Open DNS

[Zirax]

Just a heads up for everyone. Due to my own laziness when I migrated to BE, I used their DNS servers. However recently browsing has become painful, so I quickly put in the OpenDNS servers addresses. The difference is like night and day!!

I imagine that most use this anyway, I just forgot to re-enter on my new router.

[Mark]

Their DNS was broken when I checked Monday, and it seems to be quite common for both Be and O2 to have DNS issues.

Fortunately I'm already using OpenDNS.

My only pet peeve is that OpenDNS tries to turn itself into a search engine if you enter a domain name that doesn't exist. I may be unusual in this, but I'd much rather just get a 'domain name not found' error, thanks.

[Daz]

Originally Posted by Mark

My only pet peeve is that OpenDNS tries to turn itself into a search engine if you enter a domain name that doesn't exist. I may be unusual in this, but I'd much rather just get a 'domain name not found' error, thanks.

Thats the reason I dont use it, error messages are more useful to me Luckily BT's DNS is pretty good.

[Burble]

Originally Posted by Daz

Thats the reason I dont use it, error messages are more useful to me

Ditto. I run my own DNS servers having being burnt by NTL being incapable of giving a reliable DNS infrastructure.

[Mark]

Originally Posted by Burble

Ditto. I run my own DNS servers having being burnt by NTL being incapable of giving a reliable DNS infrastructure.

I assume you still get DNS data from somewhere though. I'd gladly use an alternative source (and run my own DNS servers). Suggestions always welcome.

[Burble]

Originally Posted by Mark

I assume you still get DNS data from somewhere though.

root.hint

[divine]

Originally Posted by Mark

Their DNS was broken when I checked Monday, and it seems to be quite common for both Be and O2 to have DNS issues.

Fortunately I'm already using OpenDNS.

My only pet peeve is that OpenDNS tries to turn itself into a search engine if you enter a domain name that doesn't exist. I may be unusual in this, but I'd much rather just get a 'domain name not found' error, thanks.

That does my head in, as with O2's DNS servers, typing crap into the address bar and hitting enter would land you at google at worst.

Also, for some reason OpenDNS wont let me use o2wirelessbox.lan to get to the router, I had to go find the actual IP using cmd.

[Daz]

Originally Posted by divine

Also, for some reason OpenDNS wont let me use o2wirelessbox.lan to get to the router, I had to go find the actual IP using cmd.

Just simply because OpenDNS (or any internet DNS server) has no idea what that address is, .LAN is not a valid TLD on the public network.

[Mark]

Originally Posted by divine

Also, for some reason OpenDNS wont let me use o2wirelessbox.lan to get to the router, I had to go find the actual IP using cmd.

You need to change the connection settings on your PC. On whichever network connection you use, set the local DNS suffix to '.lan' (without the quotes). Alternatively, ditch the crappy Thomson router and get a proper one.

[Zirax]

Not discovered that one yet. The Be DNS has been very shaky recently