What is Open DNS and how to setup Open DNS server for home Router..?

As all of you guys are well known about DNS and its working mechanism. If not, DNS stands for Domain Name System and just imagine it’s a huge phonebook that contains all websites IP. The job of the DNS is to translates every queries of the human-readable website addresses (www.google.com) to browser-readable IP (216.239.51.99), so that the internet browser knows where to fetch the data from.

OpenDNS is the leading DNS provider that offers free premium DNS service to everyone instead of the default ISP DNS. It’s a relatively reliable DNS and its users have reached 1% of the total world’s internet users. Meantime, the number is counting strong due to its reputable creditability.Reputation is based on the practical advantages delivered, and this applies to OpenDNS too. It’s suffice to say that the OpenDNS is one of the best, and even to the extent of cream of the crop.

• It’s domain servers for you to use are 208.67.222.222, and 208.67.220.220
• It has servers in Amsterdam, Chicago, Dallas, London, LA, Miami, New York, Palo Alto, Seattle, and Washington.
• OpenDNS is currently serving 35 Billion DNS requests per day.

Pros: 

1.  With servers all around the world it allows your DNS to resolve faster, and if one goes down, another will work for you.
2. It has phishing protection so you are protected from fake websites.
3. You can block websites individually or by one of the 40+ filters.
4. Much more reliable then your ISP.
5. If another OpenDNS user visited a website, but now its offline, if you have smart cache enabled it will continue to resolve (assuming it’s a dns issue).
6. Parental Control; The parents’ worry of the children might get access to inappropriate information is understandable, as Internet is really a huge hub of information and is a piece of cake to access. OpenDNS will take care of all the parent worries and provides one-stop solution for them to monitor their children activity on the internet, not only at individual computer, but the entire home network.
7. Many high end company’s, schools, and governments are using the service daily.Has plans (paid) for Enterprises.
8.  Its free basic service is only lacking faster customer support, and larger website blocking features.
9. Websites can be voted by the users with category’s so that websites can be blocked if they are 18+, have ad ware, are gaming, or are high network load.Stats (Charts, requests, domains, blocked, etc).
10. Has an application to deal with dynamic IP’s.
11.  Hasn’t ever completely gone down in its 4 years.

After familiar with OpenDNS concept lets dive to its configuration section.

Using OpenDNS starts by making a configuration change in the DNS settings of your home router, on individual computers, and wireless devices. Once OpenDNS is configured, administrators set and manage OpenDNS’s advanced features, such as Web content filtering and security, by logging in to their OpenDNS account.

Configuration Instruction: 
First go to the CISCO Open DNS and signup and create a new account by choosing one of the option below.After account creation, you will be shown a screen that asks you to choose whether you would like to change the DNS settings on Home routers, Computer Workstations and Laptops, Servers, and Smart Devices. If you are unsure which option to choose, i usually recommend that home users configure their router.  Your router or modem acts as a gateway between all the computers and devices on your network. If you change the DNS settings on your router, any device obtaining its DNS settings from the router will be using OpenDNS. 

Once account has been created go to OpenDNS Dashboard and Add a network as shown below. Adding a network to your OpenDNS dashboard allows you to use your custom content filtering and stats features.  Click on the Add a network box to get started:

Once you click Add a network you will get the below screen which asks you to add an IP address.  You should add your current external (public) IP address that is assigned to you by your internet service provider as your network. As you are on home network you will see your current IP address displayed at the top of your dashboard where it says Your current IP is.  Use that IP address for your dashboard network.


Next you will get a screen that asks you for a network name and whether or not you have a Dynamic IP address.Most internet service providers lease dynamic IP addresses which means that your IP address can change.  In order to prevent gaps in your stats and filtering i recommend you download the OpenDNS Updater and logo in to it which will automatically changed Dynammic IP Address.


After you add your network you will see the screen below.  Time to check your email to verify your IP address!


Now go to your router and  setup the ip address of the Open DNS server as below. I think it is  known to all of you that how to change DNS setting on home router.





Great! Your Open DNS for a home router has been successfully created. Now it time to configure content filtering setting.

After you have added a network, content filtering can be configured in the Settings tab.  Click on the Settings tab and choose the network you added from the Settings for: drop down to open the Web Content Filtering menu for this network.  In the Choose your filtering level settings you can choose from one of the levels that are pre-set or chose Custom to select the categories you would like to filter on your network.

You can also manage individual domains to customize your filtering settings.  For example, if you choose to block the Lingerie/Bikini category but would still like to shop at victoriassecret.com you can add victoriassecret.com to your Never Block list which will allow access to victoriassecret.com while blocking all other domains in that category. 

 

 There are lots web content filtering and security option available. you can choose whatever you live also you can manage individual domain. Please first read carefully and apply the setting.

There are lots of features and setting available as  compared to Paid Hardware Firewall but its totally free. If you want to configure Open DNS for enterprise level (Eg. Small Office) you can use but you have to pay certain amount please go to OpenDNS internet security Plan  for billing and more information.

I hope you are able to setup OpenDNS setup for your home router and enjoying with it. If you have any question or confusion please feel free to write comment or Email me.