DNS problems

I have a 2k server setup for my office and am having problems getting both access to the ISP DNS and my local DNS. If I set the NS to my local server then all wroks fine locally except I have no internet access. If I set my DNS to the ISP servers then my internet works fine but my LAN is crippled with no local resolution. How can I use my local DNS and still maintain access to the web through the ISP DNS? Also (this may be a result of my DNS problems) when I log onto a XP Pro client, all is good but after a few minutes, I loose acces to my other clients and my server files. I can resolve this if I provide a user logon and password (with admin access) other my own, but I know I shouldn't have this problem - So is there a setup that I have incorrectly other than my DNS problem? Thanks for your help - I am pretty new to this stuff and desperatley want to learn!

Bruce

Have you set your local DNS server to forward requests it can't resolve to your ISP's DNS servers?

I have a forward lookup zone setup for my ISP DNS but I obviously have not done it correctly. Should the forward be under the Forward Lookup or under my Domain Name. My local server is setup as an active dir integrated zone as is the "." zone which has the "com" zone and "arpa" under it.

Bruce

You don't need a forward lookup zone for your ISP, you only need one for your domain. To set forwarders, Open up the DNS snap-in and right-click on your DNS server and click on properties. There's a tab for Forwarders, check enable forwarders and then add your ISP's DNS server IP addresses. That should be all you need to do. If the forwarders is grayed out then you need to delete the '.' (root) zone in your forward lookup zones.

I checked on the forwarders, and like you stated it was greyed out. "Forwarders are not enabled because this is a root server" Will deleting the "." zone from my forward lookup correct this. I know you indicated to do this but want to make sure since it is setup as an active dir integrated zone that I won't give myself more problems.

Thanks

Yes, delete the "." zone and it will fix the problem.

I made the changes you suggested and all is good in DNS land.

Thanks!!

Glad it's working for you now.