Windows Server DNS and DHCP Configuration on Azure

DNS and DHCP are foundational network infrastructure services that every Windows Server administrator must understand. DNS (Domain Name System) translates human-friendly domain names into IP addresses, while DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) automatically assigns IP addresses and network configuration to devices on a network. Properly configuring and managing these services is crucial for ensuring reliable network connectivity and name resolution in any organization.

In this lab, you will configure the DNS Server and DHCP Server roles using Powershell commands. You will create forward and reverse DNS lookup zones, add various DNS resource records including A, CNAME, MX, and PTR records, configure a DHCP scope with address ranges, exclusions, reservations, and lease duration settings, and test name resolution using nslookup and PowerShell DNS cmdlets.

Objectives

Upon completing this intermediate level lab, you will be able to:

• Install the DNS Server and DHCP Server roles on a pre-provisioned Windows Server VM using PowerShell
• Create forward and reverse DNS lookup zones and configure DNS resource records (A, CNAME, MX, PTR)
• Configure a DHCP scope with address ranges, exclusions, reservations, and lease duration settings
• Test DNS name resolution using nslookup and PowerShell DNS cmdlets
• Verify DHCP functionality using ipconfig and PowerShell DHCP cmdlets
• Understand Active Directory DNS integration concepts

Who is this lab for?

This lab is designed for:

• Windows Server administration students studying network infrastructure services, particularly those enrolled in BCIT ACIT 3420 or equivalent courses
• IT professionals preparing for roles that require DNS and DHCP management on Windows Server
• Cloud engineers who need to understand Windows Server networking roles for hybrid and cloud-hosted environments