Setting up DNS and DHCP

Windows Server Roles

Windows Server Roles are predefined sets of software features built into Windows Server that allow the server to perform specific network services and infrastructure functions. Each role defines what the server does — for example:

• Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) makes the server a domain controller for managing users, computers, and policies.


• DNS Server handles the name resolution within the network.


• DHCP Server assigns IP addresses to client machines.


• File and Storage Services allow the server to host and manage shared files and storage.

In a lab environment, assigning and configuring these roles lets you simulate real-world IT infrastructure, enabling hands-on learning in areas like domain management, policy enforcement, and network services deployment — all from your VirtualBox-based Windows Server instance.

Overview:

Before setting up Active Directory, two critical services must be configured: DNS and DHCP.

• DNS (Domain Name System) is essential for resolving domain names to IP addresses, especially within a Windows domain.
• DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) automatically assigns IP addresses and other network settings to client devices.

This lab goes into configuring both on the same Windows Server that will later function as a domain controller.

Active Directory depends on DNS to locate domain controllers and services. DHCP simplifies network management by assigning the correct IP and DNS settings to domain-joined computers.

Without DNS

• You cannot promote the server to a domain controller.
• Clients will not be able to join the domain.

Without DHCP

• Every client would need manual IP configuration — inefficient and error-prone.

Configuring Internal DNS and DHCP on Windows Server 2016

Configuring DNS

1. Verify DNS Installation

Typically the first step would be to install the DNS Server Role, however, in this example that is already installed. So we'll verify the installation in this step.

• Open DNS Manager (dnsmgmt.msc)



2. Confirm that a Forward Lookup Zone exists for your domain (e.g., Domain-1.local)




3. This zone contains A records used for domain authentication

Configure DNS Forwarders (Optional)

1. Right-click your server in DNS Manager > Properties


2. Go to the Forwarders tab


3. Add:


4. 8.8.8.8 (Google DNS)
5. 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare DNS)


6. Click OK to save

Configuring DHCP

Install the DHCP Server Role

1. Click the Add roles and features in Server Manager.

2. The installation wizard will come up to follow the prompts.

3. For this example, I'm selecting Role-based or feature-based installation.

4. Server Selection:

5. Check the box next to DHCP Server under Server Role selection.

6. Follow the prompt to Add Features

7. Confirm installation selections, click Install.

8. Installation in progress

DHCP Authorization

1. After installing the DHCP server role, Server Manager will then have a notification for the Post-deployment configuration steps.

2. Upon clicking "Complete DHCP configuration", the DHCP Post-Install configuration wizard will come up to Authorize the DHCP server.

3. Specify the credentials to be used to authorize this DHCP server in AD DS.

In this example, I'm going to select the following user's credentials, then click Commit.

Create a DHCP Scope

1. In Server Manager > Tools, select DHCP in the drop-down tools menu.

2. DHCP Manager:

3. Expand the server/domain hierarchy.

4. Right-click on IPv4, select New Scope.

5. The New Scope Wizard will prompt.

6. In this example, I'm going to name this Scope Name "Lab Scope".

7. Next, configure the IP Address range.

• Start IP Address
• End IP Address
• CIDR length
• Subnet mask

8. Specify the IP address range that you want to exclude, if any.

9. Set the Lease Duration:

10. Configure DHCP Options:

11. Enter the Default Gateway address of the network, for example - 192.168.1.1:

12. Set the Parent Domain name for Domain Name and DNS Servers.

13. Specify the WINS Server functionality if applicable.

14. Activate the new DHCP Scope:

15. Click Finish

16. The new scope under IPv4 of DHCP Manager.

This demonstration included configuring internal DNS and DHCP on Windows Server 2016, the two critical services that must be configured prior to setting up Active Directory. The next lab will outline the steps on installing and setting up the AD DS server role.