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I can't figure this out, and numerous calls to Comcast to get them to explain it to me have likewise proved fruitless.
I have a Netgear wireless router, and I'm using the software disc it came with to try and set up a network. It asks for an IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway, all of which it fills in by itself. What it does not fill in is the preferred DNS server option. And I have no idea what to put in. I tried using all the numbers it already filled in, I've checked online, and most people say it should automatically pick this, but it doesn't. It says it automatically detects a static IP address, but the support area of the local area connection says it is assigned by DHCP, which I thought would make it a dynamic address. Either way, the setup process will not let me proceed past this stage without filling in a number for the DNS Server, and nothing I've tried has worked.
posted
I have an issue where periodically I take my laptop somewhere, and when I come back I get at message saying I have a limited connection. I have to unplug my router to get it to reset, as I can't "fix" or repair the connection any other way.
Sometimes it happens to my PS3, and the only thing that works then is unplugging the router.
I bought a nice, internet ready HP printer, and I can't get it on the network at all. But my PS3 can see it. I've tried manually setting the IP address, I've tried the connection wizard.....I eventually gave up. I connected the printer to my desktop via a cable, and connect though the desktop.
It sucks. If I had wanted to do that I could have stayed with my other printer.
posted
The DNS is the "phonebook" that translates IP addresses into web addresses. There are a few cases when you might want to use a public DNS, rather than your ISP. Maybe your ISP's DNS is down frequently, whatever.
As long as the rest of your setup is fine, you can use a public DNS. I'd recommend Google's. Their primary DNS address is 8.8.8.8 and their secondary is 8.8.8.4
Now, if it STILL doesn't work, there's a problem with your gateway or your static routing.
Posts: 688 | Registered: Nov 2008
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I tried that. While my computer was still plugged directly into the modem I copied the DNS number and tried to plug it in where the setup menu asked me to. It wouldn't accept it.
Is using one of those DNS numbers going to in any way slow down/mess up my connection, or make my network unsafe/easier to hack?
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
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It shouldn't slow it down in any noticeable way. The DNS just translates the IP address to the web address when initially connecting to a page (and won't effect downloads). I haven't noticed any latency, and I usually use Google because they're more reliable than my ISP. Plus, they update sites more frequently than most smaller providers. If anything, their DNS servers might be a little faster (but I have a crummy ISP).
It won't be any easier / more difficult to hack.
Posts: 688 | Registered: Nov 2008
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It will, however, let Google associate nearly all of your browsing habits with whatever else they already know about you from using their services.
Which isn't necessarily a big deal, at least in relation to the rest of the privacy landscape.
Posts: 4287 | Registered: Mar 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Kwea: I have an issue where periodically I take my laptop somewhere, and when I come back I get at message saying I have a limited connection. I have to unplug my router to get it to reset, as I can't "fix" or repair the connection any other way.
Mine does this too, but I don't even necessarily have to take any of the laptops (we have 3) anywhere for it to happen. Just some days it'll be all "limited connectivity" when I turn one of the computers on and I have to go unplug the router again.
Posts: 262 | Registered: May 2004
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