DNS - can't ping by computer name

[SimpleSi]

Hand in the air - I don't really understand how/why/what/??? DNS on w2k3 servers ops:

Background - just swapped over to using a w2k3 server instead of one my trusty win98 machines - all working (so it seems) OK.

I have also setup a ubuntu print server (which seems to work fine and has tested OK with a few users for a week)

So I thought I'd add it to more computers (as an IPP printer) and use its name instead of its ip address - 10.81.62.5.

no joy -tried pinging it by name (printserv1) - no joy - ping by ip - fine.

That's when I thought - I'll bet I need to do something with DNS.

On my w2k3 server, I just answered the basic questions when I set it up and it seems to be working OK.

I get really confused over forward/reverse zones and what I need to set up/don't need to set up.

1. Am I right in thinking that not being able to ping the print server by name is a DNS issue.

2. What do I need to do to resolve it.

3. Do I need forward/reverse zones in my simple enviroment.

regards
Simon

PS No computers are logging into the w2k3 domain - they are just using it as a replacement fileserver for the old win98 machine.

[StewartKnight]

I thought we'd just covered this at uni Simon!

[wesleyw]

Have you added the linux box to the active directory? Do this first. Then go to the DNS service. You should see a windows open with DNS on the left hand side and your server name just below this. Expand the server name folder this should then show you Forward and reverse lookup zones click on your active directory name <school>.internal or something like that depending on how you've set it up. Right click on the rihgt hand pane and it should bring up a list choose New Host (A) (making sure nothing else is selected in the right hand pane) Enter your computers name and address the system should ask if you want to create a pointer in the Reverse lookup zone do this and you should then be able to ping by the computers name. Also if you have more than one DNS you'll need to either wait for them to synchronise or force them!

Wes

[wesleyw]

@Stewart: Like anyone pays enough attention in class lol!

Wes

[ChrisH]

Basically the windows machines register themselves in DNS if you have selected the right options the Linux box will not hence the instructions above. Im sure it could be made to before someone pipes up but for the sake of this exercise its best just to manually add a record. Just make sure your Ubuntu box has a static IP.

[wesleyw]

Strictly speaking you don't need reverse lookup zones in a very basic environment but I always set them up as a matter of course! Sadly W2k3 server "forgets" to set up reverse lookup pointers for your DNS servers which sometimes can be annoying when you are trying to join a test workstation and keep getting domain cannot be contacted errors all the time (Been there done that got pi**ed off, moved away from the servers sat down laughed and fixed it lol)

Wes

[wesleyw]

Can Samba be setup for this?

Wes

[CyberNerd]

Can Samba be setup for this?

Samba isn't a DNS server. Samba can be set up as a legacy WINS server. BIND can be setup as an Active Directory DNS server though, but few people do this.

[wesleyw]

Sorry I meant on the client to attach to the active directory? BIND? I'll have to have a look at that!

Wes

[SimpleSi]

@Stewart

Hand in the air - I don't really understand how/why/what/??? DNS on w2k3 servers ops:

@Chris

Basically the windows machines register themselves in DNS if you have selected the right options

Thats what I thought but why can't I see any computer names in the DNS console?

Ican't even find where I told it our upstream DNS server settings ops:

@wesley

Have you added the linux box to the active directory?

No - I've not done this - but the windows machines are pingable by name and I haven't added them either! (I'm trying to understand what's happening here)

Expand the server name folder this should then show you Forward and reverse lookup zones click on your active directory name <school>.internal or something like that depending on how you've set it up.Right click on the rihgt hand pane and it should bring up a list choose New Host (A) (making sure nothing else is selected in the right hand pane) Enter your computers name and address the system should ask if you want to create a pointer in the Reverse lookup zone do this and you should then be able to ping by the computers name.

Just me being thick but do you mean I add the record in school.local in Forward Lookup Zone? (I assume yes but...)

If so, when you say create a pointer in the Reverse Lookup Zone ( and I haven't got one) will it fail?

stopping now but got more questions ops:

regards
Simon

[wesleyw]

Just me being thick but do you mean I add the record in school.local in Forward Lookup Zone? (I assume yes but...)

Yes thats correct.

If so, when you say create a pointer in the Reverse Lookup Zone ( and I haven't got one) will it fail?

Actually if you haven't created on I don't think it will ask you.

No - I've not done this - but the windows machines are pingable by name and I haven't added them either! (I'm trying to understand what's happening here)

If you joined them to the domain it should have added them to the Active Directory

Wes

[Geoff]

Sorry I meant on the client to attach to the active directory?

Samba 3.x can join an active directory domain. It shows up as a member server. You need kerberos installed too though.

[wesleyw]

Cool thanks Geoff!

Wes

[SimpleSi]

@all - Reset to Basics :-)

PS No computers are logging into the w2k3 domain - they are just using it as a replacement fileserver for the old win98 machine.

So I naively think that the DNS server should just be acting as a DNS server and not the right-hand assistant to AD. Yes/No?


@wes

Strictly speaking you don't need reverse lookup zones in a very basic environment but I always set them up as a matter of course!

Don't have too/but I do :?

What happens if you don't then?
And why do you do it as a matter or course.

[wesleyw]

Well actually it causes problems when joining to the domain if you have more than one DNS server. In your environment currently this won't cause a problem. However if you expand the system to have more DNS and DC servers then this is needed and of course it only takes a few more mintues to set up.

Wes