Knowledge Base

DNS Server Search Order Functionality in Windows

PSS ID Number: 135919

Article Last Modified on 5/28/2003


The information in this article applies to:


This article was previously published under Q135919

SYMPTOMS

Windows enables you to specify multiple Domain Name System (DNS) servers so that names are resolved even if your primary DNS server is down. If your preferred DNS server (the first name in the list) does not acknowledge, Windows attempts the next DNS server in the list.

However, if the primary DNS server does acknowledge that the name to be resolved is not found in it's database, the DNS lookup fails and Windows attempts the next form of name resolution, such as HOSTS or Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) depending on the node type defined.

This can lead to a problem if you have a local DNS server for local name resolution and a remote DNS server for Internet name resolution. Because a reply is usually returned from the DNS server that is first in the list, you never get names resolved that only exist on the second DNS server. Therefore, you can only resolve local names or remote names, but not both.

RESOLUTION

To use a local DNS server for local name resolution and a remote DNS server for Internet name resolution:

Create a HOSTS or LMHOSTS file or use WINS for local name resolution.

-or-

Configure the DNS servers to forward requests to each other. This way, if a name is not found in one DNS server database, that server queries the other DNS server for the name and then returns it to the client.

For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

261968 Explanation of the Server List Management Feature in the Domain Name Resolver Client


Additional query words: failure search order netbios resolver behavior

Keywords: kbenv kbnetwork KB135919
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