[SATLUG] Home DNS Caching

[Daniel J. Givens]

Robert Pearson wrote:
> I am now looking at building my own DNS server.
> My preference would be to install DD-WRT in a Linksys router to use.
> This method can be more difficult to get working for novices like me
> than installing on a regular machine.

DD-WRT has dnsmasq installed and enabled by default. The installation of
DD-WRT is dead simple. Restore the factory default, install the new
firmware through the web interface. It reboots and you go through and
reconfigure as you please. Each make/model and version of the router may
change the process some, so make sure you read the instructions specific
to your hardware[1]. Overall, though, I would say it's as easy if not
easier than installing it on the local machine.

> What do people do for DNS services on their laptop when off the home
> network?
> Leave their DNS server on all the time?

If I'm out and using my laptop for more than a few minutes, I typically
VPN back to my home network[2] and use my DNS server at home. If I'm
just doing a quick connect/disconnect to check email or look up
something, I just use the DNS server given to me via DHCP. Also, I have
a system dedicated to being a server for my network and I leave it on
all the time for various reasons.

[1] http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Installation
[2] http://openvpn.net/