Changing the default dns server

Question

I have edited the file /etc/resolv.conf and added the nameserver of the google public dns.  How can i verify if google dns are used?

Answer 1

Install dnsutils.
[bill@Jeremiah ~]$ pacman -Ss dnsutils
core/dnsutils 9.9.2.P1-1 [installed]
DNS utilities: dig host nslookup
[bill@Jeremiah ~]$ dig www.google.ca
; <<>> DiG 9.9.2-P1 <<>> www.google.ca
;; global options: +cmd
;; Got answer:
;; ->>HEADER<<- opcode: QUERY, status: NOERROR, id: 43374
;; flags: qr rd ra; QUERY: 1, ANSWER: 1, AUTHORITY: 0, ADDITIONAL: 1
;; OPT PSEUDOSECTION:
; EDNS: version: 0, flags:; udp: 512
;; QUESTION SECTION:
;www.google.ca. IN A
;; ANSWER SECTION:
www.google.ca. 300 IN A 173.194.75.94
;; Query time: 74 msec
;; SERVER: 8.8.8.8#53(8.8.8.8)
;; WHEN: Fri Feb 1 14:03:13 2013
;; MSG SIZE rcvd: 58
This is the output of my machine which is set to use Google DNS.  Notice the "SERVER" part: 8.8.8.8 which is Google DNS.
Also, once you've edited resolv.conf then a reboot may overwrite your settings.
Put:
nameserver 8.8.8.8
nameserver 8.8.4.4
In it for Google DNS, THEN:
sudo chattr +i resolv.conf
To make it immutable so no other program can overwrite (change) the file.  If you ever want the file to be changeable again "chattr -i resolv.conf"
Last edited by headkase (2013-02-01 17:41:22)