Creating a Forward Zone

When you want to forward queries for data in a particular zone, define the zone as a forward zone and specify one or more DNS servers, NIOS-X Server, or an IP address that can resolve queries for the zone. You can also assign one or more external DNS servers as default forwarders for a forward zone. For example, define a forward zone so that the application forwards queries about a partner’s internal site to a DNS server, which the partner NIOS-X Servers, configured just for other partners to access. For more information on DNS Zones, see Configuring DNS Zones. 

Universal DDI forwards queries to the DNS server of a forward zone, because the DNS server can resolve queries for the zone. The application forwards queries to a forwarder regardless of zones.

To create a forward zone, complete the following:

1. From the Infoblox Portal, click Configure > Networking > DNS > Zones.
2. Create a DNS view or click an existing DNS view. For more information about creating a DNS view, see Configuring DNS Views.
3. On the Zones page, click Create and choose Forward Zone from the drop-down list.
4. On the Create Forward Zone page, specify the following:
   

   • Name: Enter the domain name for the zone. 

     • To create an IPv4 reverse-mapping zone, specify in-addr.arpa as the top-level reverse-mapping zone while specifying a name for the zone.

     • To create an IPv6 reverse-mapping zone, specify ip6.arpa as the top-level reverse-mapping zone while specifying a name for the zone.

   • Description: Enter a descriptive comment about the zone.
   • Disable for DNS Protocol: Click this check box to temporarily disable this zone. For information, see Enabling and Disabling Zones.
   • Use Forwarders Only: Select the check box if you want the application to query forwarders only (not root servers) to resolve domain names in the zone.
   • DNS SERVERS: Define DNS servers for the zone. Choose one or more NIOS-X Servers from the available list. The NIOS-X Server that you choose serves the zone. For more information about NIOS-X Servers, see Configuring NIOS-X Servers. You can also define zones without assigning DNS name servers to them. This is particularly helpful during pre-deployment provisioning and during troubleshooting activities. 
   • FORWARDERS: Define forwarders for the zone. You can choose to forward queries to an external IP address, a NIOS-X Server, or a DNS server group:
     
     • Forward to Address: Choose an external IP address to which you want to forward the queries.
     • Forward to Service Instance: Choose a service instance from the drop-down list. The queries against the zone are forwarded to this service instance. For more information about NIOS-X Servers, see Configuring Service Instance.

   • Tags: Click Add to associate keys with the forward-mapping zone and specify the following details:

     • KEY: Enter a meaningful name for the key, such as a location or a department.  

     • VALUE: Enter a value for the key.    

     To remove a tag, select the respective check box and click Remove to delete the associated tag. For information about tags, see Managing Tags.
     

5. Define DNS server groups for the zone. Choose either DNS Server Group, External Primary, or Internal Secondary from the list. For information on specifying authoritative DNS server groups, see Configuring DNS Server Groups. You can also define zones without assigning DNS server groups to them. This is particularly helpful during pre-deployment provisioning and during troubleshooting activities. 
6. Click Save & Close to save.