Configuring DNS part2

Name Servers

Name Servers specify all name servers for a particular domain. You set up all primary and secondary name servers through this record.

To create a Name Server, follow these steps:

Select DNS from the Administrative Tools folder to open the DNS console.Expand the Forward Lookup Zone.Right-click on the appropriate domain and choose Properties (Figure N).Select the Name Servers tab and click Add.Enter the appropriate FQDN Server name and IP address of the DNS server you want to add.

Figure N

Name Server

Host (A) records

A Host (A) record maps a host name to an IP address. These records help you easily identify another server in a forward lookup zone. Host records improve query performance in multiple-zone environments, and you can also create a Pointer (PTR) record at the same time. A PTR record resolves an IP address to a host name.

To create a Host record:

Select DNS from the Administrative Tools folder to open the DNS console.Expand the Forward Lookup Zone and click on the folder representing your domain.From the Action menu, select New Host.Enter the Name and IP Address of the host you are creating (Figure O).Select the Create Associated Pointer (PTR) Record check box if you want to create the PTR record at the same time. Otherwise, you can create it later.Click the Add Host button.

Figure O

A Host (A) record

Pointer (PTR) records

A Pointer (PTR) record creates the appropriate entry in the reverse lookup zone for reverse queries. As you saw in Figure H, you have the option of creating a PTR record when creating a Host record. If you did not choose to create your PTR record at that time, you can do it at any point.

To create a PTR record:

Select DNS from the Administrative Tools folder to open the DNS console.Choose the reverse lookup zone where you want your PTR record created.From the Action menu, select New Pointer (Figure P).Enter the Host IP Number and Host Name.Click OK.

Figure P

New Pointer

Canonical Name (CNAME) or Alias records

A Canonical Name (CNAME) or Alias record allows a DNS server to have multiple names for a single host. For example, an Alias record can have several records that point to a single server in your environment. This is a common approach if you have both your Web server and your mail server running on the same machine.

To create a DNS Alias:

Select DNS from the Administrative Tools folder to open the DNS console.Expand the Forward Lookup Zone and highlight the folder representing your domain.From the Action menu, select New Alias.Enter your Alias Name (Figure Q).Enter the fully qualified domain name (FQDN).Click OK.

Figure Q

Alias Name

Mail Exchange (MX) records

Mail Exchange records help you identify mail servers within a zone in your DNS database. With this feature, you can prioritize which mail servers will receive the highest priority. Creating MX records will help you keep track of the location of all of your mail servers.

To create a Mail Exchange (MX) record:

Select DNS from the Administrative Tools folder to open the DNS console.Expand the Forward Lookup Zone and highlight the folder representing your domain.From the Action menu, select New Mail Exchanger.Enter the Host Or Domain (Figure R).Enter the Mail Server and Mail Server Priority.Click OK.

Figure R

Host or Domain

Other new records

You can create many other types of records. For a complete description, choose Action | Other New Records from the DNS console (Figure S). Select the record of your choice and view the description.

Figure S

Create records from the DNS console

Troubleshooting DNS servers

When troubleshooting DNS servers, the nslookuputility will become your best friend. This utility is easy to use and very versatile. It's a command-line utility that is included within Windows 2008. With nslookup, you can perform query testing of your DNS servers. This information is useful in troubleshooting name resolution problems and debugging other server-related problems. You can access nslookup (Figure T) right from the DNS console.

Figure T

Configuring DNS

Without DNS, computers would have a very tough time communicating with each other. However, most Windows administrators still rely on WINS for name resolution on local area networks and some have little or no experience with DNS. Steven Warren explains how to install, configure, and troubleshoot a Windows Server 2008 DNS server.

As many of you are probably aware, the Domain Name System (DNS) is now the name resolution system of choice in Windows. Without it, computers would have a very tough time communicating with each other. However, most Windows administrators still rely on the Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) for name resolution on local area networks and some have little or no experience with DNS. If you fall into this category, read on. We'll explain how to install, configure, and troubleshoot a Windows Server 2008 DN
Installtion

You can install a DNS server from the Control Panel or when promoting a member server to a domain controller (DC) (Figure A). During the promotion, if a DNS server is not found, you will have the option of installing it.

