Dynamic DNS updates do not work if the DHCP client service stops (264539)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server

This article was previously published under Q264539

SYMPTOMS

The client computer does not send dynamic Domain Name System (DNS) updates to the DNS server even though the Register this connection's address in DNS option is selected.

You receive the following error forcing DNS registration:
IPCONFIG /REGISTERDNS
Windows 2000 IP Configuration
Error: The system cannot find the file specified.
: Refreshing DNS names
Additionally, you may receive the following error message when you try to use the netdiag /fix command to correct DNS registration problems:
Warning!!!
LDAP unable to register SPN record for <FQDN>

CAUSE

Dynamic DNS registration relies on the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) client service to perform dynamic updates. When you disable or set the DHCP client service to start manually, it prevents dynamic DNS updates from occurring. Even if the client or server uses a static Internet Protocol (IP) address, the DHCP client service must be running for dynamic DNS updates to occur.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, you must configure the DHCP client service to start automatically when your computer system starts.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

If you require DNS names to be immediately registered, the DHCP client service can be restarted immediately. To do this, type the following command:

net start dhcp

To ensure that all names are correctly registered when you restart of the DHCP client service, you should type the ipconfig command with the registerdns option:

ipconfig /registerdns

If your computer is a domain controller, you must manually stop and restart NetLogon service. To do this, type the following commands:

net stop netlogon

net start netlogon

For more information on the DNS Client service and dynamic updates please refer to the Windows 2000 DNS white paper, which is available at the Microsoft Web site: Also, in the Windows 2000 Server, you can locate information in Help. To do so, click Start, click Help, on the Index tab navigate to "DNS dynamic updates, overview" and then to a section entitled "Example: How dynamic update works."

Note If the DHCP client service is not running on a Windows 2000 Advanced Server MSCS cluster node you may also see the following warning in the system event log:

Event id: 1119
Source: clussvc
Type: Warning
Description: The registration of DNS name 'IP address of cluster resource' for network name resource 'Name of cluster resource ' failed for the following reason: DNS Server failure


Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/20/2006
Keywords:kbnetwork kbprb KB264539