How to Create DNS zones and configure DNS settings

Introduction

In today’s cloud infrastructure, the Domain Name System (DNS) is a cornerstone for managing communication between applications and services. Rather than depending on complex IP addresses, DNS enables the use of intuitive and human-readable names, simplifying both access and management. This project focuses on implementing and configuring DNS zones and settings within Microsoft Azure. By creating private DNS zones, defining DNS records, and linking DNS configurations with a virtual network, we establish secure and efficient name resolution, enhance network reliability, and streamline resource management.

Tasks to Cover

• Create and configure a private DNS zone – to manage DNS records in a secure and isolated Azure environment.
• Create and configure DNS records – to associate domain names with IP addresses or other Azure resources.
• Configure DNS settings on a virtual network – to enable seamless and efficient name resolution for virtual machines and services within the VNet.

Step 1 Create a private DNS zone

Azure Private DNS provides a reliable, secure DNS service to manage and resolve domain names in a virtual network without the need to add a custom DNS solution. By using private DNS zones, you can use your own custom domain names rather than the Azure-provided names.

• On the Azure portal, search for and select Private dns zones.
  

• Select + Create and configure the DNS zone.
  

• Subscription: Select your subscription

• Resource group: RG1

• Name: private.contoso.com

• Region: East US

• Select Review + create
  

• Select Create.
  

• Wait for the DNS zone to deploy, and then select Go to resource.
  

Step 2 Create a virtual network link to your private DNS zone

To resolve DNS records in a private DNS zone, resources must be linked to the private zone. A virtual network link associates the virtual network to the private zone.

• In the portal, continue working on the private.contoso.com DNS zone.

• In the DNS Management blade, select + Virtual network links.
  

• Select + Add” and configure the virtual network link.
  Link name: app-vnet-link
  Virtual network: app-vnet
  Enable auto registration: Enabled
  Select Create and wait for the deployment to finish. If necessary, Refresh the page.
  

• The virtual ntework as been link to the private DNS zone
  

Step 3 Create a DNS record set

DNS records provide information about the DNS zone.

• In the portal, continue working on the private.contoso.com DNS zone.
• In the DNS Management blade, select + Recordsets.

• Notice that two A records have automatically been created for each of the virtual machines.
  

• Select + Add and configure a record set. When finished select Add.

• Name: backend

• Type: A

• TTL: 1

• IP address: 10.1.1.5
  

• DNS recordset has been created
  
  Note: This record set implies there is a virtual machine in app-vnet with a private IP address of 10.1.1.5.

Conclusion
Completing this project results in a robust DNS infrastructure within Azure, tailored for efficiency and scalability. By leveraging private DNS zones and records, domain name management becomes centralized and streamlined. Integrating DNS configurations with the virtual network ensures consistent and reliable name resolution across all connected services and applications.

Beyond improved connectivity, this setup strengthens security by keeping DNS resolution internal—minimizing exposure and reducing risk. Ultimately, this project showcases how Azure DNS can simplify network administration while laying a scalable groundwork for future cloud-based workloads.