Am I able to set up a Microsoft DNS server without AD ? If yes, how ?

Question

I have an organization with approximately 1000 users of whom 90% of them are remote users. These users will use VPN to access a web-based application in the organization's network. I want to set up a dedicated DNS server so that remote users accessing the network can be resolved by their hostnames. The thing is there are about 1000 remote users and 100 concurrent users at any time.

Am I able to set up a DNS server (using Microsoft Windows Server 2003) without setting up an Active Directory ? Can DNS run without AD ?

Answer 1

Yes DNS can run without AD. (In fact it probably is running now or your server would not be able to resolve internet addresses) You will need to add the local ZONE files for it to resolve the local machines.

There are alot of good books on the subject. You will need one to make this work.

Answer 2

No. it will be installed anyway.. the thing you saying like buying a car without an engine.