DNS

DNS, or Domain Name System, is the mechanism by which a network device resolves a name like www.example.com to an IP address such as 198.51.100.25, or vice versa. Clients must have functional DNS if they are to reach other devices such as servers using their hostnames or fully qualified domain names.

DNS Resolver/Forwarder

These topics cover using pfSense® software as a caching DNS resolver or forwarder, which handles DNS requests from local clients. When acting as a resolver or forwarder, pfSense software will performs DNS resolution or hand off queries to an upstream DNS forwarding server.

• Configuring the DNS Resolver
• Configuring the DNS Forwarder
• Performing a DNS Lookup
• DNS Rebinding Protections
• Troubleshooting the DNS Forwarder

DNS Guides

How to perform various tasks related to DNS.

• Blocking DNS Queries to External Resolvers
• Redirecting all DNS Requests to pfSense
• Clearing the DNS Forwarder Cache
• Dig command on pfSense Software Version 2.2 and later
• Creating Wildcard Records in DNS Forwarder/Resolver

Dynamic DNS

Dynamic DNS will update an external DNS server with an interface IP address when it changes. This enables a firewall with a dynamic WAN such as DHCP or PPPoE to host public services even when its IP address changes periodically.

• Configuring Dynamic DNS
• RFC2136 Dynamic DNS
• Configuring IP Address Check Services for Dynamic DNS