DNS Options

DNS is essential for ‘name lookup’ ability for the computers on your network. While Qbik recommend using the DNS in WinGate, there are other options. Various methods are detailed below, with their pros and cons.

WinGate DNS server.

This default method is the simplest yet in many ways, most powerful. The WinGate DNS server automatically recognizes the name ‘wingate’ and will return the IP of the WinGate machine. This eliavates the need for hosts files.

This method is not suitable if you want to have external name resolution for your site, ie if you have a domain name, you will need to run a third party DNS Server.

Mapped Link method.

This method is detailed in Adding a Mapped Link. The UDP Mapped link on port 53 allows all DNS requests to be mapped to an external DNS server. This is usually that of your ISP. This gives you access to a full DNS implementation, without having to run a third party server.

This method is not suitable if you want to have external name resolution for your site, ie if you have a domain name, you will need to run a third party DNS Server. This does not provide name lookup for the name ‘wingate’. Clients can use hosts files if they wish to refer to the name ‘wingate’.

Third party DNS Server.

Running a stand-alone DNS server such as Bind is necessary if you have a domain name for your server. In this case, clients will receive their DNS service from the third party server. This does not provide name lookup for the name ‘wingate’. Clients can use hosts files if they wish to refer to the name ‘wingate’.

Note: Getting DNS working on your client machines can be tricky. We strongly recommend using the WinGate DNS and DHCP servers to simplify this process.