Closing VPN connection does not reset DNS

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paulmuller

Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2008 6:35 pm

Post by paulmuller » Tue Nov 25, 2008 6:41 pm
Closing a VPN connection in Viscosity does not reset the DNS settings - or at least not all of them (see "log" below).
Code: Select all
===============================================================================
== Regular DHCP ===============================================================
===============================================================================
ladytom:~ marcelstoer$ scutil --dns
DNS configuration

resolver #1
  nameserver[0] : 138.188.101.186
  nameserver[1] : 138.188.101.189
  order   : 200000

resolver #2
  nameserver[0] : 138.188.101.186
  nameserver[1] : 138.188.101.189
  order   : 100000

resolver #3
  domain : local
  options : mdns
  timeout : 2
  order   : 300000

resolver #4
  domain : 254.169.in-addr.arpa
  options : mdns
  timeout : 2
  order   : 300001
...

===============================================================================
== Viscosity VPN ==============================================================
===============================================================================
ladytom:~ marcelstoer$ scutil --dns
DNS configuration

resolver #1
  domain : viscosity.default.search.domain
  nameserver[0] : 172.17.1.111
  nameserver[1] : 172.17.0.111
  order   : 200000

resolver #2
  domain : local
  options : mdns
  timeout : 2
  order   : 300000

resolver #3
  domain : 254.169.in-addr.arpa
  options : mdns
  timeout : 2
  order   : 300001

resolver #4
  domain : 8.e.f.ip6.arpa
  options : mdns
  timeout : 2
  order   : 300002
...

===============================================================================
== Disconnecting Viscosity VPN ================================================
===============================================================================
ladytom:~ marcelstoer$ scutil --dns
DNS configuration

resolver #1

resolver #2
  domain : local
  options : mdns
  timeout : 2
  order   : 300000

resolver #3
  domain : 254.169.in-addr.arpa
  options : mdns
  timeout : 2
  order   : 300001

resolver #4
  domain : 8.e.f.ip6.arpa
  options : mdns
  timeout : 2
  order   : 300002
...
For me the only remedy seems to be to activate "Use alternate DNS support". However, I know that there must be something wrong with my installation/configuration because Viscosity is supposed to reset DNS settings.

-Paul

James

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Posts: 2313
Joined: Thu Sep 04, 2008 9:27 pm

Post by James » Fri Nov 28, 2008 4:53 am
Hi Paul,

That is certainly a little odd - not something I have seen before. Try checking the "/tmp" directory on your computer while connected. If everything is functioning correctly Viscosity should write your original DNS settings to a temporary file (e.g. "openvpn_dns_tun0") while you are connected. When you disconnect this file will be read and your settings written back. It's possible that if Viscosity is unable to create this file, or it is empty, Viscosity won't have anything to write back. If the file is always there, even while you're disconnected, try deleting it.

There is nothing wrong using the "Use alternate DNS support" option - in fact it is the better way of setting DNS servers under Leopard. The only reason why it is not the default option as some applications (such as VMWare) expect the legacy technique to be used, and so may not correctly recognise the newer technique.

Cheers
James
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paulmuller

Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2008 6:35 pm

Post by paulmuller » Fri Nov 28, 2008 7:19 am
Hi James,

Thanks for the insight into the DNS (re)setting mechanism.
I just double-checked the DNS behavior again. I works as expected over AirPort WiFi, but the described behavior occurred while using a HSDPA 3G USB modem. Both connections use DHCP to set the DNS entries in OS X. Since I don't have the HSDPA modem here right now I can't investigate any further.
I'll get back to this forum if I need more help or if I discover something relevant regarding this issue.

-Paul
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