Windows Server 2003 DNS includes a new feature called conditional forwarders. Conditional forwarders are used to forward queries for a specific domain name to a set of DNS servers for that domain.

Normally a DNS server forwards all queries it cannot resolve locally to a forwarder, however, Windows Server 2003 DNS servers can be configured to forward queries to different forwarders according to the domain name contained in the query. To create a conditional forwarder you need the FQDN and the IP address(es) of the DNS server(s) for the domain. With this information open up the DNS Management MMC and drill down to the DNS server. In the right pane, click Forwarders to open up the forwarders properties. Click the New button and enter the FQDN of the domain you want to forward to. Next click Add to enter the IP address of the domains DNS server. If the domain has multiple DNS servers you can add all the IP addresses. Once you are ready click Apply to save the changes.

In this example all DNS requests for copperhat.com will be sent to the server at the IP address 111.111.111.111. All other queries will be sent to the DNS servers listed for "All other DNS domains".

For more information see:

DNS Tips

Resource Kit