DNS Server's Root Hints and Forwarder Pages Are Unavailable

Clients that use a DNS server may not be able to gain access to hosts on the Internet. When you try to configure root hints or forwarders on the DNS server, the options for these items may be unavailable.

A DNS server behaves as a root server if there is a zone named "." on the server. The "." zone indicates that the server is a top-level root server. Because a root server is at the top of the DNS hierarchy, it cannot be configured to forward and does not require root hints.

When you run the Active Directory Installation Wizard (Dcpromo.exe), you can configure a DNS server on the local computer and configure the forward lookup zones. The wizard examines the TCP/IP configuration on the computer and determines whether the computer is configured to use any DNS servers. If so, the Active Directory Installation Wizard queries for the root servers. If the computer is not configured to use any DNS servers, the wizard queries the root servers that are listed in the Cache.dns file (the Internet root servers). If the wizard cannot contact any root servers, it configures the local computer as a root server and creates the "." zone.

To resolve this issue:

1. Delete the "." zone by using DNS Manager, or type the following command at a command prompt:
   dnscmd /ZoneDelete . /DsDel
   Note The /DsDel switch is required only if the zone is integrated with Active Directory.
2. Right-click the DNS server name, and then click Refresh to refresh the screen. The root hints and forwarders are now enabled.