DNS--What,When,How???

First of all what is DNS?

DNS stands for Domain Name System. It is an Internet service that translates domain names or host name  into IP address. Our machine does not understand Host names, they identify websites using IP address. When u enter a website name in url bar of your browser the browser sends the request to a DNS server to resolve the website name and it returns a IP address.When IP address of website is received browser contacts the IP address and displays the Website. For eg: www.google.com might be translated to  209.85.231.104. Now you might have understood what are DNS so lets move a step ahead and discuss whats is DNS server. A DNS server is a dedicated machine or server or a service within a machine that provides name resolution in an IP network. It changes names of websites and other network resources to numeric IP addresses.

Now the question arises what is a public DNS server?

Most of the DNS servers are private i.e. they provide services to a company who owns and configures them.Example if you are using airtel or mtnl broadband connection they provide their private DNS servers. It means a Mtnl user cannot use airtel DNS servers. But there are some DNS server available on the net that provide DNS resolution to anyone who requests it to them. These are called public DNS servers. These servers are used by people for faster and safer browsing. You can use these servers as an alternative to your private DNS servers.Some public DNS servers are

1. Google

1. 8.8.8.8
2. 8.8.4.4

2. ScrubIt Public dns server address:

1. 67.138.54.100
2. 207.225.209.66

3. dnsadvantage free dns server list:

1. 156.154.70.1
2. 156.154.71.1

4. OpenDNS

1. 208.67.222.222
2. 208.67.220.220

5.   vnsc-pri.sys.gtei.net

Public Name server IP address:

1. 4.2.2.1
2. 4.2.2.2
3. 4.2.2.3
4. 4.2.2.4
5. 4.2.2.5

Now ill discuss step by step how to configure public DNS. I am going to use Windows 7 in which I will use these public DNS.  Same method can be used in Windows XP or Vista. So lets begin with the guide.

Step 1: Click on start button in your windows and open Control Panel.

Step 2: Now Open Network and Internet option in control panel.

Step 3: In network and internet select Network and sharing center option.

Step 4: Click on Local Area Connection option in window given below access type option.

Step 5:Click on properties button in local area network status window.

Step 6:Now select Internet Protocol Version 4(TCP/IPv4) and click on Properties.

Step 7: In properties window now click on advanced option.

Step 8:  Now under DNS tab edit the DNS addresses to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.8.4 . Don’t forget to take  a backup of the original DNS. By backup i mean just write down the old DNS addresses( if any) on piece of paper.

Step 9: Now save and exit.

How to test : You can test whether DNS is working correctly or not by opening your browser and open any site and check whether it’s working or not. If it’s working, then public DNS is configured properly on your system.

Kindly share your experience and views about it.