In this chapter, we discussed planning and configuring a Windows Server 2003 network to support host name and NetBIOS name resolution. Name resolution is the process of resolving names to IP addresses to enable communication between computers. Because names are easier to remember than numbered IP addresses, name resolution makes it easier for users to connect to resources on the intranet or Internet.

Host name resolution occurs whenever name resolution occurs through the WinSock interface. This will occur whenever a WinSock application, such as Internet Explorer, FTP, and Telnet, requires name resolution or when a name that needs to be resolved to an IP address is longer than 15 characters or includes dots.

NetBIOS name resolution occurs whenever the NetBT interface is used. This will occur, for example, when a user connects to a file share using a UNC-formatted name such as \\ computer\ sharename, or when the user issues a net command, such as net view. Some applications are written specifically for the NetBIOS interface and will use NetBIOS name resolution.

DNS is a requirement for AD and is responsible for ensuring that resources, such as domain controllers, can be located by other computers. The DNS namespace is based on the domain tree of AD, and the hierarchical DNS domain namespace mirrors the hierarchical AD domain tree. To support AD, the DNS server must be able to use SRV records, which are a special kind of RR that allows computers to locate...