I'm familiar with the difference between Domain networks and Workgroup networks, but I'm stuck on something. Specifically, what is the default DNS suffix for a computer in a workgroup?
My long-term goal is to get DNS name resolution to work over a Unifi VPN (using Wireguard or Teleport). I have a small network with 5 computers and no domain controller; the Unifi device is handling both DHCP and DNS.
In Unifi, when I set the domain to `.company`, I can ping any PC on the network by using `ping computer1.company`, but I can't just use `ping computer1`, as it says it can't resolve the name.
When I run `nslookup computer1`, it returns `unifi.company`, `192.168.250.1`, and `computer1` with its IP address of `192.168.250.15`.
I've set the Wireguard/Teleport network to push the DNS of `192.168.250.1` (the IP of the Unifi gateway).
What I'm hoping is if I can figure out the domain that Windows uses for workgroups, I can set the Unifi domain to match that. I've tried using `localdomain`, but that didn't work. Any thoughts? Am I going about this the wrong way?
4 Answers
There really isn’t a default DNS suffix for workgroup computers since they don't utilize DNS in the same way a domain network does. The best way is to use a DNS suffix like `.local` if your setup allows for it. Check your router’s local DNS settings and try that out!
Be sure to add the domain to your Wireguard configuration. Just include `DNS = 192.168.250.1, company` in your setup, and that should help. Just remember, I get your point about avoiding the full domain name for each computer!
I don't have a domain; that’s the confusion! I want to just type `computer1` and have it resolve automatically.
If you're using a workgroup, there won't be any prefix by default, but you can set one manually for each computer in the network properties. That said, I see you want to avoid changing settings on each machine, which can be a hassle.
Yeah, I'm trying to avoid messing with every single computer.
The way to handle this is by setting the DNS suffix in the network settings on each PC to match your network, like `company`, and rebooting. Once that's done, you should have resolved names without needing the `.company` part.
I really want to find a way not to do this on every single computer.
I gave `.local` a shot, but it didn’t work for me.