A. Once you have DNS servers configured the clients (and servers) need to be configured to contact them to resolve hostnames to IP addresses (and in some cases IP addresses to hostnames).
If you are using DHCP then DNS can be configured as part of the scope options for DHCP and do not need to be set at each client machine. Only if using static IP addresses do you need to manually set DNS information.
For an NT machine (and Windows 95) perform the following:
- Start the Network Control Panel Applet (Start - Settings - Control Panel - Network)
- Select the Protocols tab
- Select TCP/IP and select Properties
- Click the DNS tab
- Make sure the machines name is entered in the first box, and the domain name, e.g. savilltech.com in the Domain box
- In the DNS Server part click Add, and in the dialog box enter the IP address of the DNS Server and click Add
- In the Domain Suffix Search Order part, click Add and enter the domain, e.g. savilltech.com and then click Add
- Finally click OK
For a Windows 2000 machine perform the following:
- Right click on 'My Network Places' and select Properties
- Right click on 'Local Area Connection' and select Properties
- Select 'Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)' and click Properties
- Enter the DNS information and click OK
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To test, you can start a command prompt and enter
nslookup <host name>
e.g. nslookup taz
The IP address of Taz will be displayed. Also try the reverse translation by entering
e.g. nslookup 188.8.131.52
The name Taz will be displayed.