Does a DNS have specific reqirements? I imagine it would not need the root cache file since it would go nowhere except own domain.
well, first, there are likely many nameserver software specific funnies here. but, in general, the big steps are o run a nameserver on a box on your network, let's call it N o that has to be authoritative for at least your domain o be sure that the client resolvers on all other machines point to that box. the BINDism for this is an /etc/resolv.conf with nameserver 666.42.7.11 presuming N is at 666.42.7.11 o of course, for any use of the real internet, N has to provide at least caching service for the real internet domain name space, which will get you into the root hints issue to which you allude. if all your software is BIND, then maybe get more specific help on the bind-users@isc.org list. otherwise, while this list is as good as any, you may want to do a bit more reading first. you are in a very grotty space with private dns etc. randy