Audience

This book is intended primarily for Windows Server 2003 system administrators who manage zones and one or more name servers, but it also includes material for network engineers, postmasters, and others. Not all the book's chapters will be equally interesting to a diverse audience, though, and you don't want to wade through 16 chapters to find the information pertinent to your job. We hope this roadmap will help you plot your way through the book.

System administrators setting up their first zones

Should read Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 for DNS theory, Chapter 3 for information on getting started and selecting a good domain name, then Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 to learn how to set up a zone for the first time. Chapter 6 explains how to configure hosts to use the new name servers. Soon after, they should read Chapter 7, which explains how to "flesh out" their implementation by setting up additional name servers and adding additional zone data, and Chapter 8, if they plan on using the Active Directory-integration features of the Microsoft DNS Server. Chapter 12 and Chapter 15 describe useful troubleshooting tools and techniques.

Experienced administrators

May benefit from reading Chapter 6 to learn how to configure DNS resolvers on different hosts and Chapter 7 for information on maintaining their zones. Chapter 8 deals with Active Directory integration, which may be useful to administrators new to the Microsoft DNS Server. Chapter 9 contains instructions on how to plan for a zone's growth and evolution, which should be especially valuable to administrators of large zones. Chapter 10 explains parenting—creating subdomains—which is essential reading for those considering the big move. Chapter 11 covers security features of the Microsoft DNS Server, many of which may be useful for experienced administrators. Chapter 12 and Chapter 15 describe tools and techniques for troubleshooting, which even advanced administrators may find worth reading.

System administrators on networks without full Internet connectivity

Should read Chapter 5 to learn how to configure mail on such networks and Chapter 16 to learn how to set up an independent DNS infrastructure.

Network administrators not directly responsible for any zones

Should still read Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 for DNS theory, Chapter 12 to learn how to use nslookup and dig, then Chapter 15 for troubleshooting tactics.

Postmasters

Should read Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 for DNS theory, then Chapter 5 to find out how DNS and electronic mail coexist. Chapter 12, which describes nslookup and dig, will also help postmasters dig mail routing information out of the domain namespace.

Interested users

Can read Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 for DNS theory, and then whatever else they like!

Note that we assume you're familiar with basic Windows Server 2003 system administration and TCP/IP networking. We don't assume you have any other specialized knowledge, though. When we introduce a new term or concept, we'll do our best to define or explain it. Whenever possible, we'll use analogies from Windows (and from the real world) to help you understand.