Using Windows server to host Name Server / External DNS

When I saw your post I had many ideas. The three elements that I thought of were:
1.      How to become a Domain Registrar:
2.      How to Host Domain Names
3.      Ho to Host Web sites
The above three items are all separate matters but are somewhat related to this discussion, so I wanted to touch on all of them.  Becoming a Domain Registrar is probably the most ambitious task.  I found and interesting discussion here:
http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=636112I found a good article on Domain Name Hosting here:
http://www.mdjnet.dk/dns.html

An Experts Exchange answer to a similar question can be found here (I’m not sure what this one advises as I cannot see the answer):
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/25896245/How-do-I-become-my-own-DNS-host.html

The easiest option buy the domain names directly from the accredited registrar and then host the sites via your network.  Accredited Registrars are listed on this link:
http://www.icann.org/en/registrars/accredited-list.html

You’ll notice something interesting in this.  As you can see, the accredited registrars are actual hosting companies.  So basically this is why I posted information on how you can become an accredited registrar…because you wanted to bypass the hosting company altogether in being your own host.  So, now the question becomes much bigger than just which brand of server to choose.
The steps would now be:
1)      What is involved with becoming an accredited registrar?
2)      What are the rules of compliance?
3)      How do I design my network, policies and procedures and security to comply with regulations?
I hope this is enough to get you started…

1.  Either 2003 or 2008 will do just fine.

2. I am not sure of the question, but if you are planning to host your own external names servers, you will need two external IP's  (either both assigned to one server - bad or two servers - better).   You will also need other servers to provide internal DNS.  

3.  Yes, you will need to split external and internal DNS on different servers if they are the same domain.   Or you may want to host your DNS offsite.   For example, GoDaddy offers free DNS hosting.  

4. Try this site.... http://www.gnc-web-creations.com/dns-tutorial.htm

I forgot to mention the risks and network considerations.  Risks…but of course!  There are many risks that you will want to address when hosting.  I won’t go into the business risks, only the technology risks.  Basically you want security and redundancy in your network plan and topology.

Some ideas to consider are:

Do you have a secure network infrastructure already in place?  If not, you will need to design a good network with a hybrid mesh  topology.  Load balancing on a server cluster of Windows 2008 servers (or whichever brand of server you want to go with).
Do you have a firewall?
Is there a DMZ already in place?
Do you have redundancy in your server hardware, NICs, Hard drives?
Are you implementing RAID?
Have you defined a scheduled backup plan for your servers?
Do you have adequate personell to support the maintenance and supervision of your hosts?

DNS hosting can be had for very cheap.

IMO, it is a waste of a Windows license to host the DNS servers yourself - not to mention the maintenance and care of these servers.  Plus, you have to deal with the security issues.  And, although DNS queries don't take a lot of resources to handle, it does require at least one of your public IPs.  Also, a professional DNS host will have more resources to defend against attacks than your server will.

And DNS best practice calls for at least 2 nameservers - are you willing and able to put up 2 servers and 2 public IPs for that?

My 0.02 cents: go with a DNS host.

HI Kaffiend,

The license and Server Cost should be no problem for us. As long as we can manage it by ourself.

I think I need the comments from someone that work in a "Hosting Company" . Anyone can share the experience of hosting the Name Servers?

What is it you are not sure about?
Can you give information as to what extra details you would like?

This question has been classified as abandoned and is being closed as part of the Cleanup Program. See my comment at the end of the question for more details.