D-Link VPN Router > DSR-1000AC

DHCP server does not update DNS server in DSR-1000ac

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gholmann:
I just bought a DSR-1000AC and from what I can tell, when the DHCP server hands out an address to a client machine, it does not update the DNS server with the host name and newly issued IP address.
I find it hard to believe that this is by design or that this is a missing feature in this router, as it would not make any sense:
- We have a large number of machines on our network some of which are Linux, so we need to be able to do name resolution with DNS, not WINS.
- If the DHCP server does not let the DNS server know of new host names and the IP addresses that they are assigned, then both the DNS and DHCP server are completely unusable.

This is a key feature of a SOHO VPN router, the intent is to simplify the network by just having one appliance run the basic services.

I've seen some posts proposing to use the HOSTS file, but of course this is a ridiculous idea, try keeping HOSTS files in sync across many machines in different operating systems!

I've also seen some posts suggesting to use a separate server to do this.  If we need to do this, why is this feature even included in the DSR-1000ac.  And more generally, if the DHCP / DNS coupling does not work, why even include either of these servers in the router?  Without them syncing, they are completely unusable.

Please someone tell me that I'm mistaken and there is a way to make this work. 

This is really the first feature that needs to be there for a SOHO router and if not there, I would just need to return the router.

FurryNutz:
Link>Welcome!


* What Hardware version is your router? Look at sticker under the router case.
* Link>What Firmware version is currently loaded? Found on the routers web page under status.
* What region are you located?
Is there anything in the DSRs user manual about DNS services?

gholmann:
Thank you for looking into this:
- The hardware version is:  H/W Ver: A1
- The Firmware running on the device is the latest, 3.14 WW
- We are located in the USA (Atlanta, GA)

The DSR manual states that the router does provide DNS services (as a proxy), but does not get into detail about the interaction between the DHCP server and the DNS servers.

Per my original post, having DNS and DHCP, where the DHCP services does not update the DNS makes it impossible to use the DHCP server and so it might as well not be there.

FurryNutz:
I recommend that you phone contact your regional D-Link support office and ask for help and information regarding this.
Link> Tech Support Contact Information
We find that phone contact has better immediate results over using email.
Let us know how it goes please.

gholmann:
I phoned the D-Link support team and was told that this does not work, that the DCHP server hands out IP addresses, but does not update the DNS servers.

This is really unfortunate, a DHCP server is pretty much useless if it does not update the built-in DNS server.  How are we supposed to do name resolution if the IP addresses handed out are not registered with the DNS servers.

I've seen some postings with workarounds, but none of them are really appropriate.  i.e.:

- Use a WINS server: Our network has Windows, Linux and Mac OSX machines as well as some IoT devices, WINS is not supported by a few of these.
- Use the HOSTS file:  I really liked this one.  Really????  I'm going to edit the HOSTS files on every machine every time a machine reboots and gets a new IP addres???
- Use a separate DHCP / DNS server:  Why would I buy this router then?

It does not make any sense to put a DHCP server in a router if it does not have a DNS server that it updates when it gives out addreses.  The lack of this feature makes this router basically useless!

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