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DNS and BIND: Create a Forward Zone File

Zone files are a key component of configuring DNS servers. In this lab we will configure a forward zone file, and add TTL, SOA, NS and A records. This allows a name server to resolve a query, given the hostname, and returns the IP address. This is the most common type of DNS query.

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Path Info

Level
Clock icon Intermediate
Duration
Clock icon 15m
Last updated
Clock icon Aug 07, 2025

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Table of Contents

  1. Challenge

    Install and Start the Named Service, then Create the File /var/named/fwd.labdomain.com.db 

    yum install -y bind
systemctl start named
vim /var/named/fwd.labdomain.com.db

  2. Challenge

    Add the TTL and SOA Records to the Zone File 

    
$TTL 86400  

@       IN      SOA     nameserver.labdomain.com.     root.labdomain.com.      (
                               10030   ;Serial
                               3600    ;Refresh
                               1800    ;Retry
                               604800  ;Expiry
                               86400   ;Minimum TTL
)

  3. Challenge

    Add the NS Record to the Zone File 

    @       IN      NS      nameserver.labdomain.com.

  4. Challenge

    Add the A Records to the Zone File 

    nameserver      IN      A       172.31.18.93
mailprod        IN      A       172.31.18.30
mailbackup      IN      A       172.31.18.72

  5. Challenge

    Add the CNAME Record to the Zone File 

    dns     IN      CNAME   nameserver.labdomain.com.

  6. Challenge

    Save the File and Quit the Editor 

    :wq
Pluralsight Skills - Labs - Pluralsight
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Pluralsight Skills

Pluralsight Skills gives leaders confidence they have the skills needed to execute technology strategy. Technology teams can benchmark expertise across roles, speed up release cycles and build reliable, secure products. By leveraging our expert content, skill assessments and one-of-a-kind analytics, keep up with the pace of change, put the right people on the right projects and boost productivity. It's the most effective path to developing tech skills at scale.

What's a lab?

Hands-on Labs are real environments created by industry experts to help you learn. These environments help you gain knowledge and experience, practice without compromising your system, test without risk, destroy without fear, and let you learn from your mistakes. Hands-on Labs: practice your skills before delivering in the real world.

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Follow along with the author’s guided walkthrough and build something new in your provided environment!

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