7 reasons you should turn your Raspberry Pi into a DNS server

The Raspberry Pi is a powerful and inexpensive device that can do much more than act as your media server or retro gaming emulator. One of the best ways to use it is to turn it into a DNS server. This not only makes your network faster and more private, but also gives you a sense of empowerment and control. You can set it up in a flash and block ads, keep your DNS queries safe, and even set up parental controls for your whole network.

If you’re on the fence about doing this, here are some reasons why running a DNS server on your Raspberry Pi is a great idea. It’s a small change that can make a big difference to your home network.

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Low power consumption and cost efficiency

Run a DNS server with minimal power and cost

A Raspberry Pi is energy-efficient, making it an excellent choice for a 24/7 DNS server. A Raspberry Pi uses 30 watts of energy or less, compared to regular servers that use hundreds. This means you’ll save on your electricity bill over time. Your Raspberry Pi won’t add much to your household energy costs even when running constantly.

The cost savings don’t stop there. Raspberry Pi boards are cheap and easy to find, especially if you get an older model like the Raspberry Pi 3. These older models can handle DNS server tasks without any struggles. DNS operations don’t require superfast hardware, so you don’t need massive servers to get great results.

You also don’t have to buy expensive software. Free and easy-to-install open-source DNS server solutions like Pi-hole and AdGuard Home exist. With a little work, you’ll have a strong DNS server without the cost of commercial solutions.

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Custom DNS records for local devices

Simplify network access with custom hostnames

Managing devices on a local network can be a real pain when you have to remember a bunch of IP addresses. However, a Raspberry Pi DNS server can fix that. It lets you create custom DNS records, so instead of typing a complicated IP address to access your NAS, you can just use a name like nas.home or media.server.

This simplifies navigating your network, especially if you have many connected devices. Everything, from printers to smart home hubs, is easier to find and access. It’s also easier for guests. If visitors want to print something or stream from your media server, they only need the simple hostname, not a long string of numbers.

Custom DNS records also make network management a breeze. Updating or deleting records is a snap as devices are added or removed. You’re in complete control of your local domain names, which means less confusion and smoother network operations.

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Parental controls and content filtering

Protect your family from harmful content online

Source: Unsplash

The internet may be a treasure trove of content, but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Especially if you have kids. There are some things you might not want them to see. A Raspberry Pi DNS server can be your cyber nanny to keep your family safe online.

With tools like Pi-hole and AdGuard Home, you can block entire categories of websites, including adult content, gambling, and social media, during homework hours.

The best part is that these DNS-based controls work across all the devices connected to your network. No more fiddling with parental controls on each phone, tablet, or computer. Just set it up once, and it’s done. When a device connects to your Wi-Fi, it inherits the filtering rules you’ve set. This consistency ensures your kids can’t sneak around and bypass the restrictions by switching devices.

Parental controls don’t stop at blocking content. You can also schedule access times to encourage healthier internet habits. For example, you can block entertainment sites during study hours or restrict internet access at bedtime. This level of control helps foster better digital habits without daily battles over screen time.

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DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) or DNS-over-TLS (DoT) encryption

Enhance privacy with encrypted DNS queries

You might not know this, but DNS queries are often sent in plain text. This means anyone accessing your network can see what websites you visit. However, a Raspberry Pi DNS server can fix this by using encryption. Your DNS queries are scrambled, so no one can see what you’re looking at.

Setting up encrypted DNS on a Raspberry Pi is easy. Apps like Pi-hole and Unbound can do it for you. With just a few changes, all the devices on your network will use secure DNS.

This encryption isn’t just about privacy. It also helps keep your network safe from the bad guys. By using encrypted DNS, you can avoid being tricked into visiting malicious websites that try to steal your personal information.

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Avoid ISP DNS tracking

Take control of your internet privacy

Many ISPs are sneaky spies that watch what you search for on the internet. Not only do they track your DNS queries, but sometimes they sell this data to advertisers or use it to figure out who you are without you even knowing it. The good news is that you can take control of your DNS and hide from these spies.

When you set up your own DNS server on your Raspberry Pi, you decide who to trust when it comes to finding websites. You can choose privacy-focused options like Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 or Quad9’s 9.9.9.9, which don’t log or share your DNS queries with anyone. And if you pair this with DoH or DoT, it completely blocks your ISP from tracking your online activities.

You’re also saying goodbye to targeted advertising by taking control of your DNS. ISPs can determine what interests you and show ads that seem like digital stalkers. With your own DNS, you’re reducing the data they have, so you gain a bit more privacy in your digital world.

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Faster DNS resolution with local caching

Speed up your internet with locally cached queries

DNS resolution delays can cause slow website loading times. When you visit a website, your device must find the IP address by asking for a DNS query. A Raspberry Pi DNS server can speed this up by storing DNS records locally.

When it stores a DNS record, your device doesn’t have to ask the external server again. This means faster load times, especially for websites you often visit. It might not seem like much, but these minor improvements add up over time.

Caching also helps reduce the load on external DNS servers. Fewer queries mean better network performance, especially during peak hours when public DNS services can slow down. This is especially important for households with multiple users and devices.

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Block ads and trackers network-wide

Enjoy a cleaner, faster, and more private internet

Source: Pi-hole

Turning your Raspberry Pi into a DNS server can block ads across your entire network. With Pi-hole, you can filter out those pesky ads from websites, apps, and even smart TVs. Browsing will be faster, cleaner, and more fun.

Network-wide ad blocking also protects your privacy. Advertisers use trackers in ads to spy on you across different sites. By intercepting these trackers, your Raspberry Pi stops them from collecting your personal info or building detailed user profiles.

You’ll save on bandwidth, too. Ads, especially video ads, can be a real bandwidth hog. By blocking them, you’ll reduce unnecessary traffic, which is especially helpful if you have a data cap or metered broadband. Streaming services, news websites, and social media platforms will be noticeably faster when ads are gone.

Take control of your home network today

Using your Raspberry Pi as a DNS server is a great way to save power, block ads, and make your network faster, more secure, and private. All you need to do is set it up, and you’ll have complete control over how your devices access the internet.