DNS Problems

Hi Guys, A DNS problem that I've seen a few times now and haven't been able to figure out. My schooling was back in the days of NT4.0, so I didn't get much DNS, and now XP Pro with an AD domain controller is giving me some problems. As I'm sure you know, XP logging into an AD domain controller is EXTREMELY slow if the workstation doesn't have the local ADDC server as it's Primary DNS. The problem I've seen now a few times is that when the domain name of the local domain is the same as the 'remotely hosted' domain name of a resource (mail server or web server), a connection cannot be established because the ADDC DNS server isn't pointing to the resource out on the web.

Example: ADDC DNS server name of 'mydomain.com'. Browse to 'www.mydomain.com' isn't redirected to resource on internet when accessed by a workstation. (get a page not found/DNS error)

I've removed the '.' Entry in the DNS server and enabled forwarding, also tried static host to point to IP of webserver, which worked but web and mail server IP's change sometimes (Valueweb Hosted). I also tried the ISP's DNS as the Alternate DNS of the workstation, but that didn't seem to help either.

1)Is it possible to change the domain name of a local server after it's already configured and running? (easy solution if available)
2)Does anyone know of any good reading on the subject (local DNS)? I've dug quite a bit but haven't found much on this particular problem.
3)Of course, most would think to name their local domain the same as their business domain, to anticipate Exchange, or hosting webpages locally, any ideas of what could work better?

Let me know if you need more info, and if I'm asking too much, even just an answer to #2 would be a great help, Thanks.

 

I'm pretty clueless about networking with domains but maybe these MS KB articles can help:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=178009
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=292541

 

Thanks, but it's their only server, not in mixed mode. Looks like I might have to start from scratch. Thanks for trying

 

Could you clarify soem things
First i take it you have a local sever set up, and you use it as a web server/mail server for a company. And its local?
thanks

 

Well it's a local server, an Active Directory Primary Domain Controller, running Win2k Small Business Server. The E-mail and Webpages are hosted remotely (on ValueWeb). They use the Exchange as interoffice and as their e-mail storage, but still use their old pop3 e-mail accounts that are hosted remotely. The problem is that the DNS name of the local server is MyDomain.com, and the e-mail & webservers are 'mail.MyDomain.com' and 'www.MyDomain.com'. The local DNS server does not know where to point for the 'mail.' or 'www.' hosts. Also, ValueWebs IP's seem to change quite often for those hosts. Please let me know if you need more info.