Figure A

Domain controller

To install a DNS server from the Control Panel, follow these steps:

From the Start menu, select | Control Panel | Administrative Tools | Server Manager.Expand and click Roles (Figure B).Choose Add Roles and follow the wizard by selecting the DNS role (Figure C).Click Install to install DNS in Windows Server 2008 (Figure D).

Figure B

Expand and click Roles

Figure C

DNS role

Figure D

Install DNS

DNS console and configuration

After installing DNS, you can find the DNS console from Start | All Programs | Administrative Tools | DNS. Windows 2008 provides a wizard to help configure DNS.

When configuring your DNS server, you must be familiar with the following concepts:

Forward lookup zoneReverse lookup zoneZone types

A forward lookup zone is simply a way to resolve host names to IP addresses. A reverse lookup zone allows a DNS server to discover the DNS name of the host. Basically, it is the exact opposite of a forward lookup zone. A reverse lookup zone is not required, but it is easy to configure and will allow for your Windows Server 2008 Server to have full DNS functionality.

When selecting a DNS zone type, you have the following options: Active Directory (AD) Integrated, Standard Primary, and Standard Secondary. AD Integrated stores the database information in AD and allows for secure updates to the database file. This option will appear only if AD is configured. If it is configured and you select this option, AD will store and replicate your zone files.

A Standard Primary zone stores the database in a text file. This text file can be shared with other DNS servers that store their information in a text file. Finally, a Standard Secondary zone simply creates a copy of the existing database from another DNS server. This is primarily used for load balancing.

To open the DNS server configuration tool:

Select DNS from the Administrative Tools folder to open the DNS console.Highlight your computer name and choose Action | Configure a DNS Server... to launch the Configure DNS Server Wizard.Click Next and choose to configure the following: forward lookup zone, forward and reverse lookup zone, root hints only (Figure E).Click Next and then click Yes to create a forward lookup zone (Figure F).Select the appropriate radio button to install the desired Zone Type (Figure G).Click Next and type the name of the zone you are creating.Click Next and then click Yes to create a reverse lookup zone.Repeat Step 5.Choose whether you want an IPv4 or IPv6 Reverse Lookup Zone (Figure H).Click Next and enter the information to identify the reverse lookup zone (Figure I).You can choose to create a new file or use an existing DNS file (Figure J).On the Dynamic Update window, specify how DNS accepts secure, nonsecure, or no dynamic updates.If you need to apply a DNS forwarder, you can apply it on the Forwarders window. (Figure K).Click Finish (Figure L).

Figure E

Configure

Figure F

Forward lookup zone

Figure G

Desired zone

Figure H

IPv4 or IPv6

Figure I

Reverse lookup zone

Figure J

Choose new or existing DNS file

Figure K

Forwarders window

Figure L

Finish

Managing DNS records

You have now installed and configured your first DNS server, and you're ready to add records to the zone(s) you created. There are various types of DNS records available. Many of them you will never use. We'll be looking at these commonly used DNS records:

Start of Authority (SOA)Name ServersHost (A)Pointer (PTR)Canonical Name (CNAME) or AliasMail Exchange (MX)

Start of Authority (SOA) record

The Start of Authority (SOA) resource record is always first in any standard zone. The Start of Authority (SOA) tab allows you to make any adjustments necessary. You can change the primary server that holds the SOA record, and you can change the person responsible for managing the SOA. Finally, one of the most important features of Windows 2000 is that you can change your DNS server configuration without deleting your zones and having to re-create the wheel (Figure M).

Figure M

Updating BIOS on windows

DISCLAIMER:
First of all i want you all to know that updating the BIOS is dangerous and doing it wrong can brick your motherboard so unless the update doesn't help you in anyway don't do it otherwise i will not be responsible for the result.

