windows server 2008 r2 - DNS resolve .com domain on local domain

I'm building a local 2008 R2 domain as a test case to be able to write a roadmap for the real new domain that needs to be created soon.

What I would like to know if I'm able to make a record in DNS that will point the domain name:
www.example.com and example.com to one of the servers in my network.

I tried creating an a-record for it but that doesn't work. To be honest I'm not even sure if this is possible?

So can I do this? That way I would be able to fully test all our services (and webb app) offline before I build the real domain and switch the DNS records at the provider.

Some advice if possible and where to start is appreciated.

The solution (Thanks Brent):

• Create new Forward lookup zone pointing to example.com



• Create empty A record pointing to IP of the webserver you are targeting


• If www is needed create A record with Name: www and IP of your webserver


• sub domains repeat the process but then with names for example: sub or
  www.sub (and ip your webserver)


• Be aware of the DNS Cache while you are in this process. Things can take time or do the following:
  
  
  
  
  • Right click the server and choose clear cache
  
  
  • in CMD: ipconfig /flushdns (to flush the client cache)
  
  

Answer

Just create a new forward lookup zone in your DNS box that matches the domain name you are trying to redirect.

We did this for ADFS to resolve fs.mydomain.com to a local IP.

So create a new forward lookup zone and then setup whatever A records you want it to resolve.