Configuring Snow Leopard Server DNS

After a brief phone call with Apple Server Tech Support, I was introduced to a method for configuring the DNS services correctly during the installation of Apple Snow Leopard 10.6 Server. Since the introduction of SL Server, the DNS services attempt to auto-configure during the initial installation. After a few installations at different clients, I found this "automagic" configuration to be incorrect in most of my attempts until I learned of the following pre-installation configuration recommendation:

1. Connect the machine (Xserve, Mac Pro, Mac Mini, etc...) to an ethernet cable plugged into either another Mac or switch that is NOT connected to the internet or any router that may contain any DNS settings or DHCP

2. When prompted during the installation for the server's IP address, router, and DNS, enter the static IP address you plan on using for the server in ALL three fields (i.e. EN0 IP: 10.10.10.5, Router IP: 10.10.10.5, DNS Servers: 10.10.10.5)

3. After doing this and finishing the installation, go to Server Admin. You won't see the DNS service listed but, after enabling it, the records necessary for configuring this machine as the PRIMARY DNS server will already be configured and will show up after turning the DNS service on!

I will continue to update this blog as additional tips for configuring Apple servers find their way into my routine. Please visit my website for more information about my services and company at: www.sourcenetworks.com. Thanks!