DNS > Configuring a Forwarder for Internet Access

A forwarder is a DNS server on a network that forwards DNS queries for external DNS names to DNS servers outside of that network. By using a forwarder, you can manage how names outside of your network are resolved, such as names on the Internet.
When you designate a DNS server as a forwarder, you make that forwarder responsible for handling external traffic. If you are not using a firewall to isolate your network from the Internet, you should use a forwarder to provide Internet access to clients on your network.

Note
Connecting your network directly to the Internet without using a firewall to control external access to your network computers can result in serious security issues. Microsoft strongly recommends that you use a firewall instead of a forwarder to provide Internet connectivity for your network clients.

To configure a DNS server to use a forwarder :

1. At the DNS server that you want to configure to use forwarders, click Start, point to Administrative tools, and then click DNS.
2. In the console tree, click the applicable DNS server.
3. On the Action menu, click Properties.
4. On the Forwarders tab, under DNS domain, click All other domain names.
5. Under Selected domain's forwarder IP address list, type the Internet Protocol (IP) address of a forwarder supplied by your Internet service provider (ISP), and then click Add.
6. Click OK to exit.