The benefits of dynamic DNS
 
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Many networks use dynamic host control protocol (DHCP) to dynamically assign IP addresses to workstations as needed. This has a number of benefits:
*There's no need to go from PC to PC setting up static addresses every time your network infrastructure changes.
* You only need as many addresses as will be in use at any one time, rather than having one for every possible user of IP.
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On the other hand, most networks also use a static domain name service (DNS), which needs to be updated manually in order to do its job of translating workstation names to IP addresses. As long as no one has to access DHCP address-supplied workstations via DNS, this isn't a major headache. But even minor irritations can build up into big problems if left to fester too long.
Windows 2000's Active Directory institutes dynamic DNS (DDNS) to help alleviate this problem. While DDNS is fairly new, and has yet to be accepted as a standard by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), it is on the standards track, and should soon be accepted. DDNS can also be used by Unix hosts running BIND Version 8 or higher (BIND is the DNS service for Unix based on the Berkley distribution).
Using DHCP to update DNS is an optional feature of Windows 2000, and is not required for deployment of Active Directory. If your DHCP system is not capable of dynamic updates, you can continue to update DNS manually. It is also important to note that your entire network does not need to support dynamic updates. It is recommended, but not required, that the authoritative DNS server for the Windows 2000 domain support dynamic updates.
Also, if you choose to update DNS manually with records for Active Directory, Windows 2000 will output the records in a standard text file format on each domain controller, and the records can be pasted directly into a DNS zone file. But, if at all possible, you should go with DDNS and save possible headaches further down the road.
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