OpenDNS slow

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soulman

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Is there any alternative DNS server to use besides OpenDNS?

Preferably a local DNS server.

Setting my router DNS setting to "Automatically find" leaves me with no internet access, and openDNS is very slow.
 
Don't know local DNS servers.

Try Google Public DNS:
8.8.8.8
8.8.4.4
 
Try SAIX local DNS:
Pretoria 196.43.45.190 196.43.50.190
Johannesburg 196.43.42.190 196.43.45.190
Durban 196.43.53.190 196.43.54.190
 
soulman said:
Is there any alternative DNS server to use besides OpenDNS?
Click to expand...
Why are you not using your ISPs DNS servers? Many major websites (like google and facebook) now use content distribution networks that redirect you to a local server based on the location of your DNS server. You are doing yourself a disservice by not using the DNS server that is closest to you on the network.

Both OpenDNS and the new GoogleDNS are located internationally and when I last spoke to them that had no plans for a local node. That means that you are slowing all of your Internet access down by an extra 200-500ms even if you are accessing local content. I think that is a little silly ;)
 
ambo said:
Why are you not using your ISPs DNS servers? Many major websites (like google and facebook) now use content distribution networks that redirect you to a local server based on the location of your DNS server. You are doing yourself a disservice by not using the DNS server that is closest to you on the network.

Both OpenDNS and the new GoogleDNS are located internationally and when I last spoke to them that had no plans for a local node. That means that you are slowing all of your Internet access down by an extra 200-500ms even if you are accessing local content. I think that is a little silly ;)
Click to expand...
100% spot on.

Using your ISP's dns servers will almost always be faster and guarantee faster speeds to websites like bing.com, facebook, gumtree, youtube ect.

The only time you would want to use opendns, is when you want to control what your children has access to (via their paid for service) or some extra measures to prevent you from going to unsafe websites ect.

Also want to add, it has been proven that most ADSL router's built in dns caching service is even slower than using international dns servers. Thus if you add opendns to your router, and let your windows pc still use the router, that will cause you even slower dns lookups, making for a very bad internet experience in my opinion.
 
ambo said:
Why are you not using your ISPs DNS servers? You are doing yourself a disservice by not using the DNS server that is closest to you on the network.
Click to expand...

This is quite a simplistic way of looking at it. For the single 'moms and pops' routers I would agree but not when you have a combination of different ISPs on ADSL and then say iBurst and even Neotel. I've had endless hassles with ISP DNS servers and found that by simply using OpenDNS or Google DNS the internet experience is more reliable overall. Yes maybe 200ms slower but then again most of my users/customers are businesses and I don't give a rats arse whether or not facebook loads quicker.

At home, different story...........
 
hilton said:
when you have a combination of different ISPs on ADSL and then say iBurst and even Neotel. I've had endless hassles with ISP DNS servers and found that by simply using OpenDNS or Google DNS the internet experience is more reliable overall.
Click to expand...
Then you've probably done something wrong :D True... some of the providers have had some scalability issues with their DNS infrastructure but most of those have been resolved. Its more likely that you are seeing problems due to routing between the multiple accounts.

If you are not going to use your ISP's resolvers then at least use one of the other local resolvers - like perhaps the SAIX ones. You are not doing anyone any favours using OpenDNS.
 
ambo said:
You are not doing anyone any favours using OpenDNS.
Click to expand...

With OpenDNS you get a free content filter which may just outweigh the disadvantages of NOT using local DNS servers.

But horses for courses...........
 
Message for ISPA and HP

marjo said:
Geez, never knew Google had public DNS servers!!! Nice
Click to expand...

PLEASE can we have some OPEN serious professional tier ONE LOCAL DNS servers -- a la GOOGLE.

I see HP boasting all over the place about how they have cornered the SA SERVER market
well then HP -- how about donating a couple of servers for an RSA OPEN community DNS provision.

DO YOUR *BIT* FOR SA ( We will not mind if you advertise it for 2010 ;):D )

TWO at JINX TWO at CINX and TWO at DINX

Think of it as a Christmas bonus for SA

I am SOOOOO tired of changing mickey mouse CLOSED isp DNS servers :cry:


MW
 
NSLOOKUP

Great stuff

I think that your tutorial needs some extra info on "NSLOOKUP" and "DIG"

As someone so correctly pointed out

Pinging a DNS server is not neccessarily an accurate indication of how well it does it's work.


Google will help you to find a copy of this book O'Reilly DNS & BIND

Incomplete example ( don't want to get banned :cry: )

Look it up YOURSELF :whistle:


MW
 
Last edited:
From that post there are certainly a few fantastic reasons to use local DNS.

Now if only an ISP in South Africa would have the balls to offer a free/paid content filter............
 
Facebook, myspace, youtube, radio/audio streaming, gaming, porn, gambling, drugs..........

All the good stuff.
 
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