DNS name requirements
In the context of VisualDrive Server, the DNS name is a part of the Server URL which is used by the clients to connect to the server.
This document outlines the requirements and recommendations for selecting and using an appropriate DNS name for your server.
Summary
For a production environment, we strongly recommend using a DNS alias rather than referencing the server by the computer name. This simplifies future maintenance of VisualDrive Server, including the ability to migrate the server to another computer.
Using the DNS alias is strongly recommended, because once users sign in to VisualDrive Server with the OneDrive app, changing the Server URL used by the OneDrive app can become a time-consuming manual operation.
Using the DNS alias can be skipped in a test environment.
Requirements
The configured DNS alias needs to meet the following requirements:
| Requirement | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Should be a DNS CNAME record. | |
| Record name | Must match the hostname used in the Server URL configured in VisualDrive Server. | vdrive.corp.contoso.com |
| Record value | Must point to the server computer with VisualDrive Server. | SERVER‑1.corp.contoso.com |
Why should I use a DNS CNAME record?
The DNS CNAME record is the preferred method for configuring a custom DNS name for VisualDrive Server, because it does not require creating and maintaining a Service Principal Name registration for Kerberos authentication.
How to configure a DNS alias
Follow the instructions in How to configure a DNS alias in Active Directory environment.