29 May 2007OpenDNS NetworkMapOpenDNS.comBy: Dragos Jijau, Software News Editor
Faster, safer, easier equals better
The famous line used by auto enthusiasts – "need for speed" – can be easily applied in theinternet field as well, due to the high demand for faster internet connections. The old dial updies slowly while broadband connections spread all over the world. Even so, no matter howmuch bandwidth we are provided with we will always want more.There are numerous guides to teach the user how to tune up the PC and especially theoperating system in order to increase the internet speed though one more won’t harmanyone. Among the various reasons which cause the pages to load slower is the DNSresponse time. The Domain Name System is actually a service that converts domains intoIP addresses to ease the job of a user browsing the internet. Hence, for the user’s comfort,he is required to fill the address bar only with the domain name –which is easy to remember – instead of the actual IP address (something like this: 62.223.112.334). The DNS server has the task of translating the information and to return an answer: thecorresponding IP address for the domain name. As simple as it may seem, some ISPs lackfast DNS servers which involve delayed responses thus slow page loads. However, thisguide is meant to offer you a viable solution. What would you say if I told you that youshould get rid of your ISP’s DNS servers and use someone else’s?Most of the users would impose one condition: the alternative DNS servers must beFASTER. Well, they are. I am talking about the DNS servers provided by OpenDNS. Thesealternative servers are meant to deliver faster DNS responses than regular ones usuallyprovided by ISPs. By switching to OpenDNS servers – which, by the way, are free – you willaccess no more those provided by the ISP you are connected through, but it’s worth it.The imminent question would be: "how can I use them?" Well, it is very simple; all you haveto do is to instruct your Windows to use these servers instead of the ones you are currentlyusing as an ISP subscriber. Because most of you are using Windows XP and lately Vista isthe guide on how to "teach" Windows to use the free and quick-responsive DNS serversfrom OpenDNS.
For Windows XP
Check the system tray. Can you see the two monitors blinking? If yes, right click on them,and from the newly appeared menu choose Status. Now go to Properties and from theLocal Area Connection Properties window scroll the list until you get Internet Protocol(TCP/IP). Select it and click Properties. By doing that, you’ve got the configuration windowwhere IP and DNS settings can be configured. We are not interested in changing anythingrelated to the IP address, therefore leave the settings the way they are. At the bottom, theDNS servers can be configured. By default, depending on your ISP settings, the DNSservers can be supplied automatically, which implies "Obtain DNS server addressautomatically" option to be checked or manually introduced. No matter which variant youdiscover you have to click on "Use the fallowing DNS server addresses" and in the twofields separated by dots you have to add these servers:
Preferred DNS server: 208.67.222.222
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