DNS Settings - Computer vs Motorola Modem/Router

[Menhir]

I have set the DNS settings on two different computers to use Google or OpenDNS. But I'm not sure this is making a difference...  I notice that the Motorola NVG510 residential gateway has its own DNS settings (viewable under "Broadband" then "Status"). The Motorola's Primary and Secondary DNS settings are set to a couple of SBC sites 99.99.99.53 and  99.99.99.153.

So, is there a way to adjust the Motorola's DNS settings? I'm wondering if they're not simply overriding whatever I set up in my computer for DNS.  Or, could it be the other way around... that the computer's network settings override the Motorola???

Input and experience with this welcomed! Thanks

[mibrnsurg ACE - Geek]

No, all the ATT modems/RGs have preset ATT DNS servers that are not changeable due to the fact Uverse TV could not connect using the other DNS servers (in-house, not internet TV addresses). 

Your computer DNS settings over-ride the modem/RG DNS addressing.

Chris

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Please NO SD stretch-o-vision or 480 SD HD Channels
Need Help? 1-800-288-2020, After he gets acct info, press # a bunch of times, get a menu from Mr. Voice recognition
Your Results May Vary, In My Humble Opinion
I Call It Like I See It, Simply a U-verse user, nothing more

[Menhir]

Thanks, that's good to know!

Other than DNS, are there a few other Top Tips, other settings on the computer akin to this that can hopefully improve throughput and signal quality? e.g., MTU, Receive Window, etc? (I've already ruled out issues with my equipment and house gadgets causing interference.)

Similarly, I noticed there is an MTU setting on the RG itself of 1500 - is that a "good" default value? Is there a reason it comes with 1500 as the default?

Related to why I'm even asking these kinds of question... So far, with a fair degree of tinkering I've been able to coax Uverse into nearly reasonable basic Internet performance, i.e., feels like I'm 65 to 70% there on the unexpected journey. At best, I still give the servi\ce a poor to fair grade, though, for all the hassle and time it's taken and the difficulty in finding knowledgeable Support repts. (I'm being polite as I can.)

[mibrnsurg ACE - Geek]

All those oither settings are preset and no need to be changed.  I've happily had Uverse TV/internet (1.5 then 12M) for almost 4 years. 

If you're still on XP, check the tweak tester at dslreports.com, if on Win 7, everything should be set already for broadband.

Chris

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Please NO SD stretch-o-vision or 480 SD HD Channels
Need Help? 1-800-288-2020, After he gets acct info, press # a bunch of times, get a menu from Mr. Voice recognition
Your Results May Vary, In My Humble Opinion
I Call It Like I See It, Simply a U-verse user, nothing more

[Menhir]

For better and worse, still on XP which works well for the things I do across 4-5 computers. The issue around here is probably in some measure the physical quality of the lines. I had a line tech out here last week, a seasoned pro who knew what he was doing; he identified a number of issues with the line and shared that with me. The ball was then dropped by the "repair" after that, long story short (too much of a story for this thread).

The tweak utility from dslreports is a good product for making adjustments for XP - I've used it in the past. My curiosity on the settings, such as MTU, was if others had "experimented" and have reached conclusions about such.

I had DSL for years and no sig problems. U-verse has been an undesirable alternate universe and I've had to spend way to much time and effort to get AT&T on the ball. I'm likely to bail on AT&T this upcoming week if I can't get a more consistent signal situation going here, not to mention issues with the Motorola unit.

I am aware that the service has worked well for some, though. Not for me, unfortunately, after many hours invested I've not been able to have a conversation with a technically capable phone rep who seemed to be schooled in networking A to Z (I have a long background in other areas of technology, and am familiar when support works and when it falls flat).

[frustratedbyISP]

I don't have uverse TV - only internet (we have DTV and won't be changing anytime soon).  Our internet drops constantly and is slow, freezes up, etc.  Since I don't have Uverse TV and it won't interfere with that, could you please tell me how I can change the DNS server on my Mac?  Thank you.

