DnsSpeeder speeds up DNS lookup through local DNS cache

[safeguy]

One sure-fire way to speed up DNS lookups from your computer is to setup a DNS proxy server or DNS cache locally on your computer. The local DNS server sits between the web applications and the network and intercepts all DNS requests sent to Internet DNS servers. These requests are then cached locally on the machine so that further DNS queries can be looked up from the local cache instead of from a remote DNS server. This has a positive effect on the speed of browsing.

DnsSpeeder is a free program that accepts a client’s DNS request and looks up the IP addresses of the requested domain at its local cache. If the domain is found, the results are sent to the client. If not, the query is sent to a remote DNS server and the results returned to the client. Additionally, the new domain is added to the cache

Read more here

Since I tend to clear my DNS cache often, this thing looks like a keeper. Best of both worlds

[leofelix]

Thank you Safeguy
it sounds interesting

Apart from speeding up DNS lookups, another useful thing you can do with DnsSpeeder is block specific websites using its filtering option.

[Ande]

DnsSpeeder is a free program that accepts a client’s DNS request and looks up the IP addresses of the requested domain at its local cache. If the domain is found, the results are sent to the client. If not, the query is sent to a remote DNS server and the results returned to the client. Additionally, the new domain is added to the cache

I would think that might slow things down if you were using a very high speed (< 60ms) DNS server and had a decent size cache onboard.

I use DNS Jumper it will find you the fastest dns server available to you - but you can even add your own to the list. I run it every time I start browsing, to make sure I've got the fastest server working for me.

[safeguy]

@leofelix

Yes...spotted that too.

@Ande

You're missing the point here. I use DNS Jumper too for the matter and these 2 programs has different purposes and works well together. (I'm using both now)

DNS Jumper basically allows you to find the 'fastest', store the settings and 'jump' between DNS servers within a click, rather than dig in manually to the Network Connections and TCP/IP properties to change it each time.

DNSSpeeder doesn't change which DNS server you use - it will still 'respect' and 'abide by' the DNS server you've set to use (either manually or by DNS Jumper). Basically it goes like this:

DNS request ---
DNSSpeeder intercepts and check it's local cache; if found it uses it (rather than to check up the DNS server you've set) ----
If not found within the local cache, the DNS request is sent to the DNS server you've set (either manually or by DNS Jumper) ---
New results/domains returned to the DNSSpeeder client and added to the cache ---
Process repeats for each DNS request.

See now? It quickens things up...not slow it down.

[Ande]

@safeguy
But what is the lag from "DNSSpeeder intercepts and check it's local cache; if found it uses it (rather than to check up the DNS server you've set) ----" ? There is no way it can be insignificant if disk I/O/paging is involved.

[safeguy]

Lag? Here's the values:

I/O Reads - 367
I/O Writes - 352
Memory - 4388K

Pretty much insignificant except for memory usage (if you're using it on low spec machines that needs to all the juice it can get). Just think of it this way - your main purpose of using this is to 'quicken' DNS lookup...nothing else. As such, isn't it faster to get it from a local cache that exist on your PC rather than to get it from a remote DNS server? Even Windows does store DNS cache it by default on it's own - you can use command prompt to view it:

http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/dns/how-can-i-view-and-clear-my-dns-cache-content-.aspx

If you worry about such lags from using a program, then don't use it. It's not necessary to use this at all. I view this as more useful for those who clear that DNS cache stored by Windows often...or those who disabled the service.

[Ande]

If you worry about such lags from using a program, then don't use it. It's not necessary to use this at all. I view this as more useful for those who clear that DNS cache stored by Windows often...or those who disabled the service.

I use the HOSTS file for my frequent addresses - that way I avoid the whole issue.