PROCEDURE:
1: First of all go to the this link here and download speccy.
2: Install it and open it and on the very first page you should see basic details about your computer.
There should be be a motherboard heading with make and model you need to remember the model.
3: Go to the intel site put your motherboard model (remember to double check that you entered and are on the correct motherboard page) and go to the support>drivers>download and then go to the BIOS section and then click on the latest version of bios update.
4: There are gonna be 4 to 3 choices here ISO, BIO, IFLASH2, Express Update. I am going with the .BIO version file here since the other methods didn't work in my motherboard and basically this method should work on every intel motherboard.
5: After you download the file (generally it is a single file) go to this link here and carefully follow the steps to make the bootable USB or thumb drive.
6: After you done following the above guide place the download xxx.BIO file in the usb and then shut down the computer.
7: Unplug the AC power cable and open the chassis or the back cover now there should be small yellow jumper on the motherboard (it is the generally the only small thing on the whole motherboard but ask if you are not sure) make sure you remember how it is connected and then remove it.
8: Connect the USB or thumb drive on the pc and then replug the AC power cable.
9: After the Intel Logo or the splash sceen updating of the bios should automatically begin let it happen.
10: After you receive the successful update prompt let it restart and then turn it off unplug the AC power cable put the jumper back in it's position and then plug the AC power cable and your BIOS should be updated and you should be good to go.

Booting windows 8 in safe mode

Are you struggling to boot intoSafe Mode in Windows 8 or Windows 8.1? Have you tried pressing both F8 and Shift+F8and they don't work? That's because a lot has changed with the boot procedure in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1. The boot has become so fast that it literally cannot be interrupted by any of your keypresses. Here are 5 ways in which you can boot into Safe Mode, that don't involve any special hacks or manual configuration.

Safe Mode in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1

Safe Mode in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 is not too different from the Safe Modefound in earlier versions of Windows.

The operating system still loads only the most basic drivers and services, so that it can display a minimal useful interface. The only important difference is that the minimum screen resolution used by Safe Mode has risen from 800x600 pixels to 1024x768 pixels.

1. Use the System Configuration Tool (msconfig.exe) - works in Windows 8 & 8.1

The easiest method for booting into Safe Mode is to use the System Configurationtool, also known as msconfig.exe.

Go to the Boot tab and, in the Boot optionssection check the box that says "Safe boot". Then, click or tap OK.

You are informed that you need to restart your computer. Click Restart or Exit without restart depending on whether you want to restart now or later.

At the next restart, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 start in Safe Mode.

2. Use Shift + Restart - works in Windows 8 & 8.1

Another method is to press the Powerbutton at the Windows login screen or in the Settings charm. Then, press and hold the SHIFT key on your keyboard and clickRestart.

Windows asks you to choose an option. Press Troubleshoot.

In the Troubleshoot screen, pressAdvanced options.

In the Advanced options screen, pressStartup Settings.

You are informed that you are about to restart in order to change several Windows options, including enabling Safe Mode. Press Restart.

Your computer or device restarts again and displays nine startup settings, including Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking and Safe Mode with Command Prompt

Press the F4 key on your keyboard, to enable Safe Mode, F5 to enable Safe Mode with Networking and F6 to enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 now boot according to the setting you selected.

3. Boot from a System Recovery CD/DVD - works only in Windows 8

In Windows 8, but not in Windows 8.1, you can create a system recovery CD or DVD. Here's the tutorial that shows how it is done: How to Create a System Repair Disc for Windows 7 & Windows 8.

Once you have that disc created, boot from it. When asked to press any key to load its content, do so.

First, you are asked to choose your keyboard layout. Press the layout you want to use. If you want to browse through the available options, press "See more keyboard layouts" until you find the one you want to use.

Then, the Choose an option screen is shown.

From here on, the steps are identical to those shown for method 2.

4. Boot from a System Recovery Memory Stick - works in Windows 8 & 8.1

In Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 you can use the Recovery Media Creator to create a system recovery drive on a USB flash Drive. Details instructions can be found in this tutorial: How to Create a Recovery Drive on a USB Memory Stick in Windows 8 & 8.1".

Boot from the USB memory stick and follow the same instructions as in method 3.

5. Use F8 or Shift + F8 (doesn't work when using UEFI BIOS & SSDs)

In Windows 7, you were able to press F8 just before Windows got loaded, to open the Advanced Boot Options window, where you could choose to start Windows 7 inSafe Mode.

Some websites advise you to pressShift+F8, just before Windows 8 or 8.1 starts loading so that you make it start the recovery mode, from where you can boot into Safe Mode. The problem is that, most times, Shift+F8 and F8 don't work, even though they are correct commands, supported by Windows 8 and Windows 8.1.

This official blog post from Microsoft (Designing for PCs that boot faster than ever before) explains that this behavior is caused by their work in designing a very fast boot procedure. Both Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 have the fastest boot times ever.