You can use the settings on this tab for this network connection only if you are not using Obtain DNS server address automatically on the General tab.
DNS server addresses, in order of use lists the DNS servers by IP address that this computer queries to resolve DNS domain names used on this computer. DNS servers are queried in the order in which they are listed here. The local setting is used only if the associated Group Policy is disabled or unspecified.
Append primary and connection specific DNS suffixes specifies that resolution for unqualified names that are used on this computer are limited to the domain suffixes of the primary suffix and all connection-specific suffixes. Connection-specific suffixes are configured in DNS suffix for this connection. The primary DNS suffix is configured by clicking Properties on the Computer Name tab (available in System in Control Panel). The local setting is used only if the associated Group Policy is disabled or unspecified.
For example, if your primary DNS suffix is dev.wcoast.microsoft.com and you type ping xyz at a command prompt, the computer queries for xyz.dev.wcoast.microsoft.com. If you also configure a connection-specific domain name on one of your connections for bldg23.dev.wcoast.microsoft.com, the computer queries for xyz.dev.wcoast.microsoft.com and xyz.bldg23.dev.wcoast.microsoft.com.
Append these DNS suffixes (in order) lists the DNS suffixes to search in the order listed.
DNS suffix for this connection provides a space for you to specify a DNS suffix for this connection. If a DHCP server configures this connection and you do not specify a DNS suffix, a DNS suffix for this connection is assigned to this connection by the appropriately configured DHCP server. If you specify a DNS suffix, the DNS suffix assigned by the DHCP server is ignored. The local setting is used only if the associated Group Policy is disabled or unspecified.
Register this connection's addresses in DNS specifies that the computer attempt dynamic registration of the IP addresses (through DNS) of this connection with the full computer name of this computer, as specified on the Computer Name tab (available in System in Control Panel). The local setting is used only if the associated Group Policy is disabled or unspecified.
Use this connection's DNS suffix in DNS registration specifies whether DNS dynamic update is used to register the IP addresses and the connection-specific domain name of this connection. The connection-specific DNS name of this connection is the concatenation of the computer name (which is the first label of the full computer name) and the DNS suffix of this connection. The full computer name is specified on the Computer Name tab (available in System in Control Panel). If the Register this connection's addresses in DNS check box is selected, this registration is in addition to the DNS registration of the full computer name. The local setting is used only if the associated Group Policy is disabled or unspecified.
Procedures
 | To configure an additional DNS server IP address |
Under DNS server addresses, in order of use, click Add.
In DNS server, type the IP address of the DNS server, and then click Add.
| To modify the resolution behavior for unqualified DNS names, do the following |
To resolve an unqualified name by appending the primary DNS suffix and the DNS suffix of each connection (if configured), click Append primary and connection specific DNS suffixes. If you also want to search the parent suffixes of the primary DNS suffix up to the second level domain, select the Append parent suffixes of the primary DNS suffix check box.
To resolve an unqualified name by appending the suffixes from a list of configured suffixes, click Append these DNS suffixes (in order), and then click Add to add suffixes to the list.
To configure a connection-specific DNS suffix, type the DNS suffix in DNS suffix for this connection.
| To modify DNS dynamic update behavior |
To use a DNS dynamic update to register the IP addresses of this connection and the primary domain name of the computer, select the Register this connection's addresses in DNS check box. This option is enabled by default. The primary domain name of the computer is the primary DNS suffix appended to the computer name and can be viewed as the full computer name on the Computer Name tab (available in System in Control Panel).
To use a DNS dynamic update to register the IP addresses and the connection-specific domain name of this connection, select the Use this connection's DNS suffix in DNS registration check box. This option is disabled by default. The connection-specific domain name of this connection is the DNS suffix for this connection appended to the computer name.
Additional references
For updated detailed IT pro information about TCP/IP versions 4 and 6, see