create a Zone File, you can use a Zone File that is copied from another DNS Server or you can create a new one.

Here I have create a New File, it's name will be automatically provided to you like "http://www.topmba.com.dns/". After that click on Next.

Step 5

After clicking the Next button you need to allow the DNS for Dynamic updates. Click on the second option, i.e. "Allow both Secure and Non Secure Updates".

Now the Finish option will appear in front of you so just click on the Finish option to close the wizard and create a New Zone.

Step 6

On the DNS Manager page you will see that a new folder is added having the name of the site that you provided. Right-click on it and select the New Host option to add a New Host.

Here you must provide your IP address and after that click on "Add Host".

Step 7

At this point the work of the Forward Lookup Zone is completed, now to do the Backward Lookup Zone will begin.

Right-click on "Backward Lookup Zone" and select "New Zone".

On clicking New Zone, the New Zone Wizard will be opened where some information will be provided, you can read that information and after that simply click on "Next".

Step 8

On clicking the Next button the Zone type page will be opened. Here you must select the first option, which is Primary Zone. This will create a copy of the zone that can be updated directly on your server.

After giving the Zone Type you must give the Reverse Lookup Zone Name. You must choose whether you want a Reverse Lookup Zone for IPV4 or IPV6.

Step 9

Now you must provide the Network ID. After providing the IP address click "Next".

Now you will be asked to create a Zone File, you can use a Zone File that is copied from another DNS Server or you can create a new one.

Here I have create a New File, its name will be automatically provided to you like "1.168.192.in-addr.arpa.dns".

Step 10

After clicking the Next button you need to allow the DNS for Dynamic updates. Click on the second option i.e. "Allow both Secure and Non Secure Updates".

Now the Finish option will appear in front of you so just click on the Finish option to close the wizard and create a New Zone.

Step 11

On the DNS Manager page you will see that a new folder is added having the name of the file that you provided. Right-click on it and select the New Pointer option.

Now you must provide the Host Name for which you must click on the Browse button so that you can select the Host Name from the Forward Lookup Zone.

Step 12

Browse through the Forward Lookup Zone to the file that you had created earlier and select it.

Now go to your Server that is provided just below the DNS and right-click it to Launch nslookup.

Here in the Black window write the name of the site that you provided earlier and press Enter. On pressing the Enter Button you will see that the address of this site is your IP Address.