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OpenDNS, a Better and Safer DNS Network

Started by Fred Brunel · 10 months ago

The DNS system is the yellow pages of the Internet. A network of connected servers that translates domain names into IP addresses. DNS are one of the building blocks of the Internet and one of its weakness. If someone manage to put down the DNS network, the Internet won’t be able work ... Continue reading »

9 comments

  • John Roberts

    2 years ago

    Fred, thanks for taking a look.

    We'll be in London soon (hardware is racked, setting up bandwidth). Some folks in Europe and Australia say that we're already faster for them, despite the network latency. Guess it depends on your current DNS provider, since speed for DNS = network latency + speed of resolution. We're fast on the latter even for those outside the US. Also, if you go back to an earlier [blog post](http://blog.opendns.com/2006/06/21/milliseconds-matter-speed-of-light/), you'll see that we're quite aware we need to distribute our network further.

    I'd be curious to see what your experience might be like before and after our London node comes online. Let me know if you try it.

    John Roberts
    OpenDNS
    reply
  • Fred Brunel

    2 years ago

    Hi John,

    It's a great news that you're close to firing up the London access... I'll try it as soon as it opens and I'll let you know about the results...

    Since I live in Bordeaux, in south-west of France, Paris would be a definitive location for an OpenDNS server, but I suppose London is fine for a start.

    Thank you.
    reply
  • Michel Veigh

    2 years ago

    Hello Frederic,

    As yourself, as French and other Europeans, I am really looking forwards to have OpenDNS networked from London, since London it shall be. Here in Tours (between Bordeaux and Paris), I have pings for 208.207.222.222 and 208.207.220.220 (OpenDNS servers) at 125ms, while the pings for the DNS sever I've chosen (Oleane: 194.2.0.20 and 194.2.0.50) are at 31ms (these are stable values). Presently, I do not observe a noticeable difference in DNS speed, but perhaps will the UK-based server, all together with other improvements, modify coming results. And that is for speaking of time only, since as you point it out, OpenDNS also carries phishing and spelling mistakes prevention.

    Wait and see....

    Regards.
    reply
  • Fred Brunel

    2 years ago

    I've experienced the same results with my ISP DNS servers. We'll see with as soon as the London center is up.

    Apart from that even if the OpenDNS initiative is great, very few people will actually use it. I wonder if they plan to talk with ISP to directly configure subscribers to connect to OpenDNS instead of their own...

    I wonder what is the current adoption of OpenDNS among users and ISPs.
    reply
  • Michel Veigh

    2 years ago

    Concerning any initiative from OpenDNS upon ISPs to have them propose OpenDNS servers as default, I personally don't think so. OpenDNS seems to focuse on the idea of liberty, - and they are right to do so - liberty to change or to switch back whenever to other DNS servers.

    As for the adoption of OpenDNS among users, I wonder as you do what the impact will truly be. Perhaps USA will lead this new concept, this new approach to DNS services, through OpenDNS. I love France, my country, but I have to admit that - as to what I feel or believe of our nation's mentalities - french users will not be in the Top3 OpenDNS European Chart... unless communication really brins OpenDNS to the front line. So I would say that, for all of those who will adopt DNS, more particularly here in France, if they do adopt it meaning they will have reasons to adopt it, then let them share those reasons, and give the word whenever, on blogs as you do, on forums, in conversations ans so on!

    Bye
    reply
  • Fred Brunel

    2 years ago

    Michel,

    I definitely share your opinion regarding French mentality in that regard and I also think the adoption will be quite low here...

    But you know, that reminds me all the security things around Internet, viruses, Windows... People are absolutely not conscious about the risks of being connected, securities issues, phising and they don't even know what a DNS is or a software upgrade...

