How to get started
|
The first step after installing Simple DNS Plus is to configure the computers on the local network (including the one it is installed on) to use the now local DNS server instead of the ISP's DNS server.
This is done under the computer's Network TCP/IP properties by assigning the IP address of the computer running Simple DNS Plus as the DNS server.
The exact setup is slightly different for each Windows version - illustrations are provided at http://www.simpledns.com/tutor/config_win.asp
Local computers (except the one running Simple DNS Plus) can also be configured automatically using the DHCP function.
We also recommend disabling the "DNS Client" service on any local computer running Windows 2000, XP, or 2003 including the computer with Simple DNS Plus. See http://www.simpledns.com/tutor/dnsclientsvc.asp
Next make sure Simple DNS Plus is running, and test the configuration by opening a web-page such as www.simpledns.com.
To ensure that you are not getting a copy cached by the browser, first empty out the browser cache (delete "Temporary Internet Files") and close all instances of the browser.
And if you are using Windows 2000, XP, or 2003 and still have the "DNS Client" service running, type "IPCONFIG /flushdns" at a command prompt to ensure that no DNS data is cached by this service.
If you got to the web-site, everything is now working correctly.
You should also be seeing some activity in Simple DNS Plus (performance graph or the request counter on the status bar).
If you are new to DNS, it might be helpful to examine the log files to get an idea how DNS requests are processed.
This initial setup (without hosting any domain names) is often referred to as a "caching only DNS server".
If you run Simple DNS Plus for a while, you should begin to notice an improvement in the time it takes to access web-pages - especially when you return to one you have visited previously.
This is caching - your computers no longer have to access an external DNS server every time you open a web-page.
Next step is to start hosting your own domain names.