DNS Issue

[steveyg_uk]

Hi,

I'm new to OPENVPN, I have read lots of documentation and tried alot of fixes all to no avail. I'm now reaching out....

GOAL:- Resolve hostname of server lets say PJ

Issue;- if I ping PJ doesn't resolve. If I ping pj.domain.local it resolves.

Users won't be using FQDN they will use hostname.

BACKGROUND:- ESXI VM - OPENVPN latest build 2.5.2

Default config but with following changes
> VPN SETTINGS > VPN IP NETWORK > DNS Settings > use specific DNS server >>> set to PJ ip address
> VPN SETTINGS > VPN IP NETWORK > DNS Resolution Zones (optional) >> set to domain.local and same for DD suffix

Everything else hasn't been touched - thus Windows Networking optional is still set to Don't alter windows settings on clients.

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TCP DUMP on port 53 shows data routing over VPN. ping pj comes shows up but its prefix to pj.home.local. If I ping pj.domain.local it returns the correct IP address.
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How do I resolve this please? I ideally want the hostname only to be queried and auto prefex to pj.domain.local