An efficient way to configure DNS on any system is to follow the steps given below carefully.
- Gather information.
- Collect the information you need to create the zone files. This task includes choosing a domain name for your network.
- Prepare zone files. As you prepare your zone files, remember that each zone must have an SOA record. Also, remember that forward and reverse zones each need name servers, and so their zone files must have NS records.
- Kill the name server process
- Prepare the named.boot file. Once you have killed the name server process, you can then create (or edit) the named.boot file.
- Start the name server process
- Run
nslookup
- Configure the DNS Clients
To configure a UNIX DNS client, you need only to alter the /etc/resolv.conf file for each host that you want to participate in the domain.
-
DNS problems: Finally, remember not to get too ambitious as you first work with BIND. Take each step one at a time, and work slowly. Document each
move. Work in this way, and you will control the risks of establishing a DNS server.
In the next several lessons, we will work through these steps in detail. Along the way, you'll practice the steps with simulation exercises in
which you will set up a primary DNS server and a number of secondary servers.