
To get started with Azure DNS Resolver and Virtual Networks, you'll first need to create a virtual network in your Azure subscription. This will serve as the foundation for your DNS resolution setup.
You can create a virtual network in the Azure portal by clicking on "Create a resource" and searching for "Virtual network."
A virtual network is a logical network that connects your Azure resources, and it's essential for configuring Azure DNS Resolver.
Suggestion: Azure Virtual Network Dns Servers
How It Works
Azure DNS Resolver is a powerful tool that allows you to manage DNS queries within your Azure Virtual Network. To use it, you need to create an Azure DNS Private Resolver inside a virtual network, which establishes one or more inbound endpoints for DNS queries.
You don't need to change any DNS client settings on your virtual machines (VMs) to use Azure DNS Resolver. This is a huge convenience, as it eliminates the need for manual configuration.
The DNS query process with Azure DNS Resolver is quite straightforward. Here's a step-by-step breakdown:
- A client in a virtual network issues a DNS query.
- If the DNS servers for this virtual network are specified as custom, then the query is forwarded to the specified IP addresses.
- If Default (Azure-provided) DNS servers are configured in the virtual network, and there are Private DNS zones linked to the same virtual network, these zones are consulted.
- If the query doesn't match a Private DNS zone linked to the virtual network, then Virtual network links for DNS forwarding rulesets are consulted.
- If no ruleset links are present, then Azure DNS is used to resolve the query.
- If ruleset links are present, the DNS forwarding rules are evaluated.
- If a suffix match is found, the query is forwarded to the specified address.
- If multiple matches are present, the longest suffix is used.
- If no match is found, no DNS forwarding occurs and Azure DNS is used to resolve the query.
Azure DNS Resolver requires a Virtual Network and can be used with on-premises networks via Azure ExpressRoute or a VPN. This allows for seamless DNS resolution between Azure virtual networks and on-premises networks.
Endpoints and Configuration
You can configure Azure DNS resolver endpoints and rulesets to suit your needs. For detailed information about endpoints and rulesets, see Azure DNS Private Resolver endpoints and rulesets.
An inbound endpoint enables name resolution from on-premises or other private locations via an IP address that is part of your private virtual network address space. The IP address assigned to an inbound endpoint can be specified as static or dynamic.
To resolve your Azure private DNS zone from on-premises, enter the IP address of the inbound endpoint into your on-premises DNS conditional forwarder. The on-premises DNS conditional forwarder must have a network connection to the virtual network.
You might like: Azure Dns Forwarders
Here are the types of rules you can add to your DNS forwarding ruleset:
- A rule to resolve an Azure Private DNS zone linked to your virtual network.
- A rule to resolve an on-premises zone.
- A wildcard rule to forward unmatched DNS queries to a protective DNS service.
Remember to test your forwarding rules and ensure that the rules don't cause DNS resolution issues.
Inbound Endpoints
Inbound endpoints enable name resolution from on-premises or other private locations via an IP address that is part of your private virtual network address space.
To resolve your Azure private DNS zone from on-premises, you'll need to enter the IP address of the inbound endpoint into your on-premises DNS conditional forwarder. This forwarder must have a network connection to the virtual network.
The inbound endpoint requires a subnet in the VNet where it’s provisioned. This subnet can only be delegated to Microsoft.Network/dnsResolvers.
You can specify the IP address assigned to an inbound endpoint as static or dynamic.
A fresh viewpoint: Azure Private Endpoint Dns
Outbound Endpoints
Outbound endpoints are a crucial part of Azure DNS Private Resolver, enabling conditional forwarding name resolution from Azure to on-premises, other cloud providers, or external DNS servers.
To set up an outbound endpoint, you'll need a dedicated subnet in the VNet where it's provisioned, with no other service running in the subnet, and it can only be delegated to Microsoft.Network/dnsResolvers.
DNS queries sent to the outbound endpoint will egress from Azure, making it an essential component for hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
An outbound endpoint requires a dedicated subnet, which means you'll need to allocate a separate subnet for this purpose.
You can only use an outbound endpoint for conditional forwarding name resolution, and it's not suitable for other DNS-related tasks.
Here's a quick rundown of the requirements for an outbound endpoint:
- Dedicated subnet in the VNet
- No other service running in the subnet
- Delegated to Microsoft.Network/dnsResolvers
Virtual Network and Security
Virtual networks used with Azure DNS Resolver have some key restrictions to keep in mind.
A DNS Private Resolver can only be linked to virtual networks within the same geographical region as the resolver.
You'll also need to assign a dedicated subnet to each inbound and outbound endpoint, which can add some complexity to your setup.
