Google DNS vs Open DNS

opethdisciple · 15 Sep 2011 at 00:52

Been using google DNS for a while now, generally its good, but every now and then it can be a bit slow.

What do we actually know about Google DNS?

Do they even have DNS servers hosted in the UK?

Open DNS at least show you the locations of their server around the globe.

Any thoughts?

Sin_Chase · 15 Sep 2011 at 01:14

Is your ISP provided DNS that bad/slow that any other one is worth using?

Princey · 15 Sep 2011 at 01:15

I'm a networking n00b... whats the advantage of using a different DNS to the one the ISP gives as default?

Sin_Chase · 15 Sep 2011 at 01:16

Princey said:
I'm a networking n00b... whats the advantage of using a different DNS to the one the ISP gives as default?

You can do DNS level site filtering/blocking with some (Like OpenDNS) and if your ISP DNS server is shockingly carp then using another is worthwhile and can, in some cases, speed up browsing significantly.

opethdisciple · 15 Sep 2011 at 01:32

Sin_Chase said:
Is your ISP provided DNS that bad/slow that any other one is worth using?

Well originally when I was with Be there, they where having some issues with their DNS servers (2008) so I switched to google DNS or Open DNS.

Now with BT, I still use Google DNS out of habit.

shine · 15 Sep 2011 at 08:57

You shouldn't choose a DNS server based on other peoples experiences, instead use a DNS benchmark yourself and pick the one that performs best:

http://www.grc.com/dns/benchmark.htm

Wucked · 15 Sep 2011 at 11:15

Unless you're trying to do something special with DNS security then you may as well just switch to your ISP's DNS. Unless it keeps having to do recursive queries for you, then its likely to be among the fastest anyway simply by virtue of being the closest, or at least on the same network.

bledd · 15 Sep 2011 at 15:09

Princey said:
I'm a networking n00b... whats the advantage of using a different DNS to the one the ISP gives as default?

Sometimes (not often) your ISP's DNS will mess up, and you will barely be able to visit any websites via the URL, you'll have to visit them via the IP instead.

What DNS does is translates a URL into an IP, kind of like having your house address assigned to your phone number..

Changing it to the Google one when yours are down will fix any browsing problems that you have. -Since Google is never down..

If you use OpenDNS, you can use their website to filter websites / porn etc using pre-defined rules

Terrier_Jimlad · 15 Sep 2011 at 23:04

Not to mention some UK ISP's are stupidly slow at updating (especially when you're in the business of domain name registrations)

You'll find dedicated DNS like Google's and OpenDNS will be updated within a matter of minutes of a new domain been registered with Nominet or eNom etc

I use OpenDNS, always have, always will (until they start charging)

opethdisciple · 16 Sep 2011 at 12:55

Im sure some of you feel the same about technology....

I just cannot stop tinkering with my dns....

I'v been happily using google dns for a few months, then every now and then experience a little slowness.

Hard to determine if its dns or bt or website slowness, then I get the itch to switch the dns to a different provider......

Back and forth.... going to try and stick with open dns for the time being.

Tech OCD!