Developing the Network Services Design

This chapter discusses ways to develop a network service infrastructure design that meets the business and technical requirements of an organization. Networks are often already running one or more network services, such as the Domain Name System (DNS), Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), and remote access services. These are common services used on Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) networks. The DNS is a service that resolves host names to IP addresses and vice versa. A DNS design capable of interacting with the Windows Server 2003 Active Directory needs to be developed. A DNS design includes selecting a DNS namespace that must incorporate each Active Directory domain. WINS is the service that resolves Network Basic Input/Output System (NetBIOS) names to IP addresses. NetBIOS names are being phased out on Microsoft networks and are not required for a pure Windows Server 2003 implementation. However, some applications still require NetBIOS naming. In addition, a network that includes older Microsoft servers and clients will require NetBIOS naming. DHCP is the service that leases IP addresses and IP-related information to clients. The DHCP design approach incorporates factors such as network topology, use of multihomed DHCP servers, the need for DHCP Relay Agents or forwarding configuration on routers, the scopes of IP addresses that are delivered to the subnets, and the number of DHCP servers placed throughout the network.