domain controller 2016 DNS zones empty

tarek H 181 Reputation points
2021-09-13T10:55:20.007+00:00

hello
I dont know what happen after scavenging all DNS records and folders are missing from my only domain controller
i have no backup as i didn't even have time to set up the backup
now i have this - how can i recreate the folders ? they are all missing like dc , _sites,_tcp , etc
I also have these events : The DNS server has loaded the zone _msdcs.Otojuste.local from file NULL on server DC.Otojuste.local. [virtualization instance: .].
The DNS server has loaded the zone Otojuste.local from file NULL on server DC.Otojuste.local. [virtualization instance: .].

looks like a file should exist in place of NULL

131605-dns.png

Windows Server
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Windows DHCP
Windows DHCP
Windows: A family of Microsoft operating systems that run across personal computers, tablets, laptops, phones, internet of things devices, self-contained mixed reality headsets, large collaboration screens, and other devices.DHCP: Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). A communications protocol that lets network administrators manage centrally and automate the assignment of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses in an organization's network.
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Accepted answer
  1. cthivierge 4,046 Reputation points
    2021-09-13T15:39:06.103+00:00

    From the test i have done, if the DNS Zone is AD integrated and it has never been changed for a file, you should be able to restart the netlogon service on the DC to recreate all folder /records.

    But if the DNS Zone has been configured into a file, event if revert configuration to AD integrated, you cannot recreate those records by restarting the Netlogon service

    Can you validate if the records are still in the Domain DNS Zone & Forest DNS Zone Partitions ?

    You can see this informations using the console adsiedit.msc

    Click Action / Connect To
    Click on the radio button "Select a well known Naming Context:
    Select Configuration
    Click Ok

    Open the configuration partition and click on CN=Partitions
    On the right side, right click on the DomainDNSZone and click on New Connection from Here
    You will have a connection to the DomainDNSZone on the left side

    Click on the DomainDNSZone on the left side and navigate to CN=MicrosoftDNS
    Under that, you should see the DNS Zones. Are you able to see the different records under each DNS Zones ?

    Do the same thing for the Forest DNSZone

    Also, what is the Scavenging configuration for the Refresh interval / No-Refresh interval ?


4 additional answers

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  1. cthivierge 4,046 Reputation points
    2021-09-13T13:01:50.863+00:00

    Hmmm... that's weird... normally a scavenging does not delete this...

    Have you tried to restart the netlogon service on the DC ?

    net stop netlogon && net start netlogon

    hth


  2. cthivierge 4,046 Reputation points
    2021-09-13T13:44:58.703+00:00

    Does the zones were AD Integrated of in a file (C:\Windows\System32\dns...) ?
    By default, the DNS zones are AD Integrated.


  3. tarek H 181 Reputation points
    2021-09-13T15:58:04.467+00:00

    yes i can see some

    131673-image.png

    i was able to run another dc , i can see everything in the dns .. is there a way to backup and restore ?

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  4. Limitless Technology 39,296 Reputation points
    2021-09-14T08:57:21.223+00:00

    Hello @tarek H ,

    Does your successfully registered DNS records are no longer present in a DNS zone?

    A cumulative list of reasons that cause DNS records to disappear from DNS zones are listed in the below link and Depending on the issue, the resolutions change.

    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/networking/dns-records-not-present

    Hope this answers all your queries, if not please do repost back.
    If an Answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it : )

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