OpenDNS for reliable internet access

December 13, 2007 / Filed under: DNS, Internet, Services

Although it's been available for a while, I just discovered OpenDNS yesterday while experiencing a DNS-related internet outage (I had a separate DSL line providing me internet access while the main service was out).

Having understood little about DNS prior to the outage, I learned that every ISP provides their own DNS for internet access. If the DNS from your ISP is experiencing problems, your internet access will be unavailable. However, using free tools like OpenDNS, you can simply direct your DNS server, router, or computer to the external nameservers, which instantly restores your internet access.

The goal, though, is to make sure your primary ISP fixes their existing DNS problems.

The funny thing is our internet access is remarkably faster using OpenDNS, than it was using the DNS from our ISP. Not to mention OpenDNS provides extra tools like stats, phishing protection, typo corrections, and much more.

This is all free of charge. No software to install. You simply supply these two nameservers to your existing network setup:

  • 208.67.222.222
  • 208.67.220.220

And you're good to go.

Comments/Mentions

# John Roberts at 12/13/2007 1:42 pm cst

Glad you found OpenDNS. You can (and should) use our service no matter how you connect to the Internet.

# Dhruv Jolly at 12/14/2007 5:23 am cst

I recently came across another free DNS(recursive) Service from NeuStar. Its a publicly traded company doing business with companies like Oracle, Amazon, LinkedIn and thousands of other Major Internet Players. It was easy point my router to their IP Addresses and I was back online. Check out their link below:

www.DNSADVantage.com

# Mike at 12/14/2007 11:33 am cst

NeuStar does business with big companies, but none of them are using DNS Advantage. They also haven't made a clear statement on users privacy, where OpenDNS has and lets you control what data is stored about you.

DNS Advantage also hasn't actually built any features like OpenDNS has. Its all "coming soon" :(