Selfhosted @lemmy.world AlecStewart1st @lemmy.world 1 yr. ago

Tips for asking ISP to allow for using my own DNS setup for self-hosted VPN?

Hello, friends.

So I've had my Pi-Hole setup for awhile now and it's great. I'd like to get Wireguard working with it, too, so I could browse the internet without loads of ads and trackers on the go.

However, small issue. All DNS traffic is forcibly routed to my ISP. If you need some details, I made this post on the Pi-Hole userspace.

I'm in America and my ISP is Spectrum. I was wondering if there's a way I could convince technical support to allow me to use a recursive DNS for privacy/security (more-so the second of the two) purposes, or if it is even possible to convince them to do this. I don't know if there's a specific number I should contact, email I should email to, or if I just have to endure the nightmare of getting passed around by customer service one Saturday. Any recommendations would be great.

An interesting note for anyone who's ISP is Spectrum, their DNS service, at least for me, uses OpenDNS with dnsmasq-2.57. That version of dnsmasq is over 10 years old. You see if this is the case for you with

dig CHAOS TXT version.bind @192.33.4.12 +short
dig CHAOS TXT version.bind @198.97.190.53 +short

Or something similar if those IP addresses are different for you. You can see that running those commands were a part of the steps I was asked to take in that Pi-Hole userspace post.

EDIT 1:

For those interested, here's some Github gist I found that shows how to use unbound + stubby for have a recursive DNS + DNS-over-HTTPS. There's also this from the DNS Privacy Project.

EDIT 2:

I seems that initial answer from the Pi-Hole forums was correct. There's probably something that was set in the firmware for the Netgear router that prevents me from setting up my own DNS servers. However, I notice on the router there's a "router mode" option that's on, which I can probably turn off, plug in my Pi to the Netgear device and have the Pi act as my router, thus letting me be able to use it as my DNS server as well. That or just suck it up and buy only a modem, not a router + modem combo.

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44 comments

I have spectrum and they don’t forcibly route anything for me.

You must have either their modem maybe? Or you have the DNS helper setting where if you mistype a url it redirects you.

Either way there is a way to disable it because it doesn’t happen for me and hasn’t in the many years I’ve had them across the country.
- Hmmm then it's something with the modem I have then. I can't set the DNS address. It's some cheap Netgear modem. If I go to Advanced -> Setup -> Internet Setup and click Use These DNS Servers and put in the address for the Pi-Hole, it prevents me from doing so.
  
  I think you mean router, since you would most likely not set DNS on a modem (unless it’s a combo) — but yes I would look into getting something better that you have more control over.
  
  Edit: gotta love new Lenny clients that spam comment replies 🤦‍♂️
  
  It's a combo. Most are these days, I believe, but I know Spectrum is weird and will give you a router AND modem if you just buy it through them. What device would you recommend? I don't want to buy one just to find out I can't set the Pi-Hole as the DNS server on a new one.
  
  I use a Unifi system which is going to be overkill for 99% of people, but as far as Modems only go Arris Surfboards are solid and I’ve never had an issue.
  
  For router you can get whatever is your fancy, mesh system or a big multi antenna whatever.
  
  Moto's DOCSIS modems are pretty damn solid, too. I've had one at my MIL's house doing gigabit for a few years now and haven't had a lick of issue with them.
  
  So something like this?
  
  That’s still a combo device which I generally would avoid. But basically anything that isn’t provided by the cable company will be better.
  
  I would recommend putting that modem in Bridge mode and getting something like a TP-Link Omada device. I’ve had them for a while and have been really happy.
  
  Seems like I could potentially get around my issue by taking the device out of this "router mode" setting I found and connecting my Pi to it via Ethernet cable and have the Pi be the router for my network.
  
  EDIT: Actually, scratch that. I don't think a Pi would be powerful enough to act as a router. Well, off to by a modem (not a combo) it is!
  
  You just need to tell them you want a modem only, no router.
  
  I'm running an Asus rt68ac with Merlin firmware. Which is nice because I can force all dns through my piholes. Even the hardcoded stuff like the iot devices.
  
  I think you mean router, since you would most likely not set DNS on a modem (unless it’s a combo) — but yes I would look into getting something better that you have more control over.
  
  I think you mean router, since you would most likely not set DNS on a modem (unless it’s a combo) — but yes I would look into getting something better that you have more control over.
  
  I think you mean router, since you would most likely not set DNS on a modem (unless it’s a combo) — but yes I would look into getting something better that you have more control over.
  
  I think you mean router, since you would most likely not set DNS on a modem (unless it’s a combo) — but yes I would look into getting something better that you have more control over.
- How has been your experience with spectrum? Thinking about switching ISPs.
  
  They are better than Comcast but that’s a low bar.
  
  Overall I get Gig speeds for $80/m which isn’t terrible and no data cap. My previous house AT&T fiber was the same cost but better. I don’t have a choice where I live now so it’s Spectrum or DSL

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