Here are the key virtual network restrictions to be aware of:
- DNS Private Resolver rule sets can only be linked to virtual networks that are within the same geographical region as the resolver.
- A virtual network can't contain more than one DNS private resolver.
- You need to assign a dedicated subnet to each inbound and outbound endpoint.
Data Residency
Data Residency is a key consideration for businesses that handle sensitive data.
Azure DNS Private Resolver keeps customer data within the region where the resolver is deployed.
This means that data remains local and doesn't get sent to another region for processing or storage.
This is a significant advantage for organizations that require data to stay within a specific geographic area for regulatory or compliance reasons.
With Azure DNS Private Resolver, you can rest assured that your data is staying put in the region where the resolver is deployed.
This is a great feature for businesses that need to maintain data sovereignty and control.
Here's an interesting read: Azure Data Studio vs Azure Data Explorer
Components and Architecture
Azure DNS Resolver is a service that bridges an on-premises DNS with Azure DNS, allowing you to query Azure DNS private zones from an on-premises environment and vice versa without deploying VM-based DNS servers.
The solution uses a hub and spoke VNet topology in Azure, with a private resolver located in the hub and a ruleset link to the spoke VNet. This architecture is used in a distributed DNS configuration.
The hub VNet is configured with address space 10.10.0.0/16, and the spoke VNet is configured with address space 10.11.0.0/16. A private DNS zone azure.contoso.com is linked to the hub VNet, and a private resolver is provisioned in the hub VNet.
Components and Architecture
Azure DNS is a hosting service for DNS domains, and by default, Azure virtual networks use it for DNS resolution. Microsoft manages and maintains Azure DNS.
Azure Traffic Manager acts as a DNS-based load balancing service, distributing traffic across Azure regions to public-facing applications.
You can use Azure private DNS service zones to resolve your own domain names and VM names without having to configure a custom solution and without modifying your own configuration.
Here are the components of Azure DNS Private Resolver:
- Fully managed Microsoft service with built-in high availability and zone redundancy.
- Scalable solution that works well with DevOps.
- Cost savings when compared with traditional infrastructure as a service (IaaS)–based custom solutions.
- Conditional forwarding for Azure DNS to on-premises servers.
Components
Components play a crucial role in setting up a secure and efficient network. A VPN Gateway is a virtual network gateway that enables encrypted traffic.
ExpressRoute is a service that extends on-premises networks into the Microsoft cloud. It establishes private connections to cloud components like Azure services and Microsoft 365 by using a connectivity provider.
You might like: Azure Communications Gateway

Azure Virtual Network is the fundamental building block for private networks in Azure. It allows Azure resources like VMs to securely communicate with each other, the internet, and on-premises networks.
Azure Firewall enforces application and network connectivity policies. It centrally manages policies across multiple virtual networks and subscriptions.
DNS Private Resolver is a service that bridges an on-premises DNS with Azure DNS. It enables querying of Azure DNS private zones from an on-premises environment and vice versa without deploying VM-based DNS servers.
Azure DNS is a hosting service for DNS domains. It uses Azure infrastructure to provide name resolution.
Here's a list of the components used in the DNS Private Resolver solution:
Distributed Architecture
In a distributed architecture, multiple virtual networks (VNets) are connected to enable seamless communication between resources. This setup is particularly useful in large-scale deployments where resources are spread across different regions.
A hub and spoke VNet topology is a common configuration in Azure, where a central hub VNet connects to multiple spoke VNets. In this topology, a private resolver is typically provisioned in the hub VNet to handle DNS resolution for the entire setup.
The hub VNet is configured with its own address space, such as 10.10.0.0/16, and is linked to a private DNS zone like azure.contoso.com. This link enables resources inside the hub VNet to resolve DNS records in the private zone using Azure-provided DNS.
A spoke VNet, on the other hand, is connected to the hub VNet through a ruleset link. This link enables the spoke VNet to resolve DNS queries using the forwarding rules configured in the ruleset.
Here's a summary of the key components in a distributed architecture:
To avoid DNS resolution loops, it's essential to ensure that the hub VNet is not linked to a forwarding ruleset with an inbound endpoint forwarding rule. This configuration can cause DNS queries to be forwarded indefinitely, leading to performance issues.
A different take: Azure Dns Forwarding Rulesets
VM Traffic Flow
VM traffic flow is a critical aspect of Azure's architecture, and understanding how it works is essential for troubleshooting and optimization. In Azure, VMs can use different DNS resolvers to resolve DNS queries, depending on the configuration of the virtual network.

