Google DNS Server

ID:181679
 
Dec 3 2009, 3:07 pm
Has anyone tried using the google public DNS yet? I set it up a few minutes ago and a lot of the lag I usually see loading posts on BYOND's forum with comcast's provided DNS servers seems to be gone.
Dec 3 2009, 3:12 pm
I might be misunderstanding this, and if I am please correct me, but Google has an ISP now?
Dec 3 2009, 3:44 pm
In response to Moonlight Memento
No, what they are providing is a DNS server, they are not providing an IP address for you, or bandwidth.

DNS servers interpret domain names in IP addresses and allows your browser to access a website without already knowing what IP address its trying to connect to for content.
Dec 3 2009, 4:00 pm
In response to Jotdaniel
I see. My bad for the misunderstanding.
Although it does beg the question, with how rich Google is now, why haven't they made an ISP?
Dec 3 2009, 4:14 pm
In response to Moonlight Memento
Well, to be clear, Google's status as an ISP is already fuzzy.

In some areas, such as Palo Alto, CA, they actually are an ISP and do provide Internet access to the public.

However, in a far larger number of locations, Google provides an Internet traffic transport layer using fiber that they have bought. They do not provide this directly to consumers, but rather to local ISPs, whose costs are reduced by relying partially on Google's infrastructure to serve HD videos and other high-bandwidth content (especially from Google properties like YouTube).

As demand for streaming video rises, you can see how Google will continue to play an ever-greater role in serving your Internet traffic; and you pay for it, whether or not Google bills you directly.
Dec 4 2009, 7:52 am
I haven't tried it yet, but benchmarks show really good improvements even over other 3rd party DNS providers such as OpenDNS. If you would like to benchmark it yourself, try out Steve Gibson's DNS Benchmark Tool. Try Google and Comcast's DNS and see how they stack up.