Introduction
Greetings, tech enthusiasts! If you’re looking to learn how to change your DNS server on Ubuntu through the command line, you’ve come to the right place. DNS (Domain Name System) is a crucial component of the internet that translates domain names into IP addresses. By changing your DNS server, you can improve your internet speed, security, and privacy. In this article, we’ll guide you through the step-by-step process of changing your DNS server on Ubuntu using the command line.
Before we proceed, let’s first understand the basics of DNS and why changing your DNS server matters.
What is DNS?
DNS is responsible for translating domain names into IP addresses. When you type a website’s domain name into your browser, your computer sends a request to a DNS server to resolve that domain name into an IP address. The IP address is what your computer uses to connect to the website’s server and load the web page.
Why Change Your DNS Server?
By default, your computer uses your internet service provider’s (ISP) DNS server. However, there are several reasons why you might want to change your DNS server:
- Improved internet speed: Some DNS servers are faster than others, which can improve your internet speed.
- Enhanced security: Some DNS servers offer additional security features, such as blocking known malicious websites.
- Bypassing censorship: Some DNS servers can help you bypass internet censorship by resolving domain names that are otherwise blocked.
- Better privacy: Some DNS servers don’t log your DNS requests, providing better privacy than your ISP’s DNS server.
How to Change Your DNS Server on Ubuntu Using Command Line?
Now that you understand the importance of changing your DNS server let’s dive into the step-by-step process of changing your DNS server on Ubuntu using the command line.
How to Change Your DNS Server on Ubuntu using Command Line?
Step 1: Check Your Current DNS Server
Before changing your DNS server, you need to know your current DNS server. Open your terminal and enter the following command:
Command |
Description |
|---|---|
systemd-resolve –status | grep -i ‘DNS Servers’ |
Displays your current DNS server. |
Make a note of your current DNS server before proceeding to the next step.
Step 2: Edit Your Network Configuration File
Next, you need to edit your network configuration file to change your DNS server. Open your terminal and enter the following command:
Command |
Description |
|---|---|
sudo nano /etc/netplan/00-installer-config.yaml |
Opens the network configuration file in your text editor. |
Locate the following lines in the file:
| nameservers: | addresses: [your current DNS server] |
Replace “your current DNS server” with the IP address of your desired DNS server. If you want to use multiple DNS servers, separate the IP addresses with commas.
Save and close the file by pressing CTRL+X, then Y, then ENTER.
Step 3: Apply Your Network Configuration Changes
Finally, you need to apply your network configuration changes. Open your terminal and enter the following command:
Command |
Description |
|---|---|
sudo netplan apply |
Applies your network configuration changes. |
Your DNS server has now been changed. You can verify your new DNS server by entering the following command:
Command |
Description |
|---|---|
systemd-resolve –status | grep -i ‘DNS Servers’ |
Displays your new DNS server. |
Advantages and Disadvantages of Changing Your DNS Server on Ubuntu
Advantages
Changing your DNS server can provide the following advantages:
- Improved internet speed through faster DNS resolution.
- Enhanced security by using DNS servers that block known malicious websites.
- Bypassing internet censorship by using DNS servers that resolve blocked domain names.
- Better privacy by using DNS servers that don’t log your DNS requests.
Disadvantages
Changing your DNS server can also have the following disadvantages:
- Incompatibility issues with certain websites or services that rely on your ISP’s DNS server.
- Security vulnerabilities by using DNS servers that are not properly secured.
- Inaccurate or slow DNS resolution by using unreliable DNS servers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I know which DNS server to use?
You can use publicly available DNS servers like Google DNS (8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4), Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1 or 1.0.0.1), or OpenDNS (208.67.222.222 or 208.67.220.220). Alternatively, you can use DNS benchmarking tools to find the fastest DNS server for your location.
2. What if I want to revert to my ISP’s DNS server?
You can edit your network configuration file again and replace your custom DNS server with your ISP’s DNS server.
3. Can I use multiple DNS servers?
Yes, you can use multiple DNS servers by separating their IP addresses with commas in your network configuration file.
4. Will changing my DNS server affect my internet speed?
Changing your DNS server can improve your internet speed if you switch to a faster DNS server. However, if you switch to an unreliable or slow DNS server, it can negatively impact your internet speed.
5. Do I need to restart my computer after changing my DNS server?
No, you don’t need to restart your computer. Applying your network configuration changes using the “sudo netplan apply” command is enough.
6. Is changing my DNS server safe?
Yes, changing your DNS server is generally safe. However, you should only use reputable DNS servers that are properly secured to avoid security vulnerabilities.
7. Can changing my DNS server bypass internet censorship?
Yes, some DNS servers can help you bypass internet censorship by resolving domain names that are otherwise blocked. However, this may not work in all cases.
8. Will changing my DNS server improve my privacy?
Yes, some DNS servers don’t log your DNS requests, providing better privacy than your ISP’s DNS server.
9. Can I change my DNS server on other operating systems?
Yes, you can change your DNS server on other operating systems using similar methods.
10. Can I use DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) or DNS-over-TLS (DoT) on Ubuntu?
Yes, Ubuntu supports both DoH and DoT. However, you need to configure them separately.
11. Can I use a local DNS server on Ubuntu?
Yes, you can use a local DNS server like BIND on Ubuntu.
12. Why is DNS resolution important for my internet speed?
DNS resolution can be a bottleneck for your internet speed if your DNS server is slow. By using a faster DNS server, you can improve your internet speed.
13. How do I troubleshoot DNS server issues on Ubuntu?
You can troubleshoot DNS server issues on Ubuntu by checking your network configuration file, restarting your networking service, testing your DNS server with dig or nslookup commands, or seeking help from the Ubuntu community.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve successfully learned how to change your DNS server on Ubuntu using the command line. By changing your DNS server, you can improve your internet speed, security, and privacy. However, changing your DNS server also has potential disadvantages, so choose your DNS server wisely. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Liked the article? Share it with your friends and family!
Closing
Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes and not as professional advice. Changing your DNS server can have potential risks, so proceed at your own risk. We are not responsible for any damages or issues that may arise from changing your DNS server. Always use reputable DNS servers that are properly secured and informed decisions.