OpenDNS Problems Affect Broadband ISP Users in the UK

UK internet users of the free OpenDNS service are currently being affected by “intermittent packetloss across select carriers” at their London facility. Many people use alternative Domain Name Servers (DNS), such as the free solutions from OpenDNS and Google Public DNS, to avoid loading websites via their ISPs often slower and more restrictive servers.

Domain Name Servers effectively work to translate internet IP addresses into human readable form or vice versa. For example, a DNS server can convert an IP number (“85.56.23.89“) into a domain name like “Snugglestest.com“. This is a core function of how the internet works and usually happens seamlessly in the background.

Unfortunately the DNS servers provided by your ISP are not always the fastest or most secure. In some cases ISPs can even use their DNS servers to restrict access to websites or hijack failed address requests for advertising. As a result many people have switched to free alternatives.

OpenDNS Status Update – London Re-routed

May 22, 2012 11:37 AM UTC

At approximately 11:05 UTC we started seeing intermittent packetloss across select carriers at our London facility. We’re working with various providers to determine the cause of this loss but have temporarily re-routed the site. As a result, OpenDNS users that are normally routed to our London site will be re-routed to the closest alternate site. In most cases, this will be Amsterdam or Frankfurt.

The problem effectively means that some of the data travelling over OpenDNS’s network will fail to reach its destination, which can cause problems or slow loading when attempting to access a website. As a temporary measure those affected should consider either removing the custom DNS settings from their router / computer (this will default back to your ISPs DNS) or switching to Google’s solution.