Modernizing AD DNS with Technitium and Tailscale: A Practical Guide

By EJB Technology Support, LLC

Businesses running Active Directory (AD) often rely on Windows Server DNS by default. But what if you want more control, easier management, and better integration with modern networking solutions like Tailscale? At EJB Technology Support, LLC, we recently transitioned one of our environments from traditional AD DNS to Technitium DNS — and the results were fantastic.

Here’s how you can modernize your AD DNS infrastructure, using Technitium as your authoritative server and Tailscale to keep everything connected seamlessly, no matter where your users work.

✅ Why Migrate to Technitium?

• Open-source and free
• Easy web interface for managing zones
• Supports advanced DNS features like DNS-over-HTTPS
• Excellent for small to mid-sized businesses
• Integrates well with VPN solutions like Tailscale

We wanted centralized DNS control and better remote support for domain-joined devices. Technitium delivered.

✅ Example Environment

Let’s look at a sample environment (using fictional data):

✅ Migration Steps

1. Deploy Technitium DNS

You can run Technitium:

• On bare metal
• In a VM
• In Docker (our choice)

Example Docker Compose:

version: "3.9"
services:
  technitium-dns:
    image: technitium/dns-server:latest
    container_name: technitium-dns
    restart: always
    ports:
      - "53:53/tcp"
      - "53:53/udp"
      - "5380:5380/tcp"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/etc/dns

Access the web UI at:

http://10.10.10.51:5380

2. Create the AD DNS Zone

In Technitium:

• Create a zone: int.examplecorp.com
• Add the domain controller record:
  • dc01.int.examplecorp.com → 10.10.10.15

Required SRV Records for AD:

Also create a reverse zone for IP lookups:

• 10.10.10.in-addr.arpa
• Add PTR:
  • 15 PTR dc01.int.examplecorp.com.

3. Set DNS Forwarders

In Technitium settings, add forwarders:

1.1.1.1
8.8.8.8

Optionally, include your router if it resolves local hostnames:

10.10.10.253

4. Update DHCP

Update your DHCP scope so clients receive Technitium as their primary DNS:

10.10.10.51

This way, all devices query Technitium instead of Windows DNS.

5. Integrate Tailscale

Tailscale connects remote users into your environment seamlessly.

In Tailscale Admin:

• Set global DNS to Technitium’s Tailscale IP:
  • 100.64.2.10
• Add search domains:
  • int.examplecorp.com
  • examplecorp.com
• Enable Override local DNS

This makes sure domain-joined laptops—even on public Wi-Fi—can resolve your internal domain.

6. Test Everything

From a client machine:

nslookup dc01.int.examplecorp.com

Should return:

Name: dc01.int.examplecorp.com
Address: 10.10.10.15

Check SRV records:

nslookup -type=SRV _ldap._tcp.int.examplecorp.com

And test connectivity:

Test-NetConnection -ComputerName dc01.int.examplecorp.com -Port 389

Finally, refresh Group Policy and check logs:

gpupdate /force
gpresult /h report.html

Everything should work like normal—even over Tailscale.

✅ What About Your Public Domain?

We left the public domain examplecorp.com on Cloudflare. No changes needed there. Technitium forwards public lookups to Cloudflare or your preferred external resolvers.

✅ Benefits of Switching

• Centralized control of internal DNS
• Smooth remote connectivity with Tailscale
• Less reliance on Windows DNS services
• Easy disaster recovery with zone exports from Technitium
• Modern, user-friendly interface

For modern IT environments, this setup gives flexibility and control without sacrificing AD functionality.

EJB Technology Support, LLC recommends testing thoroughly—especially for logins, Group Policy, and internal applications—to ensure a smooth transition.

Ready to modernize your environment? Technitium and Tailscale might be your perfect combo.

Need help planning your migration? Contact EJB Technology Support, LLC!