[frustratedbyISP]

This is an unbelievably good day with uverse so far because usually I have D or D- ratings when I test the speed.  This is what i am showing on my broadband status:

Broadband Status

Line State	Up
Broadband Connection	Up
Downstream Sync Rate (kbps)	4394
Upstream Sync Rate (kbps)	765
Modulation	ADSL2+
Data Path	Interleaved
Broadband IPv4 Address	108.199.122.82
Gateway IPv4 Address	108.199.120.1
MAC Address	20:e5:64:0f:b4:01
Primary DNS	99.99.99.53
Secondary DNS	99.99.99.153
Primary DNS Name	dns6rd1.sbcglobal.net
Secondary DNS Name	dns6rd2.sbcglobal.net
MTU	1500

IPv6

Status	Available
Global Unicast IPv6 Address	2602:306:cc77:a520::1/60
Border Relay IPv4 Address	12.83.49.81

IPv4 Statistics

Transmit Packets	2060412
Transmit Errors	0
Transmit Discards	49

IPv6 Statistics

Transmit Packets	181730
Transmit Errors	0
Transmit Discards	0

Downstream and Upstream Statistics

	Downstream	Upstream
SN Margin (dB)	6.8	12.6
Line Attenuation (dB)	56.5	34.1
Output Power(dBm)	19.0	12.2
Errored Seconds	5238	0
Loss of Signal	0	0
Loss of Frame	0	0
FEC Errors	57407	1
CRC Errors	7378	0

I would really like to know what "errored seconds" FEC errors and CRC errors are?

Also, whenever I run diagnostics, it shows 6rd continuity  as "Fail" then "return to troubleshoot", but I have no idea what the test results mean, so I don't know what to do about it.

Can someone please help me?  I have a Macbook pro with Leopard (10.5.8)

When I go to Network Preferences and then DNS, I can't change the DNS server - I can add, but I can't delete - it is grayed out - can't get to it.  Under DNS servers it shows 192.168.1.254 and under Search Domain it shows att.net.  For the router, it shows primary DNS as 99.99.99.53 and secondary as 99.99.99.153

I will be the first to admit that I don't understand any of this, but I am willing to try anything.  Please help me get this going without interruptions.  It is driving me crazy!

Also - it isn't my computer.  I have ATT uverse at my office about 2 miles away (we have our own business- same setup), and I don't have these problems there using the same computer.

[fearlessuser]

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frustratedbyISP wrote:

I don't have uverse TV - only internet (we have DTV and won't be changing anytime soon).  Our internet drops constantly and is slow, freezes up, etc.  Since I don't have Uverse TV and it won't interfere with that, could you please tell me how I can change the DNS server on my Mac?  Thank you.

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From the apple menu in the upper right, go to system preferences, then open the network icon. from there, select the airport or ethernet option based on how you're connected to the modem. Then click the advanced button in the lower right, and select the DNS option at the top. then under the dns server box (i think its called that, the one on the left), click the + button, and type in 68.94.156.1, click the + again, then 68.94.157.1. thats it. hit the OK button and close out of the network window. should be set

[frustratedbyISP]

I already did that, but it didn't have any effect. The problem is that above that at the top of the list of DNS servers, att is hardwired in (greyed out) I can't delete it - 192.168.1.254 under DNS Servers and search domains: att.net. I think I read that the moderator said they do that purposely and they won't let us get into it to change it. So, even though I entered 68.94.156.1 it is below 192..... so I don't think it is being used. No change that I can tell. Does that make sense?

[frustratedbyISP]

I have a Mac. I can't delete the DNS settings in the router. If I add other DNS servers below that, will they be used at all or does it never see those ? ie are the att settings blocking everything else? They are showing up in my internet preferences, but I can't access them (greyed out - can't click) to change them.

[gamegurou]

FEC errors and CRC errors
FEC = forward error correction
-It's a red flag if you have greater than 100FEC errors per minute.

CRC = cyclic redundancy check
-It's a red flag if you have greater than 3CRC per minute.

To check DNS (which translates, for instance, google.com to 74.125.239.0), go to your network utility, run a ping to google.com. If you can ping there, your DNS is translating correctly and more than likely it's not a DNS issue. If you can't ping that, try pinging 74.125.239.0. If you can't ping google.com, but can ping 74.125.239.0, it's a DNS issue.