DNS Check ....... namebench

[Was_Just19]

For those users who have thoughts about the best DNS server for their locality, there is a nice app in the repository, called  namebench  which will check lots of DNS servers, including the ones currently set on your PC, and report back which is the fastest for your location.

Having run it here, while using the OpenDNS server, it reported back that Google's 8.8.8.8 is the fastest of those available to me .....  57% faster than OpenDNS, and some 41% faster than my ISP DNS.

It also gave a recommended set up of three DNS IPs .......  Google and two from my ISP.

It does seem to be a rather cool app, but I also wonder if it is biased in any way .....

Try it!

[pirate]

I ran namebench, while using the OpenDNS server, it reported back that Google's 8.8.8.8 is the fastest of those available to me .....  38% faster than OpenDNS, and some 37% faster than my ISP DNS.

I will try Google's 8.8.8.8 and see...

[Was_Just19]

I ran namebench, while using the OpenDNS server, it reported back that Google's 8.8.8.8 is the fastest of those available to me .....  38% faster than OpenDNS, and some 37% faster than my ISP DNS.

I will try Google's 8.8.8.8 and see...

Give it another run after a few hours and see if the result is consistent.

[pirate]

I ran namebench again today, while using the OpenDNS server, it reported back that Google's 8.8.8.8 is the fastest of those available to me .....  50% faster than OpenDNS, and some 47% faster than my ISP DNS.

[AndrzejL]

Steve Gibson from Grc.com says in the SecurityNow 274 episode (which was recorded last night) that his (finally finished) DNS Benchmark Tool was made to be FULLY wine compatible  Tiny app. Huge amount of features. Check it.

Just tested it. Works great with older freebie Crossover (got it during Xmas 2 or 3 years ago) which is featured with wine 1.x.

For more details listen to the podcast. Its an hour and eleven minutes long (including ads and security updates).

Regards.

Andy

P.S. Its not installing anything. Fire up exe and it works without installation.

[Was_Just19]

'ah dunt drunk no wyne'


 

[AndrzejL]

'ah dunt drunk no wyne'


 

Sorry Paddy but there ain't no Windows emulator called "Stout" or "Whiskey" ! LOL ! Sorry - couldn't help it .

Andy

[AndrzejL]

Oh man... Did You knew that NameBench was / is one of the Google projects?

"ah dunt do no stinkin gugle"

Andy

[smcs_steve]

Tried namebench from Australia>





As you can see Google rates low here.....   don't trust them anyway!
>Steve

[Xenaflux]

have done only one test
will do another 3 today

Thailand-Pathumthani ( next to Bangkok )
Google rates low here too ( 37 % lower than local one )

[uncleV]

Thanks for the tip, Just19!

namebench showed here one of the "SYS" DNS to be the fastest. It's hold by my ISP.

Google DNS is the first after all local DNS in my country.

 

[muungwana]

i tried that app from grc website under wine and it worked.

OpenDNS came first and second while google DNS came third but the result said the difference in speed btw them is statistically insignificant. I am already using OpenDNS so i guess i am good

[johnmart]

I tried namebench from a recommendation on a different thread.
Worked great for me. Found dns server 14% faster than google & in my country.
Hope it gets noticed! 

[The Chief]

i tried that app from grc website under wine and it worked.

OpenDNS came first and second while google DNS came third but the result said the difference in speed btw them is statistically insignificant. I am already using OpenDNS so i guess i am good

It tells me Level 3 is the fastest (4.2.2.6 and 4.2.2.1)..  I'm in northwest Georgia, USA.

[MtnMan]

I tried this and it reports that 204.186.0.203 (dns3.ptd.net) is 132.6% faster than my current server 216.144.187.37 (dns.sth.ptd.net).  Can someone please explain how I make the change to use the recommended configuration.  Any details greatly appreciated.  

Is it best to make the change in router setup - currently set to get DNS automatically from ISP.  Should I change to "Use these DNS servers" and enter primary and secondary IP addresses there?  How would you test to see results improvement?  Speedtest.net shows download speed at advertised rate  - is there another way to see speed differences from changing DNS?  Will it find or resolve the address faster?

Edit: While waiting for advice I think I answered my own questions (probably incorrectly).  Changed the router setting as suggested by the first test and subsequent tests show a few interesting things;

The primary doesn't change.
The ones listed as backup all have PTD in the name - so far I have seen 3 of them.
The results are inconsistent.

I use cable for internet and maybe have no control over this.  Still have a lot to learn and any insights welcome.