[SATLUG] Home DNS Caching

[Daniel J. Givens]

Sean Carolan wrote:
> Do any of you run your own DNS server on your home networks?  If so do
> you find this beneficial?

Yes, I do. I use it for more than just caching. I do a good deal of web
development and it helps to be able to create new hostnames for virtual
hosts. Also, I have an internal mail server, so having the MX record is
handy. The speeds are better for me when it comes to resolution, but
that largely depends on your ISPs nameservers. I have a crappy ISP and
their nameservers are slow when they aren't down.

In all honesty, setting up a BIND caching nameserver is typically no
more than installing the package from your distro and making sure it's
running. If you have a host based firewall on the to-be server, then you
have to open up the ports on the box (TCP/UDP 53). Other than that,
either change your workstations to point to the new server or update
your DHCP settings. Easy as pie.