DNS settings on a DC in a single DC configuration

Question

_{Saturday, August 12, 2017 9:54 PM}

Hello all,

I have a server running Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials. It is the only domain controller, DNS/DHCP server in the domain, which has just been migrated from an SBS 2003 server.

I'm not 100% sure that I've got the correct DNS servers configured in the TCP/IP settings. The server IP is 192.168.6.4.

• Running the BPA says that the localhost address should be configured as a DNS server, but not as the preferred DNS server
• I read somewhere that the preferred DNS server should be the private IP address of the server, ie, 192.168.6.4

Questions:

#1: Should the DNS server addresses be set as follows?

• Preferred: 192.168.6.4
• Alternate: 127.0.0.1
• Others: IP address of local router
• A public DNS server, eg, 8.8.8.8

#2: What is the difference between using the private IP address (192.168.6.4) and the localhost (127.0.0.1) address as a DNS server?

Thank you for any help.

All replies (6)

_{Monday, August 14, 2017 3:28 AM ✅Answered}

Hi Next Era,

In the only DC, the DNS address of DC should be itself. And then, you could configure a forwarder to forward DNS queries for external DNS names to DNS servers outside that network(eg:8.8.8.8).

Set the DNS to point to the IP of the DC (setting it to 127.0.0.01 does the same thing). There is no difference between using the private IP or localhost address as a DNS server.

If you have more than one DC , primary DNS should be another DC`s IP and own IP can be second.

Best Regards,

Candy

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_{Tuesday, August 22, 2017 5:49 AM}

Hi Next Era,

Just checking in to see if the information provided was helpful.

Please let us know if you would like further assistance.

Best Regards,

Candy

Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help.
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_{Tuesday, August 22, 2017 9:44 AM}

Candy,

So, should I set only 1 DNS server then?

_{Tuesday, August 22, 2017 9:45 AM}

Yes, you should. 

Cdt, Loïc V. - Active Directory Expert - Blog: http://ms-sec.fr

_{Tuesday, August 22, 2017 9:52 AM}

Hi Next Era,

As Loïc Veirman said, yes.

In addition, if the information provided was helpful,please "mark it as answer" to help other community members find the helpful reply quickly.

Best Regards,

Candy

Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help.
If you have feedback for TechNet Subscriber Support, contact [email protected].

_{Tuesday, August 22, 2017 11:14 AM}

Reply marked as answer.

Thank you all.