When a VM issues a DNS query, the spoke virtual network is configured to use the name resolution provided by Azure. This means that Azure DNS is used to resolve the DNS query. If the query attempts to resolve a private name, the Azure private DNS service is contacted.
The traffic flow for a VM DNS query can vary depending on the configuration of the virtual network. If the query doesn't match a private DNS zone linked to the virtual network, Azure DNS connects to DNS Private Resolver. The Spoke 1 virtual network has a virtual network link, and DNS Private Resolver checks for a DNS forwarding rule set associated with the Spoke 1 virtual network.
Here are the possible traffic flow scenarios for a VM DNS query:
- VM 1 queries a DNS record using Azure DNS.
- VM 1 queries a DNS record using an on-premises DNS server.
- VM 1 queries a DNS record using a DNS Private Resolver inbound endpoint.
In each scenario, the traffic flow is different, but the goal is the same: to resolve the DNS query and provide the VM with the necessary information to communicate with other resources. By understanding these traffic flow scenarios, you can better troubleshoot and optimize your Azure environment.
Use

Using DNS Private Resolver is a great way to simplify your setup. It eliminates the need for a DNS forwarder VM and allows Azure DNS to resolve on-premises domain names.
Azure DNS is able to resolve on-premises domain names with DNS Private Resolver. This is especially useful in a hub-spoke network topology, which is a recommended design pattern by Azure landing zone.
A hybrid network connection is established by using Azure ExpressRoute and Azure Firewall. This setup provides a secure hybrid network.
DNS Private Resolver is deployed into a spoke network, denoted as the Shared Service Network in the diagrams. This setup is a best practice for securing your hybrid network.
Take a look at this: Azure Private Dns Zone Names
Reverse Support
Reverse support is a crucial aspect of DNS functionality. It allows for the mapping of an IP address back to a name.
Traditionally, DNS records map a DNS name to an IP address, but with reverse DNS, the mapping goes in the opposite direction. This is useful for identifying the source of network traffic.
For example, the IP address 42.3.10.170 resolves to www.contoso.com, showing how reverse DNS works in practice.
Broaden your view: Azure Dns Server Ip
Reliability and Availability
Reliability and Availability is crucial for any application, and Azure DNS Resolver delivers on this front. It's a cloud-native service that's highly available and DevOps friendly.
DNS Private Resolver is designed to meet the commitments you make to your customers, ensuring reliability is top-notch. This is achieved through a reliable and secure DNS solution that's simple and zero-maintenance for users.
By choosing Azure DNS Resolver, you can reduce unnecessary expenses and improve operational efficiencies, which is a key aspect of cost optimization.
Reliability
Reliability is a top priority in any application, and it's essential to ensure your application can meet the commitments you make to your customers.
DNS Private Resolver is a cloud-native service that is highly available and DevOps friendly, delivering a reliable and secure DNS solution.
Reliability ensures that your application is always up and running, without any downtime or errors.
DNS Private Resolver maintains simplicity and zero-maintenance for users, making it an ideal solution for those who want a hassle-free experience.
Cost optimization is often linked to reliability, as reducing unnecessary expenses can help improve operational efficiencies.
Regional Availability
Regional Availability is a crucial aspect of ensuring your DNS resolver is always up and running.
Azure DNS Private Resolver is available in several regions, but you can check the exact list by visiting the Regional availability page.
A DNS resolver can only refer to a virtual network that's in the same region as the DNS resolver. This is a limitation that you need to keep in mind when setting up your resolver.
Azure DNS doesn't currently support DNS security extensions (DNSSEC), which means you won't be able to use this feature for now.
See what others are reading: Azure Dns Private Resolver
Testing and Troubleshooting
Testing and Troubleshooting is a crucial step in ensuring your Azure DNS Resolver is working as expected.
You can test the private resolver by sending DNS traffic to your DNS resolver and resolving records based on your forwarding rulesets. This includes Azure DNS private zones linked to the virtual network where the resolver is deployed.
To verify this, you can check if you can resolve records from private DNS zones hosted on-premises and DNS zones in the public internet DNS namespace.
On a similar theme: Dns Records a
Some of the scenarios you can test include resolving A records from Azure DNS private zones and private DNS zones hosted on-premises.
Here are some specific scenarios you can test:
- Azure DNS private zones linked to the virtual network where the resolver is deployed.
- Private DNS zones that are hosted on-premises.
- DNS zones in the public internet DNS namespace.
On-Premises and VM Setup
To set up Azure DNS Resolver on-premises, you'll need to consider your existing network infrastructure. A DNS forwarder VM was previously used to resolve requests to the Azure private DNS service.
