A slave or stub nameserver, also known as a secondary DNS server, gets zone data from another DNS server that is authoritative for the zone, called its master server. When a secondary name server starts up, it contacts its master server and requests a copy of the zone data for which it is responsible. This is called a zone transfer. The purpose of a slave or stub name server is to share the load with the master server, or handle the entire load if the master server is down.

Slave and Stub zones are created in exactly the same way, and are quite similar in some ways though their purposes are very different. Slave zones keep a complete copy in memory, and sometimes also on disk, of a zone that it receives via a zone transfer from a master zone. A slave zone can answer any queries for a zone, and as long as network connectivity remains intact between the master and slave, and the servers are configured correctly, it will stay in sync with the master server. A stub zone also syncs to a master server, however it only keeps NS and SOA record information from the master server. This allows BIND to keep up with delegation information automatically.

Creating a New DNS Slave or Stub Zone

1. Log into NetDirector and select the Bind DNS service from the Service Bar.
2. Once the Server Tree has automatically filtered itself to show only the DNS servers you have access to manage ,select the server or servers you wish to create the new zone on.
3. Click Create new slave zone or Create new stub zone depending on the type of zone you wish to create.
   
4. On the next page, enter the information about the new Slave or Stub zone. There are several fields to be filled out to create the master zone.
• Zone Type - choose whether you are creating either a Forward or Reverse Zone. In this case choose the Reverse Zone option.
• Domain Name or Network - Enter the network of the zone that the server will resolve for
• Master Server - define the master nameserver for this domain.
5. Save your edits now by clicking the Create button. The changes will be processed and you now have the decision to either apply the change now or later. Or optionally you can continue to edit the DNS settings.
6. Once you are happy with the changes for DNS select either the Apply Now or Apply Changes Later. If making the change to several servers at once this may take a few seconds to complete.

Note: If you are going to schedule the changes to occur later you will need to select the calander icon to choose the date and time you want your change to happen.