LAB NO: 7
DNS Server Configuration in Cisco Packet Tracer
Objective:
The aim of this experiment is to configure a DNS (Domain Name System) server in Cisco
Packet Tracer, allowing the client (PC) to resolve domain names into IP addresses using a
switch and DNS server.
Apparatus Devices:
1. PC (Client)
2. DNS Server
3. Switch
4. Copper Straight-Through cables
Network Topology:
• PC connected to a Switch
• DNS Server connected to the same Switch
Theory:
A DNS (Domain Name System) server is a fundamental part of the internet’s infrastructure.
It translates human-readable domain names (like [Link]) into IP addresses
(like [Link]) that computers use to identify each other on the network.
Steps for DNS Server Configuration:
Step 1: Setup Network Topology
1. Place devices in the workspace:
o 1 PC (Client)
o 1 DNS Server
o 1 Switch
2. Connect the devices:
o Use Copper Straight-Through cables to connect the PC and DNS Server to
the Switch.
Step 2: Configure the DNS Service on the server
1. Assign an IP address: Give the DNS server a static IP address ([Link]) within
your network. This IP address will be used by other devices to locate the DNS server.
2. Access DNS Service:
o Click on the server, go to the Services tab, and select DNS from the list of
services on the left.
3. Enable DNS:
o Toggle the DNS Service to On.
4. Add DNS Records:
o Under Resource Records, add the domain name and corresponding IP
address.
o Example:
▪ Name: mywebsite
▪ Type: A Record (default)
▪ Address: [Link] (server IP)
o Click Add, then Save.
Step 3: Configure HTTP Service on the Server
1. Enable HTTP Service:
o On the server, navigate to the Services tab and select HTTP.
o Ensure the HTTP service is turned On.
2. Edit the Default HTML Page:
o In the HTML section, you can edit the webpage that will be displayed when
the domain is accessed.
For example, modify the HTML to include a simple message:
<html>
<h1> Hello Cisco </h1>
</html>
After editing, click Save to store the changes.
Step 4: Configure PC Clients
• Assign IP addresses: Provide each PC with a static IP address within the same
network as the DNS server.
• Configure DNS server address: In the PC’s network settings, specify the IP address
of the DNS server you created in Step 2. This tells the PC where to send DNS queries.
Step 5: Verify DNS Configuration
1. Test the Configuration from the PC:
o On the PC, go to the Desktop tab and open Command Prompt.
o Type ping ‘mywebsite’ and press enter.
o The DNS should resolve ‘mywebsite’ to the server's IP address ([Link]),
and the ping should succeed if the DNS resolution is correct.
2. Web Browser Test:
o From the client PC, open the Web Browser. Type ‘mywebsite’ in the address
bar. You should see the updated webpage, which reflects the HTML content
you saved.
