A Windows Server 2003 SP2-based DNS server does not route a name resolution request to the expected DNS server through the stub zone

Consider the following scenario:

• You configure a stub zone on a Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2)-based DNS server.
• The DNS server receives a name resolution request. This request is supposed to be routed to another DNS server through the stub zone.

In this scenario, the DNS server does not route the name resolution request to the expected DNS server through the stub zone. Instead, the DNS server resolves the request by using its cache records or by using Internet root hints.

This issue causes the name resolution request to fail or causes the return of an incorrect IP address.

This problem occurs because Windows Server 2003-based DNS servers handle a name resolution request incorrectly when the DNS servers use stub zones.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, submit a request to Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, the DNS server role must be installed on a computer that is running Windows Server 2003 R2 Service Pack 2 (SP2).

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other previously released hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2003 SP2

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2003 SP2

For all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2003 SP2

To work around the issue, you use secondary zones instead of stub zones.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

For more information about stub zones, visit the following Microsoft Web site: For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: