My networking skills are non-existant, so beware of stupidity.

I am writing software which needs to read users from Active Directory.
I have written some code and I need to test it. I am running a Vista
Home machine.

I need to add some test values into Active Directory users but it
needs to connect to a domain/domain controller. When I try to add a
DNS server using my own computer, it says DNS server is not running.
When I try to add a DNS server using my ISP, it says DNS server is not
a Windows 2003 Server.. etc.

So basically, is there anyting I can do to setup some sort of a local
DNS server to just get my code tested?

GeezerButler wrote:

My networking skills are non-existant, so beware of stupidity.

I am writing software which needs to read users from Active Directory.
I have written some code and I need to test it. I am running a Vista
Home machine.

I need to add some test values into Active Directory users but it
needs to connect to a domain/domain controller. When I try to add a
DNS server using my own computer, it says DNS server is not running.
When I try to add a DNS server using my ISP, it says DNS server is not
a Windows 2003 Server.. etc.

So basically, is there anyting I can do to setup some sort of a local
DNS server to just get my code tested?

You might consider posting this in a developer's newsgroup with possibly a
crosspost to one of the server groups. Here's a list of all the MS public
newsgroups: http://aumha.org/nntp.htm

As an aside, if you often write code for other operating systems, you should
set up a computer running that OS. Many people do this by using virtual
computing - either MS Virtual PC or VMware (my preference). You will need a
licensed copy of the OS that is going to run in a virtual machine, of
course.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

"Malke" wrote in message
...
GeezerButler wrote:

My networking skills are non-existant, so beware of stupidity.

I am writing software which needs to read users from Active Directory.
I have written some code and I need to test it. I am running a Vista
Home machine.

I need to add some test values into Active Directory users but it
needs to connect to a domain/domain controller. When I try to add a
DNS server using my own computer, it says DNS server is not running.
When I try to add a DNS server using my ISP, it says DNS server is not
a Windows 2003 Server.. etc.

So basically, is there anyting I can do to setup some sort of a local
DNS server to just get my code tested?

You might consider posting this in a developer's newsgroup with possibly a
crosspost to one of the server groups. Here's a list of all the MS public
newsgroups: http://aumha.org/nntp.htm

As an aside, if you often write code for other operating systems, you
should
set up a computer running that OS. Many people do this by using virtual
computing - either MS Virtual PC or VMware (my preference). You will need
a
licensed copy of the OS that is going to run in a virtual machine, of
course.



I agree with Malke except I prefer VPC on a Windows computer. You can use an
evaluation copy of Windows Server in a virtual machine.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/w.../bb430831.aspx

I don't know of any way to fake Active Directory. You need the real thing.

--
Kerry Brown
MS-MVP - Windows Desktop Experience: Systems Administration
http://www.vistahelp.ca/phpBB2/