Get your Ubuntu 14.04 Running with a Fast and Reliable DNS Server
Welcome to our guide on Ubuntu 14.04 Set DNS Server! We know that DNS is a critical part of the internet infrastructure. The Domain Name System (DNS) translates domain names into IP addresses that computers can understand. Without DNS, we would need to memorize IP addresses to access websites. In this article, we will show you how to set up your DNS server on Ubuntu 14.04. With this guide, you can have a faster and more reliable DNS server that will speed up your internet browsing experience.
What is DNS?
The Domain Name System (DNS) is a hierarchical and decentralized naming system that translates domain names into IP addresses. DNS is used to locate various resources on the internet like websites, emails, and other services. It works like a phone book that translates names into numbers. When you enter a website address in your browser, like www.example.com, DNS translates this into a numerical IP address like 93.184.216.34.
How Does DNS Work?
When you enter a website address in your browser, the computer sends a DNS query to a DNS resolver to resolve the domain name to an IP address. The resolver searches for the IP address in its cache; if it is not found, it queries the Root servers. The Root servers point to the Top Level Domain (TLD) servers, which point to the authoritative DNS servers. The authoritative DNS servers hold the information about the domain and return the IP address to the DNS resolver. The resolver then caches the IP address and returns it to the browser.
Why Change DNS Servers?
Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) provides a DNS server by default. They are usually slow and can cause delays in accessing websites. Sometimes, the DNS server can also be unreliable, causing issues like slow internet speeds, not being able to access certain websites, and more. By changing to a faster and more reliable DNS server, you can improve your internet speed and browsing experience.
Before You Begin
Before starting, ensure that you have root or sudo user privileges on your Ubuntu 14.04 system. You will also need to have a basic understanding of the Terminal (command-line interface).
Step 1: Install Bind9 DNS Server
The first step is to install the Bind9 DNS server. Bind9 is a popular open-source DNS server that is widely used. You can install it by running the following command in the Terminal:
Command |
Description |
|---|---|
sudo apt-get update |
Updates the package list on your Ubuntu 14.04 system. |
sudo apt-get install bind9 |
Installs the Bind9 DNS server on your Ubuntu 14.04 system. |
Step 2: Configure the Bind9 DNS Server
After installing the Bind9 DNS server, you need to configure it to work properly. Here are the steps to configure the DNS server:
Step 2.1: Configure the Bind9 Configuration File
The first step is to modify the Bind9 configuration file. The configuration file is located at /etc/bind/named.conf.options. Open the file using your favorite text editor:
Command |
Description |
|---|---|
sudo nano /etc/bind/named.conf.options |
Opens the Bind9 configuration file named.conf.options in the Nano editor. |
Update the file with the following settings:
Step 2.2: Define DNS Forwarders
The next step is to define DNS forwarders to improve the DNS resolution process. DNS forwarders forward DNS queries to other DNS servers if the current DNS server is unable to resolve the query. Here are the steps to define DNS forwarders:
Step 2.3: Define DNS Zones
The next step is to define DNS zones for your domain names. A DNS zone is a part of the domain name space that is administered by a single organization. Here are the steps to define DNS zones:
Step 2.4: Create DNS Zone Files
The next step is to create DNS zone files for each of your DNS zones. A DNS zone file contains the records for a specific DNS zone. Here are the steps to create DNS zone files:
Step 3: Start and Enable the Bind9 Service
After configuring the Bind9 DNS server, you need to start and enable the service to start at boot time. You can do this using the following commands:
Command |
Description |
|---|---|
sudo systemctl start bind9 |
Starts the Bind9 DNS server. |
sudo systemctl enable bind9 |
Enables the Bind9 DNS server to start at boot time. |
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Ubuntu 14.04 Set DNS Server
Advantages
Ubuntu 14.04 Set DNS Server has several advantages:
Disadvantages
Ubuntu 14.04 Set DNS Server also has some disadvantages:
FAQs
Q1. What is a DNS server?
A DNS server is a computer server that provides Domain Name System (DNS) services to other devices on a network.
Q2. What is Ubuntu 14.04?
Ubuntu 14.04 is a long-term support (LTS) release of the Ubuntu operating system that was released in April 2014. It is supported until April 2019.
Q3. What is Bind9?
Bind9 is an open-source implementation of the DNS protocol that is widely used as a DNS server.
Q4. How do I install Bind9 on Ubuntu 14.04?
You can install Bind9 on Ubuntu 14.04 by running the following command in the Terminal:sudo apt-get install bind9
Q5. How do I configure Bind9 on Ubuntu 14.04?
You can configure Bind9 on Ubuntu 14.04 by modifying the Bind9 configuration file located at /etc/bind/named.conf.options. You can define DNS forwarders, DNS zones, and create DNS zone files to configure Bind9.
Q6. How do I start and enable the Bind9 service on Ubuntu 14.04?
You can start and enable the Bind9 service on Ubuntu 14.04 by running the following commands in the Terminal:sudo systemctl start bind9sudo systemctl enable bind9
Q7. What are the advantages of using Ubuntu 14.04 Set DNS Server?
Ubuntu 14.04 Set DNS Server has several advantages, including faster and more reliable DNS resolution, improved internet speed, and a better browsing experience.
Q8. What are the disadvantages of using Ubuntu 14.04 Set DNS Server?
Ubuntu 14.04 Set DNS Server also has some disadvantages, including the need for knowledge of the Terminal (command-line interface) and the potential for misconfiguration.
Q9. Can I use other DNS servers besides Bind9 on Ubuntu 14.04?
Yes, you can use other DNS servers besides Bind9 on Ubuntu 14.04. Some popular DNS servers include Google DNS, OpenDNS, and Cloudflare DNS.
Q10. How do I check if Bind9 is running on Ubuntu 14.04?
You can check if Bind9 is running on Ubuntu 14.04 by running the following command in the Terminal:sudo systemctl status bind9
Q11. How do I stop the Bind9 service on Ubuntu 14.04?
You can stop the Bind9 service on Ubuntu 14.04 by running the following command in the Terminal:sudo systemctl stop bind9
Q12. What are DNS zones?
DNS zones are parts of the domain name space that are administered by a single organization.
Q13. What are DNS zone files?
DNS zone files contain the records for a specific DNS zone.
Conclusion
In conclusion, setting up your DNS server on Ubuntu 14.04 can improve your internet speed and browsing experience. With a faster and more reliable DNS server, you can have a smooth and seamless internet experience. With our guide, you can set up your DNS server on Ubuntu 14.04 with ease. We hope this article has been helpful to you and encourage you to give it a try.
Closing Disclaimer
The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. The authors and publishers of this article do not warrant the correctness, completeness, or usefulness of the information presented herein. The use of this information is solely at the reader’s own risk.