UNIX Primary Domain Name Server Zone Transfer Does Not Complete (214495)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0
This article was previously published under Q214495

SYMPTOMS

During a zone transfer between a UNIX DNS server configured as a primary name server and a Windows NT 4.0 DNS server configured as a secondary name server, the following error messages may appear in the Event Viewer log:
Event ID: 702
Source: DNS
Description: New version 126 of zone zone name found at dns server at TCP/IP address of primary DNS zone transfer is in progress.

Event ID: 704
Source: DNS
Description: The zone zone name failed zone refresh check. Invalid response from DNS server at TCP/IP address of primary DNS. Check DNS server at TCP/IP address of primary DNS and ensure it is properly authoritative for this zone.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because the zone file on the UNIX DNS server contains non-RFC compliant characters. Some versions of UNIX permit the use of characters that cannot be recognized by a Windows NT DNS name server.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, perform the following steps:
  1. Copy the zone file from the primary UNIX DNS server to the %Systemroot%\System32\DNS folder on a test computer running Windows NT that has the Windows NT DNS service installed.
  2. Using the name of the zone file, create a primary zone. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools, and then click DNS Manager.
  3. Right-click the TCP/IP address of the computer, click New Zone, click Primary, and then click Next.
  4. Type the name of the zone file in the Zone name box, press TAB, click Next, and then click Finish.
  5. If you cannot create the new primary zone, check the Event Viewer system log for error messages. The error message will identify the line number that is causing the failure and may look like:
    Event ID: 203
    Source: DNS
    Description: DNS Server could not parse database file file name line line number.

    Event ID: 245
    Source: DNS
    Description: DNS Server encountered name outside zone, in zone file file name, line line number.
    Each error will be followed by the following event ID
    Event ID: 150
    Source: DNS
    Description: DNS Server could not create domain domain name.
  6. Using a text editor, correct or remove any non-RFC supported characters from the individual entries in the zone file using the line number noted above for reference. Repeat the zone creation process until no further errors are generated in the Event Viewer log.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/6/2002
Keywords:kb3rdparty kberrmsg kbnetwork kbprb KB214495
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.