Abstract: An extended DNS server that supports non-standard domain naming includes an update module, a query module, and a domain name database. Client computers are converted to extended clients capable of supporting extended domain naming by changing a DNS server IP address to reference an extended DNS server. The conversion program also supports maintenance operations related to domain naming such as providing status information related to the DNS servers, updating an executable, updating a DNS address, and restoring the DNS IP address to a previous value. The present invention facilitates incrementally upgrading an intra-network or inter-network to with extended name serving capabilities.