OpenDNS - have you tried it?

[Rik]

I've switched to using OpenDNS at the moment (point your router to 208.67.222.222/208.67.220.220).

It may be imagination, but it seems snappier than the IDNet DNS servers. I'd be interested in other people's opinions and experience.

[Simon]

What are the security implications, if any?  It's just the word 'open' that bothers me slightly.

[Rik]

It claims to be more secure than ISP's DNS, it certainly has a phishing trap. Check out the web site at www.opendns.com.

[Ray]

Just switched over to it Rik, to give it a trial and see how it goes.

[Lance]

Maybe we should be asking why is it quicker than IDNet's? (If it actually is that is!)

[Noreen]

Do you only have to change the DNS numbers on the router or do you have to change them on the computer as well? Also is it necessary to create an account?

[Lance]

Just on the router, Noreen. Shouldn't be a need to create an account

Edit: This might help you... http://www.opendns.com/start/home_network.php

[tomharrison]

Good find. I've found the OpenDNS servers to be noticeably quicker, however I've also found a problem.

Streaming video on bbc.co.uk does not work with the OpenDNS servers. A traceroute to www.bbc.co.uk gives the following:

Tracing route to www.bbc.net.uk [212.58.240.31]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

  1     3 ms     2 ms     2 ms  www.routerlogin.com [192.168.0.1]
  2    32 ms    36 ms    32 ms  telehouse-gw3.idnet.net [212.69.63.55]
  3    33 ms    32 ms    39 ms  rt-lonap-b.thdo.bbc.co.uk [193.203.5.91]
  4    33 ms    32 ms    33 ms  212.58.238.149
  5    33 ms    33 ms    32 ms  212.58.238.33
  6   110 ms   105 ms   107 ms  212.58.255.193
  7   105 ms   106 ms   106 ms  www1.thny.bbc.co.uk [212.58.240.31]

Trace complete.

Interestingly enough, a traceroute to bbc.co.uk gives this:

Tracing route to bbc.co.uk [212.58.224.131]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

  1     2 ms     2 ms     2 ms  www.routerlogin.com [192.168.0.1]
  2    32 ms    31 ms    31 ms  telehouse-gw3.idnet.net [212.69.63.55]
  3    33 ms    31 ms    33 ms  rt-lonap-a.thdo.bbc.co.uk [193.203.5.90]
  4    32 ms    33 ms    33 ms  212.58.238.129
  5    33 ms    32 ms    32 ms  rdirwww-vip.thdo.bbc.co.uk [212.58.224.131]

Trace complete.

It seems we are routed to the US using the full BBC web address, but not when the www prefix isn't used. This issue is being investigated between OpenDNS and the BBC according to the OpenDNS forum, so hopefully they can get the issue resolved.

Going slightly off topic - anybody know why my pings have jumped up ~10ms in the last few weeks? Used to get a steady 20-23ms to UK servers, now it's more like 32-34. (And I've not been put on an interleaved path either)

[Rik]

Hi Tom

Have you checked ping times with IDNet's DNS, just to eliminate OpenDNS?

[Rik]

Maybe we should be asking why is it quicker than IDNet's? (If it actually is that is!)

First let's decide if it is, then we'll ask.

[tomharrison]

Hi Tom

Have you checked ping times with IDNet's DNS, just to eliminate OpenDNS?

Hi Rik,

Yes, the ping times are the same on IDNet's DNS servers - it's the 1st hop which has increased.

[Rik]

Another member did report increased pings a few weeks ago, Tom, so I would suggest asking support to check.

[Rik]

IDNet have now beefed up their name servers - discussion here.