Name lookups in linux vs windows

**Replicon** · 03-22-2008 07:08 PM

I don't know if anyone here can help, but there are a few knowledgeable types :-)

I've noticed (not just now, but also with past linux installs) that my name lookups in linux are always way slower than those in windows. After some research, I went through the steps to disable IPv6, and it's made a small difference. However, I still see an excessive amount of "Looking up www.google.com..." in my browser status bar. This shouldn't happen.

Why is this? I can't blame my ISP's name servers because it works great in windows. I'd like to not blame my router, because both my windows and linux box are using it as their gateway, so presumably, performance should be the exact same. So, maybe it's still my ubuntu box. I have disabled IPv6 in the modprobe aliases file the way I was supposed to, and also did it in firefox, but still no dice.

The next thing for me to try is to give OpenDNS a chance and see if it's any better. But, I can't help but think that the problem is just that my own box doesn't properly handle caching.

Oh yeah speaking of which: NSCD wasn't installed, so I installed it, and when I checked the config, I noticed this:

Code:

# hosts caching is broken with gethostby* calls, hence is now disabled
# per default.  See /usr/share/doc/nscd/NEWS.Debian.
        enable-cache            hosts           no

Aha! Is there a non-broken caching mechanism that is solid? If so, why doesn't it come standard with Gutsy?

**Ynot** · 03-22-2008 07:40 PM

can you do

Code:

cat /etc/resolv.conf

and post the output

**Replicon** · 03-22-2008 08:22 PM

Code:

# generated by NetworkManager, do not edit!



nameserver 192.168.0.1

Like I said - talks to it through my router, which is a DLink.

My windows settings are all "automatically detect" so presumably, it should be going through the same method.

**Ynot** · 03-22-2008 08:54 PM

well,
I'm inclined to say it's a problem with your ISP's nameservers
but windows doesn't have any issues

if you're using DHCP (and not a static IP)
your router should pass on your ISP's DNS info to ubuntu

quick fix,
dig through your routers setup
you should be able to find the primary & secondary DNS addresses used by your ISP
(probably in some sort of status page)
note these down

then,

Code:

sudo network-admin

under DNS,
delete your router's IP
Add the 2 nameservers you noted down

**Replicon** · 03-23-2008 02:20 AM

Hmmm... oddly, the DNS values in my router are both set to 0.0.0.0 - never noticed this before, since it has always just worked. I can't seem to find that info when I log into my cable modem directly. That probably means that it's the same as my gateway.

**Ynot** · 03-23-2008 02:54 AM

Ah,
that's the problem

Your DNS comes from somewhere,
just not your router (it seems)
and your router will only delegate the DNS request once it times out

**Replicon** · 03-23-2008 04:57 AM

Ok. I'll call them up and ask for the numbers when I get the chance. Hopefully adding them to my router will fix things. Thanks!

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