CITA 310 Lab
Lab 3 DNS Configuration:
Remember: Document, Document, and Document!
NOTE: Although we will be using the textbook as a guide, some detail in your configuration will differ
from the text. Make sure to document your configuration. Don’t rely on the information in the text as
being accurate for your installation.
Part I: Preparation:
1) Make sure your system is connected to the network.
2) Boot Linux then perform multiple system updates until no more updates are available.
3) Confirm that all necessary BIND packages are installed.
4) Confirm that all necessary APACHE packages are installed.
5) Choose a fictional host.domain for testing. Confirm via a web browser or other tools that the domain is
invalid, that is – not in use on the world wide web.
6) Make sure the Apache Web Server Software and DNS Server software are installed for your Linux
Operating System. Install them using the install DVD if necessary.
7) Run ifconfig to determine your DHCP assigned address and that you are connected to the network. If you
are not receiving a valid 136.204.n.n network address, troubleshoot and rectify the situation.
8) Reconfigure your network card for a static IP address of 136.204.168.9X, where X is your team’s assigned
number.
9) Restart the network. From the command line this can be accomplished with /etc/init.d/network restart
10) Run ifconfig to confirm that your static IP address is now being used. If it is not, troubleshoot and rectify the
situation.
11) We will start the web (httpd) services so we will have something to test whether DNS is doing its job.
12) Start (or restart) the httpd daemon. From the command line this can be accomplished with /etc/init.d/httpd
restart
13) Confirm that browsing to each of the following brings up the default apache web test page:
a) 127.0.0.1
b) localhost
c) 136.204.168.9X
14) To distinguish your system from others create and test a simple web page that displays your fictional
domain name.
Part II: Configuring DNS for Linux
Configure DNS per the verbal discussion in class and lab.
a) Attempt a GUI configuration first.
b) If necessary change configuration files from a terminal session.
{Can you do this entirely from the GUI with Core 10?}
15) Create a forward lookup file for your fictional domain using page 150 in your text as a guide, but simplify
the file to exclude CNAME and MX records. Save the file in /var/named/chroot/var/named/ (This directory
may vary for some installations. Give the file the correct name for use by the named.conf file.
16) Create a reverse lookup file using page 153 in your text as a guide. As with the forward lookup file, simplify
the file as much as possible. Save the file in the same directory as the previous step and give the file the
correct name for use by the named.conf file.
17) Locate and the named.conf file for your installation and modify it to add the two zone entries for your
fictional domain. The example on page 157 of your text may be of some help.
