Microsoft KB Archive/945765

= Domain Controller boots up slowly when pointing to itself as the only DNS server =

Article ID: 945765

Article Last Modified on 11/30/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)

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Source: Microsoft Support



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Action


Result
The Windows Server 2003 domain controller boots up very slowly. It may take more than 15 minutes for the domain controller to boot up.

This may occur when the following situations are true:

1. There are several domain controllers in the forest.

2. The Domain Controller is a DNS server.

3. The server points to itself as the DNS server, and no secondary DNS server is configured.



Cause
Windows Server 2003 domain controllers would try a replication first when booting up. This depends on DNS. When the DNS server service is also installed on the domain controller, it tries to load Active Directory integrated zones. However, since the intial replication is not finished, this fails too.

Therefore, when the Domain Controller points to itself as the only DNS server, the problem occurs when the computer reboots.



Resolution
To resolve this issue, point the Domain Controller to at least two DNS servers.

Option 1: Point it to use a remote DNS server as the preferred DNS server, and use itself as the secondary DNS server.

Option 2: Point to itself as the preferred DNS server, and use another DNS server as the secondary DNS server.

You may refer to the documents listed in the &quot;More Information&quot; section about the best practices for DNS setting.



MoreInformation
Best practices for DNS client settings in Windows 2000 Server and in Windows Server 2003

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;825036

DNS Server becomes an island when a domain controller points to itself for the _msdcs.ForestDnsName domain

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/275278/

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Keywords: kbnomt kbrapidpub KB945765

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