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    New user question about DNS resolver

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved DHCP and DNS
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    • Z
      zippy2016
      last edited by

      If I am using DNS resolver, does this mean that I don't have to set DNS servers in the general settings? If I don't set the DNS servers for the system, how does pfsense know how to find addresses? Also, is there any improvement in speed by manually entering DNS servers (for example, my ISP DNS servers)?

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      • johnpozJ
        johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
        last edited by

        No you do not need to set any dns if you using the resolver.  Its a resolver!!  It walks down from roots to the authoritative server for what your looking for and directly asks it for what your wanting vs asking your isp for the record and just getting back the cached entry.

        You get your info direct from the horses mouth using the resolver.

        Yes in some cases using your isp caching dns can be quicker than resolving something for the first time.  If you are having speed issues with the resolver, then I would suggest you just go back to the forwarder and use whatever open/public/isp dns you want to use.

        I would really suggest you read up the difference between forwarding and resolving..  I like my info direct even if takes a few ms longer, also using dnssec, etc.

        An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
        If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
        Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
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        • Z
          zippy2016
          last edited by

          Thanks.  One more question - are there any security/privacy implications to using DNS resolver vs an ISP DNS server?

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          • johnpozJ
            johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
            last edited by

            Well in the resolver you can be sure you have dnssec support.  With a forwarder would depend if they support it or not, etc.

            Your never sure what is in the cache in the forwarder you ask, could be bad.  With resolver you know your talking to the authoritative server and getting the info from the horses mouth.  Especially if its a dnssec enabled domain.

            An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
            If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
            Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
            SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.8, 24.11

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            • K
              kpa
              last edited by

              With the resolver and without forwarders you're not vulnerable to an attack known as cache poisoning where a compromised forwarder serves specially crafted malicious answers to redirect clients of the forwarder to sites that are part of an attack network.

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