This page shows how to change the DNS settings on the Cisco RV120W router.
Other Cisco RV120W Guides
This is the dns guide for the Cisco RV120W 1.0.3.10. We also have the following guides for the same router:
- Cisco RV120W 1.0.3.10 - Cisco RV120W Login Instructions
- Cisco RV120W 1.0.3.10 - How to change the IP Address on a Cisco RV120W router
- Cisco RV120W 1.0.3.10 - Cisco RV120W User Manual
- Cisco RV120W 1.0.3.10 - Cisco RV120W Port Forwarding Instructions
- Cisco RV120W 1.0.3.10 - Setup WiFi on the Cisco RV120W
- Cisco RV120W 1.0.3.10 - How to Reset the Cisco RV120W
- Cisco RV120W 1.0.3.10 - Information About the Cisco RV120W Router
- Cisco RV120W 1.0.3.10 - Cisco RV120W Screenshots
What is the DNS setting on a Router
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When you connect a router to the Internet it gets a few settings from your ISP automatically. One of the settings that the ISP sets in your router is the DNS setting. DNS stands for Domain Name System and it is used to convert Internet names into actual IP addresses. For instance, when you go to "google.com", your are really connecting to an IP address that is mapped through DNS to a number such as:
- 173.194.33.73
This mapping happens automatically every time you visit any page on the Internet.
Why Change Your Router's DNS Setting
Some ISPs choose to abuse the DNS system and map unknown names to servers that they control. This can be done in a way that you don't know it is happening since your router is getting its DNS settings from your ISP. For instance, if you have one of these ISPs who is hijacking your DNS, and you try to surf the web to "some-random-site.com" and "some-random-site.com" does not exist, you might get a page back from your ISP with local advertisements on it.
By changing your DNS setting in your router you will effectively change the DNS setting for every computer on your network. This is because when a device is connected to your network your router automatically hands out its own DNS settings to that device. This way you can protect your entire network from ISP hijacking with just one setting.
What Should I Change My DNS To
There are 2 really great DNS servers on the Internet that you can choose from right now: Google Public DNS and OpenDNS. If you are not sure which one to pick then just use Google Public DNS.
When you change the DNS settings in your router, you usually have to enter a Primary and a Secondary setting. The secondary is only used if the primary can not be located. Here are common settings:
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If you want to use Google Public DNS, use the following settings:
- Primary: 8.8.8.8
- Secondary: 8.8.4.4
If you want to use OpenDNS, use the following settings:
- 208.67.222.222
- 208.67.220.220
Login To The Cisco RV120W
To get started configuring the Cisco RV120W DNS page you need to login to your router. If you are already logged in you can skip this step.
To login to the Cisco RV120W, follow our Cisco RV120W Login Guide.
Change the DNS settings on a Cisco RV120W
If you followed our login guide above then you should see this screen.
Beginning on the Getting Started screen of the Cisco RV-120W router, click the link to the left labeled Networking.
This opens up some new choices, click LAN (Local Network, then under that, IPv4 LAN (Local Network).
Configure the DNS section of your Cisco RV120W
This takes you to the proper page called IPv4 LAN (Local Network).
On this page, find the bold letters DHCP. Under this about four or five lines in the box labeled Primary DNS Server. This is where you are to enter the primary address of the DNS server you decided on earlier.
Right below that is the box titled Secondary DNS Server. Use this box to enter the secondary address of the DNS server you picked.
Click the Save button.
That's it, you are done!
Possible Problems when Changing your DNS settings
Most devices on your network will not begin using the new DNS settings until they have been rebooted. After rebooting a device you can go to it's network settings and verify that it is using the DNS servers that you specified.
Other Cisco RV120W Info
Don't forget about our other Cisco RV120W info that you might be interested in.
This is the dns guide for the Cisco RV120W 1.0.3.10. We also have the following guides for the same router:
- Cisco RV120W 1.0.3.10 - Cisco RV120W Login Instructions
- Cisco RV120W 1.0.3.10 - How to change the IP Address on a Cisco RV120W router
- Cisco RV120W 1.0.3.10 - Cisco RV120W User Manual
- Cisco RV120W 1.0.3.10 - Cisco RV120W Port Forwarding Instructions
- Cisco RV120W 1.0.3.10 - Setup WiFi on the Cisco RV120W
- Cisco RV120W 1.0.3.10 - How to Reset the Cisco RV120W
- Cisco RV120W 1.0.3.10 - Information About the Cisco RV120W Router
- Cisco RV120W 1.0.3.10 - Cisco RV120W Screenshots