Well, I recently started reading up on DNS servers and how to make my internet connection faster for free. I stumbled upon (literally) Google Public DNS [http://code.google.com/speed/public-dns/docs/using.html] and tried switching my DNS Servers to Google Public and boy, was I surprised. My internet connection load time went down exponentially. But now that I had done that, like any other human being, I wanted faster, faster faster! So I kept looking. I found a project hosted by Google Code called Namebench [http://code.google.com/p/namebench/] and tried it out. NOTE:  I had also configured my router to use Google Public DNS. Namebench suggested that for my Primary DNS Server, I direct it to my router, which had a faster connection time to Google Public DNS than my computer did (logically) and gave me a Secondary and Tertiary server. After some research, I discovered that a Tertiary server is a back up server, incase both the first two go down. Below is a tutorial on how to add a Tertiary Server in Windows Operating Systems (XP and up).

Step 1: Open Ethernet Adapter Settings

Depending on what Windows OS you’re using, you need to navigate to your Ethernet Adapter Settings (Also called Network Connections). It should look a little something like this:

Step 2: Open Properties, Change DNS Settings

Right-Click your Internet Connection, Select Properties. Double-Click “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)”. Click Advanced, Select the DNS Tab.

Step 3: Adding the Tertiary Server

Select the Add button, and enter the DNS I.P. Address of the Tertiary Server that is provided by Namebench.

Tada! You’re done! You have now added your backup DNS Server (which may make your connection slightly faster, too!)

-dwmcc