This page shows how to change the DNS settings on the Cradlepoint CTR500 router.
Other Cradlepoint CTR500 Guides
This is the dns guide for the Cradlepoint CTR500. We also have the following guides for the same router:
- Cradlepoint CTR500 - How to change the IP Address on a Cradlepoint CTR500 router
- Cradlepoint CTR500 - Setup WiFi on the Cradlepoint CTR500
- Cradlepoint CTR500 - Cradlepoint CTR500 Login Instructions
- Cradlepoint CTR500 - Cradlepoint CTR500 User Manual
- Cradlepoint CTR500 - Cradlepoint CTR500 Port Forwarding Instructions
- Cradlepoint CTR500 - How to Reset the Cradlepoint CTR500
- Cradlepoint CTR500 - Information About the Cradlepoint CTR500 Router
- Cradlepoint CTR500 - Cradlepoint CTR500 Screenshots
What is the DNS setting on a Router
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:
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 Cradlepoint CTR500
To get started configuring the Cradlepoint CTR500 DNS page you need to login to your router. If you are already logged in you can skip this step.
To login to the Cradlepoint CTR500, follow our Cradlepoint CTR500 Login Guide.
Change the DNS settings on a Cradlepoint CTR500
If you followed our login guide above then you should see this screen.
You are now on the DEVICE INFORMATION page of the Cradlepoint CTR-500. Click the choice at the top of the page in red labeled Basic.
This opens some new choices to the left of the page, click the one labeled WAN.
Configure the DNS section of your Cradlepoint CTR500
You are now on a page similar to the one you see here. Scroll down this page until you see the heading of DNS Settings.
Under that you see the words DNS Address with a couple of radio buttons. Tick the radio button labeled Use the following DNS Servers.
Now in the box marked Primary DNS Server, enter the DNS Server's primary address.
Enter the secondary address in the box labeled Secondary DNS Server.
Click the Save Settings button at the top of the page.
That's it, you're 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 Cradlepoint CTR500 Info
Don't forget about our other Cradlepoint CTR500 info that you might be interested in.
This is the dns guide for the Cradlepoint CTR500. We also have the following guides for the same router:
- Cradlepoint CTR500 - How to change the IP Address on a Cradlepoint CTR500 router
- Cradlepoint CTR500 - Setup WiFi on the Cradlepoint CTR500
- Cradlepoint CTR500 - Cradlepoint CTR500 Login Instructions
- Cradlepoint CTR500 - Cradlepoint CTR500 User Manual
- Cradlepoint CTR500 - Cradlepoint CTR500 Port Forwarding Instructions
- Cradlepoint CTR500 - How to Reset the Cradlepoint CTR500
- Cradlepoint CTR500 - Information About the Cradlepoint CTR500 Router
- Cradlepoint CTR500 - Cradlepoint CTR500 Screenshots