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How To Use Google Public DNS or OpenDNS in Ubuntu 9.10

Posted by blognusantara | Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Recently Google launched a public DNS. I used to use Open DNS's service for quite a while which is far better than my ISP's default. But I am always on the look for better free DNS. So when the news of Google DNS broke out, I don't wait another second to try it.
So here's how to use it in Ubuntu (or should I say Gnome's Network Connections).
  • run System -> Preferences -> Network Connections
  • you can either edit your existing connection or add new one. I suggest add a new one, so you can switch between them as a backup,
  • add your connection as your ISP manual, but on IPv4 Settings, choose Automatic (PPP) addresses only as Method and type this in Google's public DNS servers : 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4
    or if you prefer OpenDNS's type this : 208.67.222.222, 208.67.220.220


In my case, Google DNS performs better than OpenDNS, but your mileage may vary...
If you're concern about how Google may collect/use your data, read its privacy page here.
Speaking of DNS Servers and Ubuntu, I remember back in Ubuntu 8.10 it was impossible to use custom DNS as it always revert to ISP's default. And it's been better since then, WTG Ubuntu :)
 


keyword : google public dns, howto, ubuntu

4 comments
  1. Lee Hunter December 8, 2009 at 7:52 PM  

    Your dialog is different than mine (9.10) and your instructions totally don't match what I see.

  2. conorsulli December 8, 2009 at 8:35 PM  

    I have to agree with Lee above me ... Your dialogs do not match mine in Karmic... Please update the how-to as it seems very interesting!

  3. Phill December 8, 2009 at 9:27 PM  

    He's using mobile broadband, for a wired or wireless connection, it's still under the IPv4 Settings tab, then you want to select "Method: Automatic (DHCP) addresses only" and enter the Google domains in the "DNS servers:" box.

  4. Panji Nushantara December 9, 2009 at 10:12 AM  

    @Lee & conorsulli :
    Phil is right, I use mobile broadband. the dialog is slightly different but it's there.
    here's a screenshot of wired/wireless connection dialog.