Windows 7: DNS Server - use any one that "ranks" higher?

During the internet access outage, I allowed Windows 7 to diagnose and fix my issue. I did read an error message about DNS and started poking around and found a DNS Benchmark freeware which gave me list of DNS Servers which rate higher than the one that I am currently using. Question - can I use any DNS for my network and is there advantage or disadvantage?

Not sure what you mean by one ranked higher than another. Is it linked to response times?

It depends on what you are doing as to what type of DNS server is best. If an organisation then you may want to use an internal DNS server so that internal host names are resolved. You can either set one up normally or you can point your DNS server to your default gateway and your router should use it's internal one. For public DNS servers I normally use Google's Public ones rather than my ISP since Google has a much higher throughput and better failover capability.

Google DNS :

8.8.8.8

8.8.4.4

Of course it is best to set these up on the router so all clients use them rather than going to each host and assigning them.

Hope This Helps,
Josh

Yeah, I was talking about response time. I found 4.2.2.1 and 4.2.2.2 to be higher ranked in response time according to DNSBench.exe freeware. I made the change in the router.

My Question is that the ISP Provided DNS cause internet outage where I need to reboot my router?

Nope, DNS should not affect the stability of a router. If you have to reboot the router to enable connectivity then you are probably looking at either an issue with your connection or a possible hardware issue.

Josh

I stumbled across the DNS Benchmark webpage and liked what I read . I ran the DNS Benchmark program to find the fastest reputable DNS servers and subsequently changed my TCP/IP protocol properties to "Use the following DNS server addresses:" from "Obtain DNS server address automatically." I also changed "Obtain an IP address automatically" to "Use the following IP address" and entered my DSL modem default IP addresses for IP address, Subnet mask, and Default gateway. I didn't notice any faster website surfing. I did notice after several subsequent reboots that I was accumulating errors in my Windows Logs related to the network. So, I changed the IP address and DNS address items back to the default "Obtain automatically" setting. All the Windows Log errors didn't appear anymore.

My ISP is Verizon DSL, so your mileage may vary.

The lesson I learned was that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Regards

This is for work/office setting with about a dozen station and dozen VOIP phones; so I need to have the internet up 100%. I have frequently had to reboot the router. The router is acting as my dhcp server and assigned an internal IP address of 192.168.10.1 and is set to obtain IP address automatically. Computers are set to obtain IP address automatically also.

Your IP configuration shouldn't be an issue. When the Internet disconnects are you able to ping each device within the LAN or does all connectivity fail?

Do you have any lights on the router? Upon disconnect does the Internet light change colour at all?

Many thanks,
Josh

You might like to have a look at this program. Dns Jumper v1.0.5 « Sordum.org

I haven't pinged devices within the LAN when the internet goes down; rushing to restart the router and get the internet up and running. Same goes fro the lights - I am in a rush to get the internet up and running.

hmmm... do I do this on each of the computers?