DNS server?

[UserNotFound]

I have an AT&T DSL internet connection. I'm gonna call them tomorrow, but I thought I'd throw it out here 1st...On random occasions, I can't get online. I get messages like:

"DNS server not responding" or "DNS-bad configuration", etc...

Our 2 computers, both Dell desktops running Windows 10, are networked with a NETGEAR router that is about 9 yrs old... I can turn the router off and back on, and the problem is resolved; until the next random occurrence... It doesn't seem to matter what time of the day it is, or how many tabs I have open. Someone at work suggested that the router needs to be either updated or replaced with a new one. I have no idea how I would go about "updating" the router... I welcome any and all suggestions!

[Xipe Totec]

1. I'm not a fan of DSL (internet via phone lines)

Apart from providing low service bandwidth, DSL is prone to problems just like the ones you describe here.

If you have access to internet via cable switch to that service.

What they mean by "updating the router" is "buy a new one".

[DetlefK]

2. 9 years is too old. Hardware gets glitches after 10-15 years.

It's 9 years that you have been using the router. It might be even older. I had one that died at the tender age of 12 years.

Basically, the separate layers in diodes and transistors start mixing up via atomic diffusion as the electronic chip ages. About 10 years is an age at which many small hardware-defects start accumulating into noticable performance glitches.



Updating the router is done by logging into it: Type the IP of the router (see manual) into the internet-browser and a user-interface to the router should show up. Then enter username and password. (see manual) Then go through the options-menus until you find the option to start the automatic update.

[padfun]

3. If turning off then on works, then it's not them.

You should get a new router.

Nine years old is a bit past prime. I'm surprised it still works. He who pays the least, pays the most.

Also, on your router, use 1.1.1.1 as your DNS server. But that shouldnt preclude you from getting a new router. Google it for instructions.

[UserNotFound]

5. So...

You're saying that I bought a "cheap" router? Back in 2011, I think it was $139 at wally world... What would you suggest that I buy this next time?

[padfun]

8. Yes, Netgear is cheap.

Get a Surfboard router but a good one will run $180 - $240

[padfun]

9. Another thing

I probably shouldnt have assumed you wanted higher quality in a router. If you arent a gamer, then you probably dont need the more expensive ones.

One thing I look for is the speed. I like one that can handle 2.4 Ghz and 5.0. You can set this in the router but many older ones and cheap ones dont allow you to do both. 5.0 is faster but the distance will be shorter. A gamer wants as close to instantaneous as possible so we set it to 5.0 Ghz, however many home smart devices wont handle 5.0. So I pay more for one that handles both at the same time. You may not need this. If not, then you dont need to spend a lot like I do.

And I didnt mean to say your router was cheap but I've had major issues with NetGear in the past. But you got 9 years out of it so you did pretty good.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

4. Everything in the first 3 replies is correct.

Your router talks to your DSL modem and in the periodic handshaking is given the IP address of AT&T's DNS server. A DNS server translates www.democraticunderground.com into 35.175.60.16. The IP address is like a street address and zip code for the internet. DNS server addresses are changed now and then for service or maintenance. When your router powers up, part of the initialization is getting the DNS server address from your modem.

There are options here. You can manually configure your router to use a specific DNS server. You can also set a specific DNS server for you PC's network connection.

All that is not so interesting but the best advice is to get a new router. Your existing router is either losing the DNS server's address in its memory or messages are dropping when the address is updated.

Edit to add: If your DSL modem is also 9 years old it may be developing defects. It may be time to replace the modem as well. The recommendation to switch to cable or fiber is a quite sound.

Routers: Your router likely has a WAN port to connect to the DSL modem and 4 LAN ports for Ethernet devices (PCs, printers...). It probably also has WiFi 802.11n which is no longer the fastest option but if you don't really use WiFi, not a big deal. Perfectly good routers with newer faster WiFi are available on Amazon and Newegg for ~ $60 - 100.

[CaptainTruth]

6. I also have AT&T DSL. When I had similar problems a few years ago they replaced the router for free.

They sent out a technician with the new router. He ran speed & error tests, & error rates were too high. The AT&T box on the house (where the wires connect from the pole) was old & the terminals were corroded, so he replaced that for free too. After that, speed & error rates were great (or at least as good as possible with DSL).

Good luck!

[CloudWatcher]

7. It *might* not be your router

DNS lookups are a little complicated. Depending on how your environment has been configured, your DNS lookup requests could be going first to a DNS "server" process in any of ...

- your local router for it to try and respond
- an AT&T machine for it to try and respond
- a public DNS server for it to try and respond

And by "try and respond" I mean that the DNS server process will reply if it knows the answer, or it will ask another DNS server for the answer and forward the response to your computer when the answer comes back.

So for DNS to work, lots of other things need to work too. In particular:

- Your computer needs to be able to exchange requests/answers with which ever DNS server it's using
- That DNS server needs to be able to exchange requests/answers with the rest of the Internet

So my point is that if your DSL connection is bad, the errors you see might be full of "DNS not responding" ... even though a more appropriate error message would be that the DSL connection has failed. Your windows machine just knows its DNS lookups didn't work, it doesn't know why.

Note that power cycling your router doesn't just reset the software & hardware of the router. You're also hanging up and re-establishing the DSL connection between the router and AT&T.

Bottom line is that this might just be an issue with the quality of the DSL circuit with AT&T and not a fault of your router.

But ... yes, nine years is pretty old for a DSL modem. Even if there is a poor DSL circuit, a newer modem/router might help keep the circuit connected. And (depending on other factors) your local WiFi might be faster too.

AT&T "should" be able to tell if the circuit is bad or if you really need a new modem now.

[UserNotFound]

10. I appreciate all the feedback!

I'm going to check into the cable option this week. Also, I believe that AT&T offers "U-Verse" internet in our area, so that may be an option....