This page shows how to change the DNS settings on the ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 router.
Other ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 Guides
This is the dns guide for the ZyXEL ZyWALL 2. We also have the following guides for the same router:
- ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 - Reset the ZyXEL ZyWALL 2
- ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 - How to change the IP Address on a ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 router
- ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 - ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 User Manual
- ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 - ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 Login Instructions
- ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 - Information About the ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 Router
- ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 - ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 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 ZyXEL ZyWALL 2
To get started configuring the ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 DNS page you need to login to your router. If you are already logged in you can skip this step.
To login to the ZyXEL ZyWALL 2, follow our ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 Login Guide.
Change the DNS settings on a ZyXEL ZyWALL 2
If you followed our login guide above then you should see this screen.
This guide begins on the MAIN MENU page of the ZyXEL ZyWALL-2. To setup the Domain Name System server, or the DNS server, click the LAN option in the left sidebar under the heading of SETUP.
Configure the DNS section of your ZyXEL ZyWALL 2
You should now be on the page you see above. Make sure that the tab labeled IP is highlighted.
In the section labeled DHCP Setup, find the drop down menu next to First DNS Server. From this menu, choose User-Defined, then to the right of that, enter the primary address of the DNS Server you have chosen. This address is always used first.
Below that, again choose User-Defined from the drop down menu of Second DNS Server. Now, enter the secondary address of the DNS Server you have chosen. This address is a backup and only used if the primary is inaccessible.
Nothing else should be changed on this page, simply click the Apply button when 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 ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 Info
Don't forget about our other ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 info that you might be interested in.
This is the dns guide for the ZyXEL ZyWALL 2. We also have the following guides for the same router:
- ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 - Reset the ZyXEL ZyWALL 2
- ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 - How to change the IP Address on a ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 router
- ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 - ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 User Manual
- ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 - ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 Login Instructions
- ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 - Information About the ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 Router
- ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 - ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 Screenshots