How to export DNS Zone from one Windows Server and import to another (Non-AD DNS)

This article will show you how to export a DNS Zone from one Windows Server and import it into another.

The migrate dns server from 2012 to 2016 is a tutorial that will teach you how to export DNS Zone from one Windows Server and import it to another.

We’ll go through how to export DNS server zones from one Windows Server (I’m testing on 2019) to another fast. This is not a tutorial for AD zones; rather, it is a quick instruction for anybody who has a basic DNS server that isn’t part of Active Directory.

Before we get started, let’s have a look at

There isn’t much to say except that we’ll export the DNS zone from one server and import it into another. Important note: If you’re using DNS as part of Active Directory, this isn’t for you. There are various online tutorials that will show you how to accomplish this. Even if the process is easy, it isn’t the same.

For this test, I have two Windows Server 2019 installations. One WS2019 installation (DNSTest1) is hosting one DNS zone called informatiker.test, while another (DNSTest2) is empty, has just the DNS role deployed, and is awaiting zone import.

Because both computers are in the same Workgroup, there is no need for a domain.

My DNS zone is not Active Directory integrated, as you can see.

How-to-export-DNS-Zone-from-one-Windows-Server-and

DNS Zones may be exported from the DNSTest1 server.

First, we’ll launch Powershell (as an administrator) on the computer where our DNS zones are presently stored.

By entering in, we’ll get a list of all DNS zones that are presently active on the server.

Get-DNSServerZone 1632171906_175_How-to-export-DNS-Zone-from-one-Windows-Server-and

Okay, we’ll need an informatician. DNS zone testing It is the main zone for forward lookups.

Export may be done using the Export-DNSServerZone command or dnscmd. We’ll use the Export-DNS… command.

Here’s an example. In my case, “zonename” refers to the name of the zone I want to export, which is informatiker.test. Zonefilebackupname is the name we’ll give to the informatiker.test zone’s backup file. My file will be called informatiker.test.bak.

“” “” Export-DNSServerZone “”

So, here’s how my command appears.

1632171906_305_How-to-export-DNS-Zone-from-one-Windows-Server-and

What happened to the backup file we made? In the folder C:WindowsSystem32dns

1632171907_698_How-to-export-DNS-Zone-from-one-Windows-Server-and

Now it’s time to copy informatiker.test. We want to import DNS zone to The DNSTest2 server by copying the bak file to our new server.

DNSTest2 DNS Server: Import informatiker.test.bak

I transferred informatiker.test.bak from TestDNS1 to TestDNS2. I saved it in the C:WindowsSystem32dns directory.

1632171907_72_How-to-export-DNS-Zone-from-one-Windows-Server-and

Before moving on to the next step, make sure you have hidden items and file names extensions enabled in File Explorer’s View menu.

We’ll change informatiker.test.bak to informatiker.test.dns immediately.

Yes confirms that you wish to alter the file extension.

1632171908_39_How-to-export-DNS-Zone-from-one-Windows-Server-and

Now we’ve got informatiker. DNSTest2 server’s test.dns file

1632171908_926_How-to-export-DNS-Zone-from-one-Windows-Server-and

But how will we get that file onto our new DNS server?

On the TestDNS2 server, I’ll launch DNS Manager, expand my DNS server name, right-click on Forward Lookup Zones, and choose New Zone.

1632171909_932_How-to-export-DNS-Zone-from-one-Windows-Server-and

Next

1632171909_872_How-to-export-DNS-Zone-from-one-Windows-Server-and

The primary zone is

1632171910_13_How-to-export-DNS-Zone-from-one-Windows-Server-and

I’m going to call the zone informatiker.test, just as it was on the TestDNS1 server.

1632171910_57_How-to-export-DNS-Zone-from-one-Windows-Server-and

The next screen is the most crucial. We’ll choose “Use this existing file” and the file informatiker.test.dns will emerge. Notice how the wording below specifies that it must be placed in the server’s WindowsSystem32dns folder. It is, and we have already completed it. Next

1632171911_883_How-to-export-DNS-Zone-from-one-Windows-Server-and

I’m not going to enable dynamic updates.

1632171911_308_How-to-export-DNS-Zone-from-one-Windows-Server-and

Now it’s time for the truth to be told: we’re done. Finish

1632171912_433_How-to-export-DNS-Zone-from-one-Windows-Server-and

Let’s have a look at DNS management…

Everything I had on the TestDNS1 server has been transferred to the TestDNS2 server.

1632171912_667_How-to-export-DNS-Zone-from-one-Windows-Server-and

When you right-click on the SOA record and choose Properties, you’ll see that the General tab and Start of Authority are identical to those on your previous server.

1632171913_483_How-to-export-DNS-Zone-from-one-Windows-Server-and

However, if you look at the Name Servers, WINS, and Zone Transfers page, you’ll see that these settings aren’t transferred!!

On the Name Servers page, I only see DNSTest1 and not TestDNS2.

1632171913_538_How-to-export-DNS-Zone-from-one-Windows-Server-and

For the information, go to the Zone Transfers page on TestDNS1 (the server we exported from). zone of experimentation

1632171914_226_How-to-export-DNS-Zone-from-one-Windows-Server-and

TestDNS2 (the server we copied to) informatiker.test zone transfers tab

1632171914_116_How-to-export-DNS-Zone-from-one-Windows-Server-and

Quickly go through all of the tabs, double-checking settings and records to ensure that everything is in order.

So, what’s next?

When you’re confident everything fits on your new DNS servers, point your public IP (or private IP) to it and shut down your old one. Don’t forget to double-check that DNS is routed via your machine’s and router’s firewalls.

That ought should do it.

Disclaimer

The export dns records windows server 2016 is a process that allows users to export DNS Zone from one Windows Server and import it to another (Non-AD DNS).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I copy a DNS zone to another server?

You can use the following command to copy a DNS zone from one server to another.

How do I export DNS forward lookup zone?

To export a DNS forward lookup zone, you will need to use the nslookup command.

How do I export and import DNS?

To export your current DNS settings, go to the Settings tab in Beat Saber. Click on Export Settings. Then, type a name for your exported file and press Export.

Related Tags

  • migrate dns server from 2012 to 2019
  • export dns records windows server 2012
  • export all dns zones and records with powershell
  • windows dns export all records
  • export import dns list to another server