DNS SOA Default Values Are Not Configurable

ID: Q196432

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition version 4.0
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SYMPTOMS

It is not possible to change the following default DNS Start of Authority (SOA) values:

  • Serial Number


  • Minimum TTL


  • Expire Timer


  • Retry Timer


  • Refresh Timer


For more information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q163971 The Structure of a DNS SOA Record


RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or the individual software update. For information on obtaining the latest service pack, please go to:

For information on obtaining the individual software update, contact Microsoft Product Support Services. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web:
http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/overview/overview.asp

NOTE: If this product was already installed on your computer when you purchased it from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and you need this fix, please call the Pay Per Incident number listed on the above Web site. If you contact Microsoft to obtain this fix, and if it is determined that you only require the fix you requested, no fee will be charged. However, if you request additional technical support, and if your no-charge technical support period has expired, or if you are not eligible for standard no-charge technical support, you may be charged a non-refundable fee.

For more information about eligibility for no-charge technical support, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q154871 Determining If You Are Eligible for No-Charge Technical Support


STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT version 4.0 Service Pack 5.


MORE INFORMATION

Some organizations, responsible for registering DNS domain names, demand specific DNS SOA values to be used when registering DNS domains. This is to make sure that these values adapt well to the requirements of the Internet.

The following is an example of the values that were requested by one of these organizations:

  • serial number is not in YYYYMMDDxx format


  • minimum ttl should fit the 40000-345600 range


  • expire timer should fit in the 604800-360000 range


  • retry timer does should fit in the 1800-28800 range


  • refresh timer should fit in the 10000-86400 range


Changing these values through DNS Admin is possible, but very labor- intensive when creating lots of zones. Therefore the following registry entries have been made to make these values configurable for all zones that are created.

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys and Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).


HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\DNS\Parameters

ForceSoaSerial (REG_DWORD)
ForceSoaMinimumTtl (REG_DWORD)
ForceSoaRefresh (REG_DWORD)
ForceSoaRetry (REG_DWORD)
ForceSoaExpire (REG_DWORD)

NOTE: Be sure to click Decimal in Registry Editor when entering values.
These registry keys:

  • Overwrite the appropriate SOA value of every primary zone that loads on the computer.


  • Serve as default values for any new zone written


Using these registry entries will lock down the values; changing them through the DNS Admin Tool is still possible, but on the next restart of the DNS server, these SOA values are rewritten from the above registry entries.

NOTE: ForceSoaSerial should only be used for registration purposes as described above. After registering, this key should be deleted to ensure normal serial number functionality. If this key is not deleted, on every DNS server restart, the serial number is reset using the ForceSoaSerial value.

Keywords : kbbug4.00 kbfix4.00 nt4sp5fix
Version : WinNT:4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbbug


Last Reviewed: November 9, 1999
© 2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.