DNS Server (2008) failing until root hints updated

Hi,

I've got a new (about 1 month) server 2008 box out at a clients and
periodically it stops serving DNS requests. Restarting the DNS Server service
has no effect but running a manual "copy from server" in the root hints tab
of the DNS server resovles the issue.

There are no enlightening events in the logs to shed any light. Has anyone
else experienced this phenomenom at all? It's the first live 2008 server I've
deployed and if this is a known problem then I could do with having the
resolution clear to avoid/solve in the future.

IPV6 is enabled as Exchange 2007 is installed, it grumbled about it not
being available, and it is the IPv6 addresses that appear next to the IPV4
addresses when the "copy from server" button is hit.

Regards

Greg

 

Hello GregSteer,

If you don't use IPv6 you can uncheck it on the NIC properties. What exactly
do you mean with "periodically it stops serving DNS requests"? What are the
error message or symptoms on the clients?

Best regards

Meinolf Weber

 

Hi Meinolf,

The times vary, so far its happened 3 times since installation with gaps of
7, 5 and 10 days. The clients simply start failing to receive DNS responses,
ie they are unable to reach the internet, although internal routing appears
to be working ok.

A quick "copy from server" in the root hints fixes it which is the oddest
thing.

Nothing is using ipv6 as far as I am aware although I'm hesitant to disable
it as Exchange 2007 insisted on it being enable during installation.

Regards

Greg

 

Hello GregSteer,

Have you configured the Forwarders on the DNS server properties in the DNS
management console or do you use your ISP's DNS ip on the NIC's?

Best regards

Meinolf Weber

 

Hi Meinholf,

No forwarders are set, settings on local NIC point to the server itself for
DNS.

<<< SNIP >>>

 

As an additional I do know that I can put the forwarders in and it would
probably solve the issue, but I've got plenty of 2000/2003 boxes out there in
this setup that have worked fine from day 1 and are still working, it's odd
that the first 2008 server where IPv6 is install is having issues.

Thoughts?

<< SNIP >>

 

I have what might be a similar situation, so I am posting to this thread
because it may be a related issue. I too, have a relatively new 2008 box
with Exchange 2007 that stops (times out) on DNS request. Outlook 2007 on
the client PC seems to be the leading indicator as program goes into
“disconnect†mode. I have DNS forwarders set on this single homed server.
The DHCP service passes itself as the primary DNS and the ISP’s DNS as the
secondary – so internet browsing is not affected. So, when I restart the DNS
service on the server, the PC still do not resolve DNS. It is not until I
restart the DNS client on the server that the PC is able to resolve DNS
requests to the server. This fix is almost instantaneous and does not
require the copy mentioned in this thread. This service restart is not a
good long term solution. The server logs do not report any DNS issues and
the services are listed as “started†before I bounce them.

I hate to trample on the original poster’s question, but have you tried
restarting the DNS services on the server? If so, we might have the same
problem.


- Curt

 

Hi Curt,

Thanks for the response - I've been away so only just read it. It does sound
like you have exactly the same issue as myself, I have tried restarting the
DNS Server Service which did not resolve anything but did not actually try
restarting the DNS Client Service on the server, next time the company in
question calls to let us know of the problem I'll test this.

Regards

Greg

 

Hello,

For us, it has been over a week since the last reported DNS incident. We
all know how difficult it is to diagnose these (seemingly) random issues.
Although it is counterintuitive to restart the DNS client on the server in
this situation, this was my experience. Perhaps you will have a different
result.

Thanks,

- Curt