Use DNS benchmark tools to optimize Domain Name Server Performance

Generally, the performance and timing problems of dns are caused by suspicious query results. In this case, no matter whether the dns is parsed or not, the consequences are the same.

What should we do for actual problems such as long response time, timeout errors, and invalid cache? After all, these types of query responses are still possible to pass. It only requires more time. In fact, in this case, the waste of bandwidth is the real key issue.

Now let's assume another situation: we must use a specific dns, for example, what Internet service providers provide. However, this is usually not the case. Now, are you sure you want to locate the problem? Try to use another dns server. Yes. The answer is absolutely correct. But which one should I choose?

The DNS benchmark tool is a client application used to test the performance of the dns domain name server. Their functions include:

Determine whether the specific dns server is available.

Compare the response time of the selected dns server.

Create a dns server ranking chart containing response time, number of timeouts, and other relevant parameters.

Google name tool and DNS benchmark tool are two representatives of dns benchmark applications. They all provide all the features I mentioned earlier in this article. In fact, they can do even more.

Google name tool

The name tool is a project developed by Google and can be used to find the dns domain name server with the fastest response speed for the current computer. It sounds strange, which means that two adjacent computers may have different results when performing the same operation. In fact, the name tool intentionally does this:

"Through the use history of Web browsers, the output results of TcpDump, the network data collection and analysis tool, and the standardized data set for reasonable and appropriate in-depth analysis, the name tool provides the best choice for individual users."

The following is the test settings window for running the name tool after it is started:

 

The first part is related to the dns server, mainly including:

Ø select Domain Name Server: add the selected Domain Name Server to the Follow list.

Whether the domain name includes global dns providers. If this box is selected, the Opendns and Zhongli Star (original Ultradns) domain name servers will be included.

Whether to include the best local dns Service: If this box is selected, the best dns server in this region will be included.

Next, we will answer questions related to the test and how to set the query:

Include review list: the name tool has a list of detected website host names. After this option is selected, the name tool will request these hosts and confirm the results to see if they match the expected situation.

Selection of the benchmark data source: select and confirm the name of the host participating in the test. Generally, it is based on the personal history of the user's browser, but it also contains other options such as "two thousand large websites.

Select the host survival detection method: This option can be used to set the number of DNS servers that the tool can access at the same time point for host survival detection. In general, you can select the fast mode (40 servers ). If there is a problem with the Internet connection, you can also select the slow mode (10 servers ).

Ø request quantity setting: This option can be used to set the number of test requests sent to a dns server each time. The more tests you select, the more results you will see the actual usage. By default, the number of requests sent to each server is 250.

The final test result is displayed on a page similar to the following:

 

I currently use Opendns. Based on the test results of the name tool, my backup dns server (208.67.220.220) has the best response time. This result is very interesting, because the Opendns master server ranks only sixth. I think I will switch the positions of the two in the network adapter configuration.