How to Create DNS zones and configure DNS settings

Introduction

In modern cloud environments, Domain Name System (DNS) plays a vital role in managing how applications and services communicate. Instead of relying on IP addresses, DNS provides user-friendly names that are easier to manage and remember. In this project, we focus on creating and configuring DNS zones and DNS settings within Microsoft Azure. By setting up private DNS zones, configuring DNS records, and integrating DNS settings with a virtual network, we ensure reliable name resolution for resources, improve security, and simplify network management.

Tasks to Cover

• Create and configure a private DNS zone – to manage DNS records within a secure, isolated environment.
• Create and configure DNS records – to map domain names to IP addresses or other resources.
• Configure DNS settings on a virtual network – to ensure virtual machines and services in the VNet can resolve names efficiently.

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 as 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

By completing this project, a fully functional DNS infrastructure is established within Azure. Private DNS zones and records provide centralized management of domain names, while linking DNS settings to the virtual network ensures seamless name resolution across applications and services. This configuration not only improves accessibility and connectivity but also enhances security by keeping DNS resolution internal to the environment. Overall, the project demonstrates how DNS in Azure can simplify network operations and provide a scalable foundation for future workloads.