AZ-800 Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure Exam

Configure and Manage AD-Integrated DNS Zones

AD-integrated zones tie DNS data directly into Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) to provide secure and reliable name resolution. By storing DNS records in AD DS, you gain tighter security control through AD DS permissions. You also eliminate the need for separate DNS replication because zone data travels with directory replication. This approach helps keep DNS information consistent across all domain controllers.

To convert a primary zone into an AD-integrated zone, open DNS Manager and right-click the zone you want to change. Select Properties, then choose Change Type and pick Primary zone stored in Active Directory. Once converted, the zone’s records are stored in AD DS. You can also create new zones directly as AD-integrated when you need them.

Adjusting the zone replication scope lets you control where DNS data replicates. You can set replication to:

• All domain controllers in the domain for consistent coverage within one domain.
• All domain controllers in the forest for wider availability across multiple domains.
• Specific domain controllers for targeted replication in specialized environments. Choosing the right scope balances network traffic with availability needs.

Configuring secure dynamic updates ensures that only authenticated devices can register or update their DNS records. This feature prevents unauthorized machines from adding or changing records, which helps guard against DNS poisoning or spoofing. To implement this, enable secure updates in the zone’s Properties under the Dynamic updates setting. Clients that join the domain can then automatically update their records without compromising zone security.

Finally, you should regularly evaluate your replication topology to optimize performance and resolution times. Check that replication intervals are appropriate and that no domain controller is overloaded with DNS data. Use Forward Lookup Zones to resolve hostnames to IP addresses and Reverse Lookup Zones to map IPs back to names. Monitoring and fine-tuning this setup keeps your DNS service fast and highly available.

Conclusion

Integrating DNS with AD DS involves converting or creating zones as AD-integrated, which brings enhanced security and simplified replication. You adjust replication scope to match your network design and enable secure dynamic updates to protect DNS records. Regularly reviewing your replication topology and using the right lookup zones ensures consistent and efficient name resolution across on-premises and hybrid environments. Maintaining these configurations keeps your DNS service both reliable and secure.