Windows Forum

Ask something
Discussion Locked

DNS Server search order

0 helpful
3 replies

by a former member

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

I have a DSL connection and get assigned 2 name servers from my ISP. This works fine and I can see the 2 ISP's nameservers listed in the winipcfg utility.

Now I have a Cisco 3000 VPN client software and when I create a tunnel I get assigned 2 internal nameserver from the tunnel. Now winipcfg shows only the 2 internal nameservers.

The problem is when I lookup addresses the external DNS servers are tried first, and this returns addresses that are from my company's external nameserver. These are NAT addresses and I need to be returned the internal (real) address or I do not access them via the tunnel.

If I lookup a server name that has no externally assigned DNS entry, the client will first try the external DNS and get no answer and try the internal DNS server and get the correct address returned. I believe this behavior is wrong and the internal DNS should be tried first.

Also, MS winipcfg only seems to show up to 2 nameserver addresses, even though I know more are being used.(I checked it with a sniffer). Is there any utility for windows98 that will let me see or manipulate ALL nameservers assigned and their priority?

3 replies

by ds9

Since you posted this to the Win98 section, I assume that is the operating system you are using. If so, then:

Click start, click settins, click control panel, click on Network. Under configuration TAB, Highlight the TCP/IP network card you are using, then click on Properties.

In properies screen, click on DNS config TAB, Highlight each server IP number one at a time and REMOVE it. Then, Re-enter them in the order in which you want to search them. (Of course record the number before you remove them, so that you can re-enter them correctly.)

Then do a reboot and you should be OK.

I'm not sure about Win98, but in Win NT, you are only able to enter up to three DNS server Ip numbers, so you may have to select the ones that do the most good for you.

Hope this helps
George

by Former member

This is true, but problem is not manual DNS entry. It is DHCP assigned and Windows is getting 2 sets of DNS systems, one from normal DHCP and the other one from my VPN client software. Windows does not seem to be dealing with it correctly, as winipcfg shows the VPN assigned DNS servers, but continues to use the DHCP assigned servers, then the VPN assigned.

by Former member

Follow-up to previous answer.
The DNS servers are not hard coded in the IP settings. They are assigned automatically via DHCP. I need to have them automatic and i need to see all that are assigned (not just the last 2) and i need to be able to see/manipulate the order of the DHCP assigned DNS servers.

This discussion is closed to new replies.