Azure – Host name resolution without a DNS server

azuredomain-name-systemwindows-server-2008

I have a virtual network setup in the Azure cloud. The virtual machines (all with Windows Server 2008) can only identify each other by IP and not by host name. To do this I need to set up my own DNS server in the virtual network. I do not have the expertise to do this.

Is there not a way to locally configure DNS 'bindings' in each virtual machines' TCP/IP settings?

Best Answer

You'll have to add entries in each server's hosts file, located at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts. Run Notepad as administrator, then open this file and add lines like this, one line per server:

xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx myserver

I would advise that you invest in the time to deploy DNS in your environment. Managing hosts files does not scale whatosever past a small handful of machines.

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