Virgin Media DNS
 

hey guys im using the virgin media public dns for gaming on the ps4 and pc but the ping is still pretty low same with google and cloudflare i was wondering if virgin have and dns servers just for gaming and if not what are your recomendations :)

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

DNS won't make any difference for gaming - Only web browsing. Latency isn't affected by DNS server settings.

How high is the latency you're seeing out to Google (8.8.8.8), for example?

Regardless, it certainly won't hurt to set the WAN DNS on your router to 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8.
Virgin servers aren't that fantastic.

Tom

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

It might do if you have a V6 box. Some functions of the V6, such as Netflix, rely on you using the VM DNS servers.

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

Seems fine on my V6 setup :)

Tom

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

Depends where you set it I guess. Setting DNS on a specific device won't affect it.

Set it in a 3rd party router so all devices pick it up automatically and you could. All depends what the V6 looks at at the time and for what reason.

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

you should never use VM's dns if you don't have to. You pay for the privilege of being able to use a proper router for a reason!

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

From what little I've used Netflix on this box, it's not worth it anyway. Dedicated netflix app or even casting is better.

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

What issues have you had? For me it's exactly the same as on my Smart TV, so I tend to use them interchangeably depending on which remote I'm using.

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

Yes they do. The Netflix keys are obtained via a host address that only exists in the VM servers. If you have V6 Netlflix working with a different DNS server, the box must have picked up the keys before the DNS was changed.

Here's an example of the problem:
https://community.virginmedia.com/t5...3373471/page/3

There are also other functions of the V6 that depend on the VM DNS.

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

well that is just **** and one of the stupidest ideas I have ever heard of. They are just causing themselves more problems.

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

I agree. It's done for commonality with other Liberty Global countries, but it's very poor system design IMO.

It is delivered through the broadband. If you are right that you have never been on VM DNS, I can't explain why it is working. (Feel free to PM me your V6 serial number if you want me to investigate)

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

Thank you all for the response :) its not virgin but its the servers that playstation (sony ) own they are just crap ;)

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

The only downside I can think of, by not using Virgin’s DNS, is that you will bypass their CDN network.

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

Which isnt the best anyway. I remember back in 2010 there were massive long term issues with youtube. You have got to remember that companies like VM are solely concerned with £££, everything is done on the cheap and you can always get better.

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

While I don't disagree, I don't think they're still having issues with their in-network CDN caches.

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

Can't say i've had issues with youtube / Netflix for years, I also haven't used Virgin's DNS for years but i dont think that stops you using their caching anyway?...

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

it doesn't per se but without the dns servers pointing you to that address you would have to know what the ip address is and do some tinkering to force your device to use them over the ones google directs you to.

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

Google's CDN isn't at all shabby. I'd trust it to perform better than VM's.

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

Exactly, that is why i dont understand why people are so content with vm' carp. It doesnt matter whether we talk about the shub, dns, cdn, wifi apps etc, everything they put their hand to is half a job and shit.

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

Not necessarily since Google (and OpenDNS) implemented this.

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

And you think VM are a participant? I don't think so. The whole point of them having a CDN is to benefit them in terms of cost or potentially provide a richer experience for their customer base. They aren't interested in serving non-paying non-VM customers.

I think you have misunderstood how the technology works.

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

Sorry Max, I think it's you that's misunderstood this tech.

The way CDN's work is by having the content you need as close to you as possible. This means having data centres all around the world. This also means placing servers inside a network if you can, for best results. When we say "Virgin's CDN servers", we don't mean servers owned by Virgin, we mean servers owned by the respective CDN provider (A top-tier like Akamai or Cloudflare, or directly from the likes of Netflix and Google/Youtube) that have peered inside Virgin's network (And others).

It's win/win for everyone here - the CDN providers provide a better service (Which means you, the consumer, get a better service - something you'll care about when visiting sites such as youtube) and the ISP requires less egress (Bandwidth outside of their network).


The problem is, how do you know which of those data centres is (geographically) close to you? How do you know if your ISP has a cache inside its network? That's where DNS comes into it and typically, your ISP's DNS will point you to their own peered CDN if they can.

A few years ago, the likes of Google DNS had no way of really knowing where, geographically, you were. This means that when you use those DNS servers instead of Virgin's, you might get routed to a CDN cache that's actually much further away - which means more latency, which also means more bandwidth outside your local node (Which means potential for hitting more congestion). The article above specifically details with how they "fix" this problem so that even if you're using a 3rd party DNS server, you've got a better chance of getting the "right" CDN cache.

It has nothing to do with Virgin offering out their own caches to 3rd parties or anything like that. That's not even possible.

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

Okay i misunderstood the detail. So you are saying that when peeps like ourselves with proper routers use google's dns servers google will know that we are VM customers and point us to the cdn on VM's network?

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

I love abit Cloudflare myself!!!! 👍 works wonders on both my Virgin & Vodafone connections! 🤓

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

Essentially, yes!

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

Yup, assuming they've configured things correctly! It's a relatively recent change though (Past few years) but as long as you're getting great streaming performance, that's all that matters.

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

Test of the DNS Servers... on this test, the best performers were:
1. Superhub 2 providing near zero cached response time
2. VM Primary, better uncached then the SH2, VM Secondary pretty good too
3. Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 - ABSOLUTE BEST for DOTCOM test, best of the rest for uncached.
I guess my best maximum config would be the SH2 as primary, and 1.1.1.1 as backup, though unless the underlying VM DNS is having a bad day, there's not much wrong with the bonus local cache of the SH2 - unless you dislike NXdomain trapping. Cloudflare does not trap, but according to the scan neither does OpenDNS - ah, they used to trap but now they don't.

https://www.cableforum.uk/images/local/2019/05/12.png

Re: Virgin Media DNS
 

You can opt out of Virgin Media trapping NXdomain responses here

They call it "Advanced Network Error Search".