DNS Server 2012 R2 and can it host a 2016 domain as well as a 2012 R2 domain?

James Holloway56

I have a Server 2012 R2 domain and have a DNS server running on DC01.

I want to start working with Server 2016 and I wanted to know if there is a way I can point these new 2016 servers to the 2012 r2 DC01 and create a NEW Primary DNS Scope for the 2016 servers.

I don't want to just add them to my current 2012 R2 scope since it works great and I wanted to know if I is possible to just could create a NEW scope for the 2016 and how do I point the 2016 servers to go to that new scope if possible?

Mike Rodrick

Hey James,

I'm not sure what you are trying to accomplish. When you say you want to create a new DNS scope for your 2016 servers, do you mean a separate domain?

Your current DNS server can host multiple DNS zones, so you could create a new zone for your new 2016 domain. But that would mean setting up a new DC for your new domain, and you might as well put DNS on the new domain controller for that domain.

If you just want the new 2016 servers to be in a workgroup, they can use the same DNS server as your domain machines. You will have to adjust your DNS server settings to allow unsecured dynamic updates, or manually create the records.

If you give me some more information on what you are trying to accomplish, I can give you some more help.

Be careful with your terminology, it will get you on the exam ;)
Scope - DHCP
Zones - DNS
Domains - Active Directory

Thanks for watching,

Mike