Thread: OpenDNS - Usage Help Needed !!

I have heard couple of posters talk about OpenDNS and how good it is. I'd like to know more about this service. Couple of questions

1. Do we need to configure their DNS server instead of BSNL's ?
2. Do we need to change our login and pw info on the admin page of the model ?
3. Does the speed increase or decrease on usage of OpenDNS ?

Maybe some member's who are familiar with service can write a detailed review about it

Originally Posted by vikramjb

I have heard couple of posters talk about OpenDNS and how good it is. I'd like to know more about this service. Couple of questions

1. Do we need to configure their DNS server instead of BSNL's ?
2. Do we need to change our login and pw info on the admin page of the model ?
3. Does the speed increase or decrease on usage of OpenDNS ?

Maybe some member's who are familiar with service can write a detailed review about it

Switching to OpenDNS will accelerate your browsing experience. The web pages will start loading faster than while being on BSNL's DNS.

I didnt understand what the second query was. If u are speaking about the credentials used to access the modem interface, yes please change the password to something secure.

The third question's answer is also given above.

Originally Posted by cool_techie_tvm

I didnt understand what the second query was. If u are speaking about the credentials used to access the modem interface, yes please change the password to something secure.

What I meant was in the modem admin page, we have a credentials given right, do I need to change to the one that I signed up with OpenDNS ?


Thanks for your reply , if there is accelrated browsing exprience does it mean I will get more speed on my machine than the plan that I bought. I have a 750UL with 256 Kbps

Originally Posted by vikramjb

What I meant was in the modem admin page, we have a credentials given right, do I need to change to the one that I signed up with OpenDNS ?


Thanks for your reply , if there is accelrated browsing exprience does it mean I will get more speed on my machine than the plan that I bought. I have a 750UL with 256 Kbps

No no, u need not enter anything such credentials in the modem. Just enter the IP address of OpenDNS.

Sadly no. OpenDNS just speeds up the resolution of the websites, and hence your web browsing experience will be fast.

Originally Posted by cool_techie_tvm

Switching to OpenDNS will accelerate your browsing experience. The web pages will start loading faster than while being on BSNL's DNS.

I didnt understand what the second query was. If u are speaking about the credentials used to access the modem interface, yes please change the password to something secure.

The third question's answer is also given above.

I doubt that, as OpenDNS servers are hosted outside india the latency would on higher side than BSNL's dns servers.

But Opendns servers are reliable than bsnl ones

Originally Posted by Gary4gar

I doubt that, as OpenDNS servers are hosted outside india the latency would on higher side than BSNL's dns servers.

But Opendns servers are reliable than bsnl ones

They use multicasting. Hence the nearest available server will be contacted for queries. Besides latency doesn't play much part while resolving website addresses. A few kbs are being transmitted and it may not make much difference whether the server is in India or US. Yet geographical consideration too must be taken. OpenDNS seems to be the best of the lot along with Level 3 communications..

Boss, it takes atleast 1-2sec extra when using open dns

Code:

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7000]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Gaurish>ping 208.67.220.220(Open DNS)

Pinging 208.67.220.220 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 208.67.220.220: bytes=32 time=297ms TTL=55
Reply from 208.67.220.220: bytes=32 time=291ms TTL=55
Reply from 208.67.220.220: bytes=32 time=297ms TTL=55
Reply from 208.67.220.220: bytes=32 time=300ms TTL=55

Ping statistics for 208.67.220.220:
    Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 291ms, Maximum = 300ms, Average = 296ms

C:\Users\Gaurish>ping 218.248.240.208(BSNL)

Pinging 218.248.240.208 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 218.248.240.208: bytes=32 time=56ms TTL=251
Reply from 218.248.240.208: bytes=32 time=55ms TTL=251
Reply from 218.248.240.208: bytes=32 time=56ms TTL=251
Reply from 218.248.240.208: bytes=32 time=54ms TTL=251

Ping statistics for 218.248.240.208:
    Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 54ms, Maximum = 56ms, Average = 55ms

See the differnce yourself
OpenDNS:300ms
BSNL:56ms

Originally Posted by Gary4gar

Boss, it takes atleast 1-2sec extra when using open dns

See the differnce yourself
OpenDNS:300ms
BSNL:56ms

Wont the secs be shorter when we try pinging a PC which is on the BSNL internal network? Try ping some public domain alternatively switching between OpenDNS and BSNL's DNS.

Originally Posted by cool_techie_tvm

Wont the secs be shorter when we try pinging a PC which is on the BSNL internal network? Try ping some public domain alternatively switching between OpenDNS and BSNL's DNS.

