Manual DNS setting in Windows vs Router

[Patroclus]

I need advice.

I bought a new router, Tenda FH303, but there seems to be a firmware bug. Whenever i set manual DNS settings and save it in the router management, it will always go back using my provider's DNS servers after just 1-2 minutes. My manual Google DNS settings always get replaced again automatically.

Now, what happens if I set a manual DNS servers in Windows's adapter setting to Google ? Will it take priority over the router's DNS settings ?
Will it cause redundancy, like Google DNS --> router's DNS --> fetch internet data ? or will it simply ignore my router's DNS settings and use Google instead ?

I'm not really good at networking, but I hope somebody understands what I'm explaining. Thanks

 

[dave_the_nerd]

If you set the DNS servers on your computer, those will override what's on the router, but only for that computer.

 

[razel]

There could be two DNS server entries. One for the WAN port (connects to your modem) another for the LAN. Sounds like you are changing the WAN port which obviously will change to whatever your ISP says. Try finding the other DNS entry.

 

[Patroclus]

Thank you for the answer. I think my only solution is to set manual dns in the adapter setting.

Razel, I'm not sure about that, but I think I have set it in the correct place, like the pic below. I have clicked OK there is a message "Configurations saved" showing, but it got resetted everytime.



I bought this router because I saw very good comments by many users in my local forum. I took the bait and bought it just being curious, esp it's very cheap due to some promotion. Only $11 vs $22 standard price.

Signal wise, it's quite good, better than my DLink DIR-615, quite stable (5 days without dropping), but it has very quirky interface that is very annoying. Some changes won't stick (only temporarily, pseudo-saved), and I have to try several times (like wifi security settings) ...and suddenly it just works. Only the Manual DNS Settings which is persistently resetted, no matter how many times I've tried.

I don't recommend this router to anyone, even for basic home user because it has very quirky setup page (suddenly logged out, slow screen etc).....too much to handle. Once set, it works without a problem though.....after some frustration in the setup.

I only use this wifi router to connect a laptop in my room to the internet.
I think I'm going back to my old DIR-615. :biggrin:

 

[razel]

Where DNS settings are located definitely depends on your router. Try the LAN settings, otherwise as you mentioned, it probably is a bug.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

You need to check the box "Enable Manual DNS Assignment" ...

 

[Patroclus]

Actually I have, and there was even a message "Configurations saved".
I uploaded a 90-sec video showing what happens when I change the DNS, but you have to see it 720p & full-screen to see the text easily.

There are actually 2 places where I could change the DNS.
1. Internet Connection Setup, but I have to use "Static IP" to make the options show up. If I choose "Static IP" connection, I have to type manually IP Address, Subnet mask, Gateway, DNS Servers & MTU. This doesn't work for me, because my provider seems to allow DHCP connection type. If I set Static IP & set everything manually, my internet will stop working in just an hour. Only DHCP connection type works for my cable.
2. Manual DNS Settings. This is where my manual settings always got resetted every min.

https://youtu.be/BzEyRCF8km0

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Did you reboot the device immediately after saving the configuration? The DNS settings page says you must.

 

[Patroclus]

I have tried rebooting the rooter after setting the DNS. It makes no difference. The DNS setting got reseted right after reboot. I tried this 20-30x already.

It seems the setup page has lots of problem of saving user setting.

Another example:
The wifi security section allows me to pick encryption mode (WEP,WPA, WPA2) for each SSID, but somehow one of them will always get reseted back to WPA if WPA2 are chosen for both. The router seems to allow only 1 SSID using WPA2, while the other must use WPA. If I set both to WPA2 (or mixed WPA/WPA2), one of them will always change back to WPA.

Even setting one SSID to WPA2 seems so difficult, because it always change back to WPA somehow (I did confirm clicking OK to save the setting after the change). After trying many times....suddenly BOOMM....it sticks. :twisted:

So is the password for SSIDs. When I change the password for 1 SSID, the second SSID password also got changed unexpectedly, which is funny because now both SSIDs suddenly use the same password.
How could password change in 1 SSID affect the password for the 2nd SSID is beyond my logic.
First I thought both SSID must use the same password....but then again...after trying several times, the router seems to decide to remember each password for each SSID. Crazy !!!
Extremely frustrating setup page, but once you managed to set it up, it works quite reliably & performance is faster than my older DIR-615 & DIR-600L in file transfer test.

I don't have this kind of setup problem with both of my Dlink routers.
Just avoid this Tenda router by all means. They are cheap for a reason.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Yeah, that router seems to be quite problematic, but let's try one last thing:

1) Double check the installed firmware and if it's not the latest then upgrade it (backup settings just in case).
2) Reset router using the 30-30-30 method (ignore that it's for DD-WRT)
3) Start over from scratch and see if that helps.

 

[razel]

You even produced a video! There is a firmware update available for you. You are on 5.07.58 October, 2013. Tenda has 5.07.71 from January 2015. Shocked they even released an update. Per the instructions... reset to factory after flash. Like with any DD-WRT firmware I'd reset to factory, flash and reset again.

 

[Patroclus]

I have just upgraded to firmware 5.07.71 last night after the customer support from Tenda distributor replied my mail & asked me to try the new firmware. I notice that 5.07.71 is Hardware vers. 2.0 for India. Mine is hardware version 1.0 (international version). I flashed anyway. No harm, but same problem.
I reported back the result, and the CS said he would escalate to Tenda in China.
I actually sent email to Tenda in China directly 2 days ago, but no reply. I won't hold my breath because many users has emailed Tenda before and got no reply. :biggrin:

Anyway, I found another bug. If I flashed a new firmware (whether newer firmware or even the original firmware), then I can not login into the setup page. The default Tenda's "Admin" password or even my previous password for the setup page are both denied . Somehow the admin password becomes $^2)-$! I guess.
I have to use the Reset button on the back of the router first (after flashing) before gaining access using default "Admin" password from Tenda. Funny.

From Tom's forum, I read several Tenda users (different models though) claimed to have similar problem of losing settings.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/35274-43-troubleshoot-tenda-router-problems
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/25285-43-tenda-router-trouble

At least mine seems to keep the settings after the problematic setup. Well....I hope so. 7th day still working no problem. Good range also.

I guess I got what I paid for.
I thought I found a gem for only $11 :biggrin:

 

[Patroclus]

Just to update.

My problem is solved. I can't believe I got great support from the Tenda's distributor in my country. For $11 product, they could simply ignore me, but they didn't. The technical support staff has been exchanging emails with me everyday, but no solution. He said he would contact Tenda in China and asked for a fixed firmware to solve this Manual DNS problem. I thought he was just "cheering me up".
Yesteday, he sent me another email with a new firmware attachment.
I flashed, and it was v 5.07.70_en for Hardware Vers. 1.0, newer than what Tenda provides on their website v5.07.58 for ver 1.0 &.....it does fix the manual DNS setting as promised.

Very happy with this product. The router has performed very well & stable.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Good news, and thanks for the update!

 

[MtnMan]

Return that crap router and get one that works properly.