Primary and Active Directory Integrated Zones Differences

With Windows 2000, after you create your first domain controller, you can change your domain name server (DNS) zone from primary to Active Directory integrated.

Before Windows 2000, zones worked in the same way as BIND does. A primary server processes all changes, and these changes are then pulled from secondary servers. No changes can be made to the secondary servers.

With Windows 2000, you can integrate your zones into Active Directory, and this permits all servers to accept updates. During directory replication, the zone information is distributed to all the other DNS servers in your domain. Note that only DNS servers running on Windows 2000-based domain controllers can be Active Directory integrated.

To change your zone type:

1. Start the DNS MMC.
2. Right-click the zone you want to change.
3. Click Change, click Active Directory integrated, and then click OK.