Active Directory Cookbook

13.4. Converting a Zone to an AD-Integrated Zone

Problem

You want to convert a primary zone to an AD-integrated zone. This causes the contents of the zone to be stored and replicated in Active Directory instead of in a text file.

Solution

Using a graphical user interface

1. Open the DNS Management snap-in.

2. Right-click on DNS in the left pane and select Connect to DNS Server.

3. Enter the server you want to connect to and click Enter.

4. If you want to convert a forward zone, expand the Forward Lookup Zone folder. If you want to convert a reverse zone, expand the Reverse Lookup Zone folder.

5. Click on the zone you want to convert, then right-click it and select Properties.

6. Beside Type, click the Change button.

7. Check the box beside Store the zone in Active Directory.

8. Click OK twice.

Using a command-line interface

> dnscmd <ServerName> /zoneresettype <ZoneName> /DsPrimary

Using VBScript

' This code converts a zone to AD-integrated.
' ------ SCRIPT CONFIGURATION ------
strZone   = "<ZoneName>"    ' e.g. rallencorp.com
strServer = "<ServerName>"  ' e.g. dc1.rallencorp.com
' ------ END CONFIGURATION ---------

set objDNS = GetObject("winMgmts:\\" & strServer & "\root\MicrosoftDNS")
set objDNSServer = objDNS.Get("MicrosoftDNS_Server.Name="".""")
set objDNSZone = objDNS.Get("MicrosoftDNS_Zone.ContainerName=""" & _
                            strZone & """,DnsServerName=""" & _
                            objDNSServer.Name & """,Name=""" & strZone & """")
strNull = objDNSZone.ChangeZoneType(0, True)
objDNSZone.Put_
WScript.Echo "Converted " & strZone & " to AD-Integrated"