Regardless to what you say, OpenDNS is always slower for me

Originally Posted by Gary4gar

Regardless to what you say, OpenDNS is always slower for me

Ok. State that, instead of displaying ping results from BSNL internal servers

So I guess its Reliability Vs Speed and Performance right guys, I mean OpenDNS is always reliable but not fast enough and BSNL is fast enough but not reliable but not always.. Ofcourse speed is factor that can be found in both places depending on the location and how you see it

Thanks for all those replies guys . I am gonna try it out and let you know the results

Originally Posted by vikramjb

So I guess its Reliability Vs Speed and Performance right guys, I mean OpenDNS is always reliable but not fast enough and BSNL is fast enough but not reliable but not always.. Ofcourse speed is factor that can be found in both places depending on the location and how you see it

Thanks for all those replies guys . I am gonna try it out and let you know the results

Exactly. BSNL does not allocate much resources for DNS purposes. Hence most of the subscribers fight for a common machine, and ultimately it will lead to congestion for all the users. SO it is better to opt for stable third part providers!!

Originally Posted by cool_techie_tvm

Exactly. BSNL does not allocate much resources for DNS purposes. Hence most of the subscribers fight for a common machine, and ultimately it will lead to congestion for all the users. SO it is better to opt for stable third part providers!!

Can we raise some kinda awareness so that BSNL upgrades/allocate resources ? Is it really possible

Originally Posted by vikramjb

Can we raise some kinda awareness so that BSNL upgrades/allocate resources ? Is it really possible

Dont know. I have warned BSNL techies about a recent DNS spoofing technique last year. All i got was a thank u mail from someone named Prashant from NIB Bangalore.

Originally Posted by cool_techie_tvm

Dont know. I have warned BSNL techies about a recent DNS spoofing technique last year. All i got was a thank u mail from someone named Prashant from NIB Bangalore.

We are meaning well and they might think we are playing around. Can we file a RTI to know how much of resource's is being utilised for the DNS ?

Originally Posted by cool_techie_tvm

Dont know. I have warned BSNL techies about a recent DNS spoofing technique last year. All i got was a thank u mail from someone named Prashant from NIB Bangalore.

They have successfully matched their DNS server for that vulnerability, i was thinking how come they acted so fast.

Didn't knew it was you!

Originally Posted by Gary4gar

They have successfully matched their DNS server for that vulnerability, i was thinking how come they acted so fast.

Didn't knew it was you!

Maybe they acted out of my words, maybe they already knew it and fixed it by themselves. I got a reply mail from NIB thanking me for the suggestion. Actually i didn't expect them to contact back.

Originally Posted by Gary4gar

Regardless to what you say, OpenDNS is always slower for me

OpenDNS > Support > Knowledge Base > Why ping time is only a partial measure of DNS speed

Why ping time is only a partial measure of DNS speed


Speed of DNS is determined by two main factors: network latency and software speed.

Network latency is measured by ping time. OpenDNS has 5 data centers (4 in the United States, one in the United Kingdom), with several servers and multiple bandwidth providers in and between each location. Our anycast addresses mean you'll get a response from the closest data center.

Given our network, the ping time between you and the closest OpenDNS server should be minimal. However, even if OpenDNS is further away on the network than your current DNS provider (ISP, global roots), our custom-written software and huge caches combine to deliver a faster overall DNS experience. Even if your ISP is "closer" if they don't have the answer, your request will traverse the Internet. With OpenDNS, your request gets answered directly almost without exception.
OpenDNS is also very reliable. If anything should go awry at a data center, your requests will be resolved from the next closest data center seamlessly.

^^ Thanks for the detailed explanation and support !!

Repped

OPen DNS introduce you to

1. lot of advertisements

2. Tracking Your browsing habits ,can be monitored by others

3. Your search Engine result will give fake results

If is it good , Enjoy

Originally Posted by sure2k

OPen DNS introduce you to

1. lot of advertisements

2. Tracking Your browsing habits ,can be monitored by others

3. Your search Engine result will give fake results

If is it good , Enjoy

1) erm.... where are the ads exactly??

2) if you create an account and set it to record the traffic history, that history is only visible to you or the account password holder.

3) buddy you have a virus or adware installed on your computer if this is happening to you!

The features you mentioned=malware installed on your computer.

Please don't go about posting false and misinformed replies on the forums. I have been using opendns for months and have never encountered anything you have said, scan your computer with http://www.free-av.com/.

Originally Posted by sure2k

OPen DNS introduce you to

1. lot of advertisements

2. Tracking Your browsing habits ,can be monitored by others

3. Your search Engine result will give fake results

If is it good , Enjoy

Exactly wrong !!!

as for tracking browsing habits, its technically feasible, but I didn't find it so anytime during my 1 year of usage !


Quite opposite, it can correct common spelling mistakes in URL's, block access to sites (if desktop agent is installed), and offers custom URL shortcuts....

So where do we stand now. Last day, i changed to Open DNS. Should i stick with it?

stick with it...

open dns is even preventing the conficker worm form spreading... i really don't see whats to decide here...