Configuring DNS and WINS in Windows 2000

I am currently working on creating an Intranet on our school using Windows 2000 Server and IIS as a web server. I want to be able to create a user-friendly domain names. I was able to install a DNS Server, WINS Server. The problem is creating the domain and assigning the I.P Address along with the domain. I tried configuring DNS Server by creating a zone and its domains. The problem is when I PING the aliases with the domain name it doesn’t reply. Can anyone tell me the new steps in binding I.PAddresses with Domain Names in Windows 2000 Server? I’am more familiar with Windows N.T 4.0 Server and the migration to Windows 2000 Server is very very different and difficult. Is it also required that I install the ACTIVE DIRECTORY option of Windows 2000 Server?