🚀 go-pugleaf

In at least my region, there is a problem with the DNS server settings being 
provided by the DHCP server. It is responding with 4 DNS servers, but only 
the first 2 are true DNS servers. The last two appear to be DHCP servers. 
The first 2 DNS servers appear to be timing out on requests. This is causing 
secondary, and then tertiary servers to be queried. In my case, once DNS 
cycled to the third server I was toast as there was no way I could have a 
chance to resolve DNS again as the OS (Windows) doesn't reset to the primary 
DNS server on it's own.


SYMPTOMS:

You will have full Internet access, but at some point will loose the ability  
to reach any servers. Programs such as AIM or ICQ will continue to function 
and you still still have an connection indicated on your cable modem.

What has happened is you have lost the ability to resolve DNS names. To 
demonstrate this you could put the following IP address in your browser and 
it will work: 207.68.171.253 (which is WWW.MSN.COM)

What is happening is a request to resolve a DNS name is timing out. When 
this happen the next DNS server in line is used, and so on. The OS does not 
reset back to the original server unless rebooted (which is why your system 
would work if support told you to reboot). The same is true if you release 
and renew your IP settings (if that means anything to you, it's not 
important anyway)


RESOLUTION:

*NT / WIN2K / Win XP?
I corrected the problem by disabling DHCP supplied DNS settings and manually 
set the first 2 DNS servers that had been supplied by DHCP.

(alternate)
If you prefer not to do this, you can just run IPCONFIG /RENEW from a 
command line and your DNS should be restored for a while.

*Win9x / Win ME
If I recall, this is not an option in Win9x as the DHCP response overrides 
the configured settings.

What you can do is launch WINIPCFG
select the SHOW ALL button and write down the following:
IP ADDRESS
SUBNET MASK
GATEWAY
and the FIRST TWO DNS servers

Now change yor TCP/IP settings to manual and configure using the numbers you 
noted.

(alternate)
You still launch WINIPCFG, but just click the RENEW ALL button and DNS will 
be restored for a while.


I did call in this to AT&T, but I dount it will get forwarded to whoever 
would need to see it. Eventually they will figure it out...