DNS changing

[opusthe2nd]

Snow Leopard

I set DNS settings for OpenDNS. I never, ever want the DNS to change from that. How do I make this work? Every now and again, maybe on a different wireless network, the DNS will change. I never want the DNS to be anything other than what I set it at.

 

[skottichan]

Snow Leopard

I set DNS settings for OpenDNS. I never, ever want the DNS to change from that. How do I make this work? Every now and again, maybe on a different wireless network, the DNS will change. I never want the DNS to be anything other than what I set it at.

If a location is changing your DNS servers, be glad it is. I've had to suffer through the frustration of trying to figure out why my dual-booting MBP will connect to WiFi through Windows but not OS X at certain locations, only to realize after 20-30 minutes of hair-pulling-out that removing the OpenDNS settings from my OS X side resolves the problem instantly. Some places will let you get away with using OpenDNS. Others are very particular about whose DNS servers you get to use while on their network. If they want you on those servers, use those servers.

 

[opusthe2nd]

Nope, not acceptable. OpenDNS is used for content filtering, which is much needed for this particular client. The way it stands now, everytime it happens I have to log in from here and change it back for him. I want it to stick. OpenDNS has always worked, once I change it back. DNS is DNS, why should it matter who you use. Mind you, if in the end, it is set in the router, I guess you are stuck with it. I dont want anything to change it on the machine itself....without my intervention.

 

[r0n1n]

Do you have a dynamic ip address? If you do (or, if you're constantly using different wireless networks), you should be using the openDNS updater.

You can download the openDNS updater here: http://www.opendns.com/support/

Edit.

I just reread you're last post, saying that you don't want anything changing it on the machine. So, ignore the openDNS updater suggestion.

 

[opusthe2nd]

The updater is on the machine. Every now and again though, for some reason, a network will change the DNS. I dont understand why anything aside from manual intervention, would change the DNS.

 

[aristobrat]

System Preferences > Network > Airport > Advanced > DNS

Try adding a server with the + button.

On my Mac, that lets me override the DNS server that the DHCP server sets.

However, if your client ever visits a network that blocks external DNS (a lot of work networks do that), that's going to prevent the Mac from working on that particular network.

 

[opusthe2nd]

And thats how I do it. Just now and again, the DNS filter stops working and I have to log in from here and add the DNS IP's again. I would think that nothing should be allowed to change anything within the OS. Now Windows.....thats a different story.

 

[r0n1n]

The updater is on the machine. Every now and again though, for some reason, a network will change the DNS. I dont understand why anything aside from manual intervention, would change the DNS.

And thats how I do it. Just now and again, the DNS filter stops working and I have to log in from here and add the DNS IP's again. I would think that nothing should be allowed to change anything within the OS. Now Windows.....thats a different story.

Well, I'm out of ideas. You might be better off opening a support ticket with OpenDNS.

http://www.opendns.com/support/contact/

 

[aristobrat]

When you login to reset them, does the DNS screen show your static entry, or a DHCP assigned different one?

 

[opusthe2nd]

When you login to reset them, does the DNS screen show your static entry, or a DHCP assigned different one?

It shows whatever the network changed it to. Its not a number that I put in.

 

[aristobrat]

I'd wonder if OS X would be smart enough to drop your pre-defined one if that wireless network blocked it (and instead go with the DHCP assigned one), but if you remote in while on that particular network and change it back and it works, I guess it's not blocked. Weird.

 

[aristobrat]

Check out the additional info part of this article:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4030

Not sure it applies, but it's interesting.

 

[skottichan]

I'd wonder if OS X would be smart enough to drop your pre-defined one if that wireless network blocked it (and instead go with the DHCP assigned one), but if you remote in while on that particular network and change it back and it works, I guess it's not blocked. Weird.

I'd be thrilled if they do have this; I haven't tried it in a while because I've learned where ODNS won't work and manually nuke it before I go there.