@Summer quoted in pfBlockerNG-devel pfsense 23.05.1:
when you install and start pfSense the first time, and your ISP used IPv4 and DHCP
Not true in "every" case. your connection could have been a static IP and DHCP would not be in play in that case. (don't really recall you saying ISP or connection type until the question was asked)
The line of questioning was more to lead on the path of thinking about how things work in your specific case. (Learning)
Without getting into the details of how or why, my DNS for example, is all local (internal, behind the wall), fully isolated from the internet. Blazing fast DNS response times. I currently have 40-50 devices behind the 2100 - and it doesn't even have to work hard. It's all about how you approach things, with a specific goal in mind. Plan it out.
I'd would like, if you don't mind, to cycle back on what was perceived to be a long download time for you and the file. (because yes that ~30min time for you ahowed does seem excessive)
what kind of speed is your WAN?
I, for example, typically download this file in 1-2 seconds max - even on a "congested" day it might take 4 seconds (yes, the file only downloads when needed, but still )
(start) Thu 24 Aug 2023 11:26:38 EDT
% Total % Received % Xferd Average Speed Time Time Time Current
Dload Upload Total Spent Left Speed
100 6671k 100 6671k 0 0 17.0M 0 --:--:-- --:--:-- --:--:-- 17.3M
(end) Thu 24 Aug 2023 11:26:38 EDT