Domain Name System

Version 1.00

Purpose

Domain Name System (DNS), now an industry-standard protocol, locates computers on an IP-based network. IP networks, such as the Internet and Microsoft® Windows® 2000 networks, rely on number-based addresses to move information on the network. However, users are better at remembering friendly names than number-based addresses, so, it is necessary to translate user-friendly names (www.microsoft.com) into addresses that the network can recognize (207.46.131.137).

DNS is the locator service of choice in Windows 2000.

Where Applicable

DNS is the primary locator service for the Internet and for Active Directory™, and therefore, DNS can be considered a base service for Windows 2000 and for Active Directory. Both Windows 2000 and Active Directory make heavy use of DNS.

Developer Audience

Windows 2000 provides functions that enable application programmers to use DNS, such as programmatically making DNS queries, comparing records, and looking up names.

• Programmable DNS components are designed for use by C/C++ programmers. Familiarity with networking and with DNS is required.
  
  
• Programmers should be familiar with the IP protocol suite, as well as the DNS protocol and how DNS operates.

Run-time Requirements

DNS is used on all IP networks that require an Internet-compatible locator service. However, the DNS API requires Windows 2000 or later to take advantage of its programmatic capabilities.

See Also

MADCAP, DHCP, Internet Protocol Helper, Active Directory, ADSI, Directory Services

Overview

General information about Domain Name Service.

Reference

Documentation of DNS.

Feedback

Make error reports and feature requests directly to Microsoft.