What is DNS ?
DNS or Domain Name System is called the switchboard of the internet. DNS converts easy to remember web site names to corresponding machine readable IP address format.
For eg when you type zonshare.com in your address bar your browser sends a request to a DNS server to get the ip address corresponding to zonshare.com. Similarly DNS Server holds a list of web addresses and corresponding IP addresses.
server1.com -> x.x.x.x
server2.com –> x.x.x.x
DNS server will return the IP Address of zonshare.com which is 72.9.149.132. Once the browser/computer gets the IP Address then it can communicate with that server directly.
If the requested details is available on your default DNS server then it will return that details quickly back to your browser. But a single DNS server cannot hold millions of domain and ip address details. So if the requested info is not readily available then your default DNS server will hand over the request to next level dns servers. The request will go to top level and bottom level servers until it finds the requested details.
This process will take some time (few seconds) depends on the load on the DNS servers and the availability of the requested domain details. That is why sometimes you have to wait for few seconds especially when you try to open less popular websites.
Google Public DNS – a DNS resolver from Google
This week Google announced its public DNS Service aim to speed up dns resolving process. With the help of cloud computing and better server infrastructure Google DNS servers can store millions of web server addresses and handle huge amount of simultaneous DNS requests which will speed up the entire process.
Google DNS Servers : 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
Moving to Google Public DNS Service
You can move to Google DNS Service by updating your Operating System’s DNS settings. Normally changing DNS entries doesn’t change any other settings or features irrespective of your ISP but it is better to note down your current settings before making any change.
Adding Google DNS Server details in Windows Vista and Windows 7
Similarly refer your Operating System Manual for changing the DNS setting or refer this page
If you are connecting to Internet using a proxy server or wireless router then you have to change the dns settings there. Refer to the device manual or proxy server manual for the details specific to that device/proxy.
After moving to Google DNS we are experiencing a fast response from for the DNS requests. So try this new Google DNS and feel the difference !
But remember a fast DNS server will help your browser to find out the server quickly but it doesn’t make any changes to the browsing speed as it is purely depends on your bandwidth plan and efficiency of your ISP.