DNS failover to secondary server not working

[pgri]

Hello,

We've set up DNS on a Windows 2000 server (SP4)to handle all our internal domain names.

The DHCP server specifies 3 DNS servers: the primary is the internal DNS server and the secondary and tertiary are external internet DNS servers. Users have no problem resolving IP addresses internally or externally unless the primary server is shut down or the DNS service is stopped.

At that point if you try to access an internet site the "page cannot be displayed" message appears. I was under the impression that if the primary DNS server was unavailable the request would failover the the secondary server.

What do we need to do to configure failover to work properly?

Thanks

 

[wbg34]

On one of your (win2k or xp if available) clients go to Start --> run --> cmd. Type in ipconfig /all and paste the results please.

 

[pgri]

Windows 2000 IP Configuration



Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : peterg-dell8200
Primary DNS Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid

IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No


Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:



Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 3Com EtherLink 10/100 PCI For Complete PC Management NIC (3C905C-TX)
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-04-76-B8-FA-88

DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes

Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 208.10.202.125

Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 208.10.202.36

DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 208.10.202.59

DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 208.10.202.59
64.90.1.18
64.90.1.14
Primary WINS Server . . . . . . . : 208.10.202.129

Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Monday, June 30, 2003 7:06:48 AM

Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Thursday, July 24, 2003 7:06:48 AM