    So I just wonder how people will be able to choose OpenDNS on their own will.
    reply
  • Michel Veigh

    2 years ago

    I agree with you, Frederic: users are the first source (or let us say, second!) of Web disturbances (mal/adware, viruses, spam) in that they do not understand, for most of them, the effect of contamination and propagation. I'm not sure in this matter what the "Web responsibility awareness" topography of France might be, as such and as compared to other countries. I've always preached the idea ISPs should inform new consumers about the reality of the Web (dangers and responsibilities, defence arsenal), much more than they actually do. Otherwise, if things keep on going - worldwide - as they do, a Web license will be the next step, in the same way as a driver's license for a vehicle. Referring to our french mentality, I was pointing out rather a certain "intellectual" conservatism rather than the fact French could be less aware of their "Web responsibilities " then others, but who knows?

    Surfing the Web leads to a tremendous amount of information, except one: reality of the average user's mentality. We see, hear, read only what has been, or is, expressed. We observe the visible part of the iceberg, and the illusion could be to believe all users (or a great deal) are geeks, pros, and responsible. I'm afraid the average user's profile is far away from that, in the same way talkative inhabitants of a great city are not representative of the whole nation, and particularly of the deep country's way of life... not that I criticize, but the rythm is different, as well as the aims and the means to have them achieved. The Web is not representative of the average user.

    You know, Frederic, I am continuously surprised to see how the Web is maintaining itself, and when I say Web I mean in fact the growing worlwide networks and computerized infrastructure of the planet. I am surprised as well to observe what mankind is capable of, when liberty is the sky, when anonymity are the wings. And even though all this, I remain optimistic. I guess I remain convinced there are more "good guys" than "bad guys". I guess above all that "bad guys" will relalize their mistakes, and that "good guys" will (contine to) understand they are themselves not perfect. In one word: I believe in the power of communication.

    Gee, have I talked ;)
    reply
  • Fred Brunel

    2 years ago

    Michel,

    I'm sure we can say without mistake that now most Internet users are non-technical people. As you said, ISP should be the first authority to protect and inform them about the dangesr of surfing the web. Unfortunately you're right, that's absolutely not the reality

    When I discovered the Internet (in 1994) and I got a personal connection, I immediately saw the potential dangers of being connected. I said to myself that when time comes where average users will be connected, then we'll be in a lot of trouble... Today, when I see the computers of my friends and family being infected or corrupted because of the Internet, I think I was right. It's a real mess for "naive" people.

    Someone and first ISPs should take the responsibility to protect users by properly configuring their Internet connection as well as OS vendors. I easily understand that most user don't care about how all of that work, they want to use it safely and I'm sure they are ready to pay for garantees.

    Talking about the Web infrastructure itself, I'm just amazed each time I fire up a browser. For the first time in the history, humanity has managed to gather forces to build a planetary wide compatible network infrastructure accessible to all people for free. This "second world" of freedom should be protected and even "bad guys" have a lot to loose in trying to destroy it.

    Since we are part of the generation of people who saw the web grow, we also have a part of responsibility to teach other people how to use it carefully. I try to do it anytime I can, but it's not easy to teach that to people... The Web is too much assimilated to trivial technologies such as TV -- as well as computers -- and it's more complex than that...
    reply
  • Michel Veigh

    2 years ago

    Hello Frederic,

    Actually I was searching for my nane's involvment on the Web by means of the Copernic Agent meta search engine, and I rediscovered our both comments on your Web site. A smile.

    Well, as for OpenDNS, we are a bunch I believe (I'm even sure of thet!) to be lingering fot those London servers to open. Fortunately, OpenDNS' blog keeps up the realtime info on the outcome, yet to "arise"!

    I agree with you, we have seen the Web's birth, and we admire - or notice - it's adventure towards maturity. 'Maturity' is not the right word since it could let believe wisdom is only a matter of time. Let's say, towards tomorrow...

    Whatever tomorrow shall be - including this fantastic phenomena - no doubt in my mind life learns from itself: life is intelligent, even if its creatures mat not always be.

    So, as you see, I remain optimistic. I'd be stupid - and I happen to be more than once - to not live in conformity with the outcome of life.

    'Till next.
    reply

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