DNS Server#

A DNS server resolves host names like ‘google.com’ to an IP address.

I want a DNS server to resolve a host name like ‘homelab.lan’ on my local network.

Router DNS#

Some home routers include a local DNS server that can be configured.

Mine does not, so I will run one separately on my linux box.

Then I’ll update my router to point to it.

This is an extremely lightweight and simple DNS server.

It often comes bundled with home routers.

Easy with sudo apt install dnsmaq

I create a new config file at /etc/dnsmasq.d/homelab.conf with my settings:

dnsmasq config

Next, I’ll enter the homelab host record in my /etc/hosts file that dnsmasq will read.

homelab host

I reload the config changes by restarting dnsmaq.

dnsmasq reloaded

I configure my linux box IP as the primary DNS.

update router dns settings

My router does a full restart and changes should be in effect.

At first, I’m unable to ping homelab.lan from my laptop.

I run an nslookup on the domain and notice that it’s using 127.0.0.53 as my DNS.

This is not expected.

ping and nslookup fails

Inspecting my /etc/resolv.conf reveals my DNS is handled by systemd-resolved.

resolv conf

I edit the config at /etc/systemd/resolved.conf and manually set my primary & fallback DNS.

resolved conf

After my config is reloaded, nslookup works!

nslookup correct

homelab.lan is reachable.

ping homelab.lan