networking - DNS server at router level vs. computer level

08
2014-07
  • Craig

    I've three questions.

    1. Is it better/faster/optimal to set up your server's preferred and alternate DNS servers in your OS's network settings or in your router settings?

    2. Will it cause problems if it is set up in both places, both pointing to the same IPs?

    3. I am running Windows and I have my network assign a static IP to one of my computers. This doesn't allow me to obtain the DNS server addresses from my router automatically. Is there an IP I can put in that will cause it to take the DNS server addresses from the router?

    • Answers
  • barlop

    The OS always has the DNS server written in but it can be the router IP, and the router then goes to your ISP's.

    Or the OS can point directly to a DNS server (your ISPs or somebody elses like Google offers a DNS server).

    It should be faster to give your OS your ISPs or Google's DNS server, rather than your computer making a DNS request to your router and for your router to then contact a DNS server.

    I can see my DNS servers in my router but if you can't then you can call your ISP and ask them. Or use Google's. 8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4

  • user332267

    I agree it should be a little faster, but I doubt that you notice.

    But it is easier to set it to the Router and then let the router release all the information to the client(s) ( DHCP ). If you have a second computer the next one is plug and Play.

  • Journeyman Geek

    I've done it both ways.

    1. Your router typically caches the DNS entries it requests, and you only need to set it up once. Practically, after the first lookup it should be faster. Its also simpler, since you only need to set it up in one place. I don't use my ISP DNS servers so I alwyas set it up here

    2. no - your PC will simply ignore the router's dns server

    3. Your router's ip address IIRC. I used to run a seperate dns server inside my network at one point, and I simply used its ip address


    • Related Question

    Preferred DNS server: Router or ISP
  • Jonathan.

    I'm making my computer have a static IP address so I need to set a DNS server, should I set the Preferred DNS server setting on my computer to the IP of my router, or should I set it to the IP of my ISPs DNS server?

    Basically should I go through the router or directly to the DNS server?


    • Related Answers
  • heavyd

    As far as the DNS is concerned, it really doesn't matter. Your router will end up doing the lookup to your ISP anyway. As for performance, you will likely get better performance using your ISP directly since your router is pretty under-powered and will be relatively slow in responding to queries. However, in theory, if your router is able to cache queries, if you visit the same domains repeatedly its possible the router will be faster.

    You can use a DNS Benchmark Utility to test both options and decide for yourself.

  • bortzmeyer

    Most low-grade CPE routers are very bad with DNS proxying. It is highly recommended to bypass them and to talk directly to the ISP.

    See a survey by the swedish registry and one by ICANN SSAC. Both surveys were made in the context of DNSSEC but apply to far wider issues.

    And RFC 5625 for advices to the routers programmers (of course, not one of them have read a RFC).