# How to Configure DNS in Windows Server 2012

> URL: https://www.atlantic.net/vps-hosting/how-to-configure-dns-windows-server-2012/ | Published: 2015-07-27 | Updated: 2025-03-06 | Author: Alexander Wise

###### Verified and Tested 10/16/23

## Introduction

Domain Name System (DNS) is a system that translates a Domain name to the IP address that is associated with it over the World Wide Web. Once the DNS Server role is installed, it needs to be configured for your domain. In this how-to, we will walk you through Configuring DNS in Windows Server 2012.

## Prerequisites

– A Server with Windows Server 2012
 – DNS Server Role installed on your server. See the following article, “[Install DNS in Windows Server 2012](https://www.atlantic.net/vps-hosting/how-to-install-dns-role-windows-server-2012/),” if you do not have the DNS role installed.

## Configuring DNS in Windows Server 2012

Open the **Server Manager** from the taskbar.

Click on **DNS**/ Right Click **your server** / select **DNS Manager**/ Click the **Action** Tab/ Select **Configure a DNS Server.**

![Select Configure a DNS Server in Windows Server 2012](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/dns1.jpg)

Select Configure a DNS Server in Windows Server 2012

 

The **Configure DNS Server Wizard** will come up. Click **Next** to continue and select one of the following actions:
 – Create a forward lookup zone
 A**forward lookup zone** is a DNS function that takes a domain name and resolves it to an IP address.

– Create forward and reverse lookup zones
 A**reverse lookup zone** is a DNS function that takes an IP address and resolves it to a domain name.

– Configure root hints only
 **Root hints only**  Will have the IP addresses of DNS servers where records can be acquired.

![This is the Configure DNS Server Wizard screen output in Windows Server 2012](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/dns2.jpg)

This is the Configure DNS Server Wizard screen output in Windows Server 2012

 

Select where the DNS data will be maintained for your network resources, and then click **Next**

![Selecting a Primary Server location in Windows Server 2012](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/dns3.jpg)

Selecting a Primary Server location in Windows Server 2012

 

Enter your new zone name, in this case, your domain, and click **Next.**

![This is the zone name insert field when configuring DNS in Windows Server 2012](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/dns4.jpg)

This is the zone name insert field when configuring DNS in Windows Server 2012

 

Create a new zone file or use an existing one from a different DNS server

![Creating a Zone file when configuring DNS in Windows Server 2012](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/dns5.jpg)

Creating a Zone file when configuring DNS in Windows Server 2012

 

Next, you select how your server will respond to Dynamic Updates.

![Select the do not allow Dynamic Updates option while Configuring DNS in Windows Server 2012](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/dns6.jpg)

Select the do not allow Dynamic Updates option while Configuring DNS in Windows Server 2012

 

Select whether your DNS server should forward queries or not. If you choose **YES**, type the IP of the server and click **Next**. If **NO**, select No. It should not forward queries and Click **Next**.

![Select one of the options to configure forwarders when Configuring DNS in Windows Server 2012](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/dns7.jpg)

Select one of the options to configure forwarders when Configuring DNS in Windows Server 2012

 

Click **Finish,** and you’re all set.

![Completing the DNS configuration in Window Server 2012](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/dns8.jpg)

Completing the DNS configuration in Window Server 2012

Congratulations! You have just Configured DNS in Windows Server 2012. Thank you for following along in this How-To, and feel free to check back with us for any new updates on our [VPS Hosting](https://www.atlantic.net/vps-hosting/) solutions.

Learn more about our [VPS hosting](https://www.atlantic.net/vps-hosting/) services and [VPS hosting price](https://www.atlantic.net/vps-hosting/pricing/).