
- by x32x01 ||
The Domain Name System (DNS) converts human-friendly website names like
This guide walks you through setting up a DNS server on a Raspberry Pi using DNSMasq, a lightweight yet powerful DNS tool.
Before you start, make sure you have the following:
Always start by updating your Raspberry Pi to ensure all dependencies are current.
Wait for the process to finish before moving on.
Install DNSMasq, a lightweight DNS forwarder perfect for small home or office networks:
DNSMasq will handle DNS queries and cache results for faster access. 
Now it’s time to configure DNSMasq to optimize your Pi’s DNS performance.
Now let’s test if your Raspberry Pi DNS server is working correctly.
If “dig” is not found, install it:
Finally, you’ll point your other devices to the Raspberry Pi DNS server.

By configuring a Raspberry Pi as a DNS server, you’re not just improving speed - you’re enhancing efficiency, reducing bandwidth usage, and even gaining more control over your local network.
With DNSMasq, you get a lightweight, powerful, and reliable DNS caching solution that makes your Internet experience smoother than ever.

www.example.com
into IP addresses that computers use to connect. Think of it as the Internet’s phonebook. By turning your Raspberry Pi into a DNS server, you can reduce lookup times, increase speed, and gain better control over your network.This guide walks you through setting up a DNS server on a Raspberry Pi using DNSMasq, a lightweight yet powerful DNS tool.

Prerequisites
Before you start, make sure you have the following:- Raspberry Pi 2, 3, or 4 running Raspbian OS with a static IP address
- Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi connection
- Power supply
- MicroSD card
- Terminal access (directly or via SSH) with sudo privileges
Step 1: Update Packages
Always start by updating your Raspberry Pi to ensure all dependencies are current. Code:
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
Step 2: Install DNS Software
Install DNSMasq, a lightweight DNS forwarder perfect for small home or office networks: Code:
sudo apt install dnsmasq

Step 3: Configure DNSMasq
Now it’s time to configure DNSMasq to optimize your Pi’s DNS performance.- Open the configuration file:
sudo nano /etc/dnsmasq.conf
- Uncomment and enablethe following options:
- domain-needed → Prevents forwarding of incomplete names.
- bogus-priv → Stops private IPs from being sent to upstream servers.
- no-resolv → Ensures DNSMasq uses only configured upstream servers.
- Set upstream DNS servers by replacing this line:
#server=/localnet/192.168.0.1
With:
Code:server=8.8.8.8 server=8.8.4.4
- Increase DNS cache size for faster repeat lookups:
#cache-size=150
Change to:
cache-size=1000
- Save and exit the file:
Press CTRL + X, then Y, and hit Enter. - Restart the DNSMasq service to apply your changes:
Code:sudo systemctl restart dnsmasq
- Check if it’s running properly:
Code:sudo systemctl status dnsmasq
Step 4: Test the DNS Server
Now let’s test if your Raspberry Pi DNS server is working correctly.- Use the dig command to query a domain:
Code:dig example.com @localhost
- Look for the Query time in the response.
The first query may take a few milliseconds, but repeating it should be faster due to caching.

Code:
sudo apt install dnsutils
Step 5: Configure Your Devices to Use the Pi DNS
Finally, you’ll point your other devices to the Raspberry Pi DNS server.- Find your Raspberry Pi’s IP address:
ifconfig
- Use the eth0 address for Ethernet
- Use wlan0 for Wi-Fi
- On your computer or router, set the DNS server address to your Raspberry Pi’s IP.
(This setting varies depending on your operating system.)

Conclusion
By configuring a Raspberry Pi as a DNS server, you’re not just improving speed - you’re enhancing efficiency, reducing bandwidth usage, and even gaining more control over your local network.With DNSMasq, you get a lightweight, powerful, and reliable DNS caching solution that makes your Internet experience smoother than ever.


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