FAQ for the Microsoft Windows DNS and DHCP servers

1. Which versions of the Windows Server OS are supported?

   You can onboard your DNS and DHCP servers running on Windows Server OS 2016, 2019, and 2022 in DDI Central. DDI Central also provides seamless forward and reverse compatibility so that you don't need to worry about the OS versions.

2. Does DDI Central integrate with Active Directory?

   You can manage the Active Directory zones with the help of the zone editor in DDI Central. An Active Directory integration is on our roadmap.

3. Can I manage my DNS and DHCP servers in DDI Central without Active Directory?

   As a centralized platform for managing the three core services of DNS, DHCP, and IPAM, DDI Central enables seamless administration of your organization's DNS and DHCP servers without the need for Active Directory. You can have centralized control and visibility over DNS and DHCP environments along with IPAM.

4. Can I add a Group Policy to change DNS settings on all the servers?

   DDI Central doesn't have Group Policy configurations. However, it provides global configurations universally, so any changes you make in the DNS settings get reflected on all the DNS servers. You can also configure settings on the server level, the zone level, and even the subnet level.

5. Do I need to know PowerShell scripts for managing DNS and DHCP clusters in DDI Central?

   No, DDI Central simplifies network management for new and expert sysadmins administrating DNS and DHCP clusters. You won't need to know PowerShell scripting to implement complex automations.

6. Can I have continuous visibility over my DNS and DHCP clusters through remote management?

   DDI Central provides centralized, continuous visibility over your organization's DNS and DHCP clusters with the help of Windows Remote Management (WinRM). For this, you must set up WinRM on your Windows DNS and DHCP servers, which can help you monitor these environments when remotely connecting to the software.

7. Do I need additional hardware to manage my DNS and DHCP servers in DDI Central?

   No, DDI Central is a complete, software-oriented product, and there is no need to purchase additional hardware to manage DNS and DHCP servers. You own DDI Central by downloading and deploying it in your organization's network. There is no end of life, and you need to download the service update packages whenever new versions release.

8. What is the best practice for configuring a DHCP MAC filter on my DHCP servers?

   Here are the steps for configuring a DHCP MAC filter for your organization's DHCP servers in DDI Central:

   Go to DHCP -> Config.

   Select the DHCP server you want to apply this filter to by clicking the Select server drop-down in the top-right corner.

   Provide the name and description for your MAC filter.

   Add entries to the allow and deny lists and enable the lists by toggling them on. You can enable or disable the created lists with the available edit mode.

9. Can I manage DNS and DHCP clusters from multiple branch sites?

   Yes, you can manage DNS and DHCP clusters from different branch sites by connecting the sites with Multiprotocol Label Switching or VPNs.