You can't use the Azure public DNS service to resolve on-premises domain names with this setup. This means you'll need to use a different solution to resolve domain names.
DNS Private Resolver eliminates the need for a DNS forwarder VM, allowing Azure DNS to resolve on-premises domain names securely. This setup is ideal for a hub-spoke network topology, which provides a secure hybrid network connection using Azure ExpressRoute and Azure Firewall.
A different take: Azure Domain Services
Use a VM
Using a VM can be a viable solution for on-premises setup. You can deploy a DNS forwarder VM to resolve requests to the Azure private DNS service.

In the past, a DNS forwarder VM was used to forward requests to Azure. This setup allowed on-premises servers to resolve requests to the Azure private DNS service.
A conditional forwarder on the on-premises DNS server forwards requests to Azure. This is a key component of the setup.
A private DNS zone is linked to a virtual network in this solution. This allows requests to the Azure service to resolve to the appropriate private IP address.
In this solution, you can't use the Azure public DNS service to resolve on-premises domain names. This is a limitation of the setup.
VM Traffic via On-Prem Server
VM traffic via an on-premises server is a viable option when setting up on-premises and VM networks.
In this scenario, the on-premises server is used to resolve DNS queries, which is achieved by configuring the spoke virtual networks to use the on-premises DNS server as the name resolution DNS server. This is done by specifying the IP address of the on-premises DNS server, such as 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.0.2.
If this caught your attention, see: Connections - Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications

The on-premises DNS server then forwards the request to the DNS resolver at IP address 10.0.0.8 via a conditional forwarder. This is a crucial step, as it allows the on-premises server to communicate with the Azure DNS service.
Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the traffic flow:
- VM 1 queries a DNS record.
- The request is sent to the local DNS server at IP address 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.0.2.
- A conditional forwarder on the local DNS server for blob.core.windows.net forwards the request to the DNS resolver at IP address 10.0.0.8.
- The DNS resolver queries Azure DNS and receives information about an Azure private DNS service virtual network link.
- The Azure private DNS service resolves DNS queries that are sent through the Azure public DNS service to the DNS Private Resolver inbound endpoint.
By following this traffic flow, you can ensure that your on-premises server is able to resolve DNS queries and communicate with the Azure DNS service.
Considerations
When deploying an Azure DNS Private Resolver, there are certain considerations to keep in mind.
First and foremost, be aware that deploying a DNS private resolver into a virtual network that contains an ExpressRoute Gateway is not recommended. This is because ExpressRoute virtual network gateways have specific requirements and limitations that can conflict with the functionality of a DNS private resolver.
If you're planning to use a DNS private resolver, make sure to learn about Azure DNS Private Resolver endpoints and rulesets. This will help you understand how to configure and manage your resolver effectively.
It's also worth noting that you should learn how to Set up DNS failover using private resolvers and configure hybrid DNS using private resolvers. This will give you a more robust and reliable DNS solution.
Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:
- Deploying a DNS private resolver into a virtual network with an ExpressRoute Gateway is not recommended.
- Learn about Azure DNS Private Resolver endpoints and rulesets.
- Set up DNS failover using private resolvers.
- Configure hybrid DNS using private resolvers.
Reverse and Forwarding
In Azure, you can configure a DNS forwarding ruleset to forward DNS queries to specific endpoints or virtual networks. A DNS forwarding ruleset is a group of up to 1000 DNS forwarding rules.
You can apply a DNS forwarding ruleset to one or more outbound endpoints, or link it to one or more virtual networks. This is a 1:N relationship, where one ruleset can be associated with multiple endpoints or virtual networks.
To add or remove rules in your DNS forwarding ruleset, you can specify rules to resolve Azure Private DNS zones, on-premises zones, or even use a wildcard rule to forward unmatched DNS queries to a protective DNS service.
Be careful to test your forwarding rules and ensure they don't cause DNS resolution issues. If you include a wildcard rule, make sure the target DNS service can resolve public DNS names, as some Azure services have dependencies on public name resolution.
Some examples of DNS services you might use include a resolver's inbound endpoint (10.0.0.4), an on-premises DNS server (192.168.1.2), or a protective DNS service (10.5.5.5).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between DNS and DNS Resolver?
DNS refers to the broader system that translates domain names into IP addresses, while a DNS Resolver is a specific type of server that performs this translation. Think of DNS as the umbrella term, and DNS Resolver as the specialized tool that gets the job done
What are the limitations of Azure DNS private resolver?
Azure DNS private resolver subnets must be a minimum of /28 and a maximum of /24 address space to function properly. This limitation ensures sufficient endpoint capacity and flexibility for future changes.
Featured Images: pexels.com

