Attention Geeks! OpenDNS

[Boyboy]

Anyone tried this? I just set it up (10 minutes ago) and it really seems to speed up the webpage loading with some previously problematic sites! normal sites seem to load a tad faster but it's hard to tell, cos chrome already helped to make things load faster

 

The devices I've tried are my iPod Touch and iMac on Snow Leopard. Using safari for the ipod and Chrome for the iMac. I connect to a Starhub 2mbps cable connection via an Airport Extreme router

 

I decided to try after reading this... particular New York Times article

 

Wiki on OpenDNS

 

The few things it claims: Faster webpage loading, can filter addresses (for those with kids), blocking of phishing sites automatically...

 

Anyway, I'm only concerned with the first benefit and it seems to deliver thus far. Has anyone else tried this? I'm also keen to hear about any issues that those who have tried might have encountered.

 

For those using routers, basically just change the DNS server settings to the OpenDNS server address. write down your old address first. the addresses are in the wiki and also the openDNS site

 

and no, i do not gain anything by introducing this service, other than a community of support should i need to ask stuff.. hahahaha.. the alternative is I simply revert to my old settings and stop using this.

[1fast1]

Anyone tried this? I just set it up (10 minutes ago) and it really seems to speed up the webpage loading with some previously problematic sites! normal sites seem to load a tad faster but it's hard to tell, cos chrome already helped to make things load faster

 

The devices I've tried are my iPod Touch and iMac on Snow Leopard. Using safari for the ipod and Chrome for the iMac. I connect to a Starhub 2mbps cable connection via an Airport Extreme router

 

I decided to try after reading this... particular New York Times article

 

Wiki on OpenDNS

 

The few things it claims: Faster webpage loading, can filter addresses (for those with kids), blocking of phishing sites automatically...

 

Anyway, I'm only concerned with the first benefit and it seems to deliver thus far. Has anyone else tried this? I'm also keen to hear about any issues that those who have tried might have encountered.

 

For those using routers, basically just change the DNS server settings to the OpenDNS server address. write down your old address first. the addresses are in the wiki and also the openDNS site

 

and no, i do not gain anything by introducing this service, other than a community of support should i need to ask stuff.. hahahaha.. the alternative is I simply revert to my old settings and stop using this.

 

Does it allow access to the ...ahem... sites on the MDA blocklist? Normally one needs to use a proxy server or anonymising service to get access to those, but would this work instead?

 

The DNS service resolves hostnames to IP addresses. So if the MDA blocklist operates at the level of the domain name (www.whatever.com), then OpenDNS might help. However, if they're blocking at the level of the actual IP, then it won't.

 

At work now, but I might try this out when I get home. Thanks!

Edited August 21, 2010 by Turboflat4

[Boyboy]

Does it allow access to the ...ahem... sites on the MDA blocklist? Normally one needs to use a proxy server or anonymising service to get access to those, but would this work instead?

 

The DNS service resolves hostnames to IP addresses. So if the MDA blocklist operates at the level of the domain name (www.whatever.com), then OpenDNS might help. However, if they're blocking at the level of the actual IP, then it won't.

 

At work now, but I might try this out when I get home. Thanks!

 

what sites are blocked ah?

 

i shall go and try

 

EDIT:

 

nope it doesn't work. i tried to access tube eight and still blocked.. hahahahah...

 

but i suggest u try to access those sites which are previously slow to load. opendns might help in some cases. even NEA website seems to load faster on my ipod compared to usual. it's noticeably faster

 

Also, u can google this program called Namebench. It will determine if opendns really is the quickest DNS server. i read that it isn't always the case. but in my case, it is so i'll stick with it as long as it works. i'm not sure how the various ISPs compare for DNS server speed, so your results will vary if u use singtel or M1 broadband. mine is starhub. worked fine before but it can always be zhng

Edited August 21, 2010 by Boyboy

[Kb27]

Opendns is just another dns server.

It doesn't change anything other than you not using ISP provided dns server.

 

If you type a non-existant address, opendns will lead you some place else...probably they can sell some ads there.

[Kb27]

If you want the fastest dns server, you can setup your own caching dns server.

Linux is probably easier to setup if you know linux.

[1fast1]

If you want the fastest dns server, you can setup your own caching dns server.

Linux is probably easier to setup if you know linux.

 

I wonder if using the localhost file as a pre-DNS lookup would have the same effect (of having a really fast DNS)?

 

Right now, I'm using it as a blocklist (redirecting sites to 127.0.0.1) but I suppose I could also use it the other way by providing the right IP address for other frequently used sites, right?

[1fast1]

what sites are blocked ah?

 

i shall go and try

 

EDIT:

 

nope it doesn't work. i tried to access tube eight and still blocked.. hahahahah...

 

but i suggest u try to access those sites which are previously slow to load. opendns might help in some cases. even NEA website seems to load faster on my ipod compared to usual. it's noticeably faster

 

Also, u can google this program called Namebench. It will determine if opendns really is the quickest DNS server. i read that it isn't always the case. but in my case, it is so i'll stick with it as long as it works. i'm not sure how the various ISPs compare for DNS server speed, so your results will vary if u use singtel or M1 broadband. mine is starhub. worked fine before but it can always be zhng

 

Thanks for trying it out. www(DOT)playboy(DOT)com is the gold-standard for MDA block-checking.

[Kb27]

I wonder if using the localhost file as a pre-DNS lookup would have the same effect (of having a really fast DNS)?

 

Right now, I'm using it as a blocklist (redirecting sites to 127.0.0.1) but I suppose I could also use it the other way by providing the right IP address for other frequently used sites, right?

localhost file is the fastest.

It's the first thing the OS looks for when you type a named address.

 

However, you can't use it as a real dns because the Internet is simply too big and too much for you to do manual entry.

 

You are only using it as a trick to block certain websites.

 

 

[Boyboy]

If you want the fastest dns server, you can setup your own caching dns server.

Linux is probably easier to setup if you know linux.

 

using mac. tried linux but not much point for my usage on apple hardware.

 

nowhere near pro enuff to do that, but maybe in time i will. now still enjoying the speed boost from opendns. maybe starhub dns server cmi?