Installing the DNS role on a Server Core installation

You can install a DNS server on a Server Core installation of Windows Server 2008 using the command line to perform the installation part and a remote connection to configure and manage DNS services. This option may become handy when your environment requires a separate DNS service and the use of a dedicated Virtual Machine (VM) is not justified. Also, note that you can still install a DNS server on a Server Core installation acting as a stand-alone or member server! The following command allows you to install the DNS server:

start /w ocsetup DNS-Server-Core-Role

And to uninstall it, type the following:

start /w ocsetup DNS-Server-Core-Role /uninstall

The second part of the DNS implementation requires you to configure the server using the DNS Manager snap-in. You need to start the DNS Manager from a remote location and connect to the Server Core installation by right clicking the root icon in the DNS Manager console tree and then choose Connect to DNS Server.  

If you are planning to install a DNS server along with a domain controller on a Server Core installation then you can use the command Dcpromo with an answer file. For instance, at the command prompt type:

Dcpromo /unattend:<unattendfile>

Where unattendfile is the name of the answer file.

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