I have a small domain with about 100 nodes. In this domain I have two domain controllers, Server 2003 standard with SP2, with an Exchange server (Exchange is the primary reason for the two domain controllers.) Both domain controllers have DNS and DCHP services running.
Things seem to be working fine but I do wonder if my set up is optimal.
First question is, should I let the DCHP assign external DNS addresses to the local workstations or should the DCHP only assign the local DNS servers and let the DNS handle the forwarding?
Second, I?m wondering if my two internal DNS servers are configured correctly. When I look at the DNS manager I see that both servers are listed and each server is AD integrated and listed as the primary. Each server is listed at the Start of Authority, one server will see itself as Start of Authority and the other will see itself as Start of Authority. Both servers see the other server as a naming server?so the question is, is this ok? Should one be secondary? Is it ok that both are listed as primary? There are no errors in the event logs for the DNS, and Exchange seems to be communication with both servers just fine? makes me wonder if this is optimal.
Third question, in the DNS manager under forwards I have listed by IP address the other internal DNS server followed by the three external DNS ip address given to me by my isp. So DNS server #1 order of forwards would be DNS server #2 followed by the three external ip address. Where DNS server #2 will list DNS server #1 first followed by the three external ip addresses. Question is, Do I really need to list the other DNS server under the forward IP address? The reason I wonder about t this is I see a potential loop of each server just forwarding back and forth.
Last question, I noticed in my Reverse Lookup Zone there are several computers with the same IP address, up to four computers with the same ip address. Some of the computers don?t exist anymore, is this normal? The Forward Lookup Zone does not have any duplicates, one ip address per workstation; only in the reverse lookup zone do I see multiple machines with the same ip address.
Any wisdom would be great.
Thank you.
