Introduction
PfSense is a powerful open-source firewall and routing software that many users rely on to secure their networks. One of the essential features it offers is a DNS resolver, which plays a crucial role in translating domain names into IP addresses. However, sometimes there may be a need to add host overrides to the PfSense DNS resolver to ensure certain domain names are resolved correctly. In this article, we will guide you through the process of adding host overrides to your PfSense DNS resolver.
Understanding Host Overrides
Before we dive into the steps of adding host overrides to PfSense DNS resolver, it’s important to have a clear understanding of what host overrides are. In simple terms, host overrides allow you to specify custom DNS records that override the default DNS resolution done by your ISP or DNS server.
Host overrides are particularly useful in situations where you need to direct specific domain names to different IP addresses within your network. For example, if you have a local server with a private IP address that you want to access using a domain name, you can use host overrides to ensure that your PfSense DNS resolver resolves that domain name to the correct IP address.
Adding Host Overrides in PfSense
Now that we understand the concept of host overrides, let’s go through the process of adding them to your PfSense DNS resolver:
1. Access the PfSense Web Interface: Open your preferred web browser and enter the IP address of your PfSense firewall. Login to the web interface using your administrator credentials.
2. Navigate to DNS Resolver Settings: Once you are logged in to the PfSense web interface, click on “Services” in the top menu, then select “DNS Resolver” from the drop-down menu.
3. Access Host Overrides: In the DNS Resolver settings page, scroll down until you find the section labeled “Host Overrides.” Click on the “+” button to add a new host override.
4. Configure the Host Override: In the host override configuration, you will need to provide the necessary details such as the domain name, IP address, and description. Enter the domain name for which you want to create the host override in the “Host” field. Specify the desired IP address in the “IP Address” field. You can also add an optional description to help you identify the purpose of this host override later.
5. Save and Apply Changes: After configuring the host override, click on the “Save” button to save your changes. Don’t forget to click on the “Apply Changes” button located in the top right corner of the page to apply the new host override configuration. This step ensures that the PfSense DNS resolver starts using the host override for DNS resolutions.
Verifying Host Overrides
To ensure that your host overrides have been successfully added to the PfSense DNS resolver, follow these steps:
1. Open a Command Prompt or Terminal: On your computer, open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux).
2. Flush DNS Cache: To clear your DNS cache, type the appropriate command based on your operating system. For Windows, enter “ipconfig /flushdns”. For macOS/Linux, enter “sudo dscacheutil -flushcache” and press Enter.
3. Perform a DNS Lookup: To check if the host override is working correctly, perform a DNS lookup for the domain name you added in the host override configuration. Use the command “nslookup domain_name” in Command Prompt or Terminal, replacing “domain_name” with the actual domain you configured the host override for. The resolved IP address should match the one you specified in the PfSense host override configuration.
If the IP address matches, congratulations! Your host overrides have been successfully added to the PfSense DNS resolver.
Conclusion
Adding host overrides to the PfSense DNS resolver can be extremely useful when you need to direct specific domain names to different IP addresses within your network. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should now be able to configure host overrides in PfSense and ensure that your DNS resolutions occur according to your specific requirements.