Change the zone type
Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2
To change the zone type
Using the Windows interface
Using a command line
To change the zone type using the Windows interface
Open DNS.
In the console tree, right-click the applicable zone, and then click Properties.
On the General tab, note the current zone type, and then click Change.
In Change Zone Type, select a zone type other than the current one, and then click OK.
Additional considerations
To perform this procedure, you must be a member of the Administrators group on the local computer, or you must have been delegated the appropriate authority. If the computer is joined to a domain, members of the Domain Admins group might be able to perform this procedure. As a security best practice, consider using Run as to perform this procedure.
To open DNS, click Start, click Control Panel, double-click Administrative Tools, and then double-click DNS.
You can select from Primary zone, Secondary zone, or Stub zone. When selecting the secondary or stub zone types, you must specify the IP address of another DNS server to be used as the source for obtaining updated information for the zone.
If the DNS server computer is operating as a domain controller, the option to change the zone type to Active Directory-integrated is available. This option is not otherwise available. When this zone type is selected for use, zone data is stored and replicated as part of the Active Directory database.
Note
You cannot change the zone type (primary, secondary, or stub) and the method for storing the zone at the same time. You must perform the two operations separately.
Changing a zone from secondary to primary type can affect other zone activities, including management of dynamic updates and zone transfers and the use of DNS notify lists to notify other servers about changes in the zone. For more information, see Related Topics.
Changing a zone from stub to primary type or vice versa is not recommended due to the purpose of stub zones.
Changing DNS zone type or storage can be time-consuming for large zones.
To change the zone type using a command line
Open Command Prompt.
Type the following command, and then press ENTER:
dnscmdServerName**/ZoneResetTypeZoneNameProperty [MasterIPaddress...] [/file** FileName] {/OverWrite_Mem|/OverWrite_Ds|/DirectoryPartition FQDN}
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
dnscmd |
Specifies the name of the command-line tool. |
ServerName |
Required. Specifies the Domain Name System (DNS) host name of the DNS server. You can also type the IP address of the DNS server. To specify the DNS server on the local computer, you can also type a period (.) |
ZoneName |
Required. Specifies the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of zone. |
Property |
Required. One of the following zone types:
|
/fileFileName |
Required for /Primary. Specifies the name of a file for the new zone. This parameter is not valid for the /DsPrimary zone type. |
MasterIPaddress... |
Required for /Secondary, /Stub and /DsStub. Specifies one or more IP addresses for the master servers of the secondary or stub zone, from which it copies zone data. |
/OverWrite_Mem|/OverWrite_Ds| /DirectoryPartitionFQDN |
/OverWrite_Mem overwrites exisiting DNS data using the data in Active Directory. /OverWrite_Ds overwrites Active Directory data with data in DNS. /DirectoryPartition stores the new zone in the application directory partition specified by FQDN, such as DomainDnsZones.corp.example.microsoft.com. |
| Format | Meaning |
|---|---|
Italic |
Information that the user must supply |
Bold |
Elements that the user must type exactly as shown |
Ellipsis (...) |
Parameter that can be repeated several times in a command line |
Between brackets ([]) |
Optional items |
Between braces ({}); choices separated by pipe (|). Example: {even|odd} |
Set of choices from which the user must choose only one |
Courier font |
Code or program output |
Additional considerations
To perform this procedure, you must be a member of the Administrators group on the local computer, or you must have been delegated the appropriate authority. If the computer is joined to a domain, members of the Domain Admins group might be able to perform this procedure. As a security best practice, consider using Run as to perform this procedure.
To open a command prompt, click Start, point to All programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command prompt.
This procedure requires the Dnscmd Windows support tool.
To view the complete syntax for this command, at a command prompt, type:
dnscmd/ZoneResetType/help
You can select from primary, secondary or stub zone. When selecting the secondary or stub zone type, you need to specify the IP address of another DNS server to be used as the source for obtaining updated information for the zone.
If the DNS server computer is operating as a domain controller, the option to change the zone type to Active Directory-integrated is available. This option is not otherwise available. When this zone type is selected for use, zone data is stored and replicated as part of the Active Directory database.
Changing a zone from secondary to primary type can affect other zone activities, including management of dynamic updates and zone transfers, and the use of DNS notify lists to notify other servers about changes in the zone.
Changing a zone from stub to primary type or vice versa is not recommended due to the purpose of stub zones.
Information about functional differences
- Your server might function differently based on the version and edition of the operating system that is installed, your account permissions, and your menu settings. For more information, see Viewing Help on the Web.