How to improve performance issues with Google Apps using Public DNS

Recently Google introduced Google Public DNS, that can be used as an alternative to your current DNS provider.

If you are, like most of us, a Google Apps user, and have some troubleshooting issues using Google Apps, then we suggest you try re-configuring your DNS configuration to Google Public DNS. All you have to do is use the IP addresses 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 as your DNS servers.

Before putting all the blame to your to your Internet Service Provider, try the Google Public DNS ... any Gmail problems should be long gone.

There are a lot more benefits from using the Google Public DNS - like speeding up your browsing experience. Your DNS servers determine which route your Internet connection takes, which can result in slow speeds if the routing is poor. Fortunately, Google Public DNS, comes quite handy in here as well. 

Why should you try Google Public DNS?

One of the main benefits for using the Google Public DNS are:

• Speed up your browsing experience.
• Improve your security.
• Get the results you expect with absolutely no redirection.

How to set up your Google Public DNS?

Configure your network settings to use the IP addresses 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 as your DNS servers. DNS settings are specified in the TCP/IP Properties window for the selected network connection.

If you are a Microsoft Windows user:

1. Go the Control Panel -> Network and Internet -> Network and Sharing Center -> Change adapter settings.
2. Select the connection for which you want to configure Google Public DNS and right-click -> Properties.
3.  Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) or Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) and then click Properties.
4. Select Use the following DNS server addresses. If there are any IP addresses listed in the Preferred DNS server or Alternate DNS server, write them down for future reference.
5. Replace those addresses with the IP addresses of the Google DNS servers:

• • For IPv4: 8.8.8.8 and/or 8.8.4.4.
  • For IPv6: 2001:4860:4860::8888 and/or 2001:4860:4860::8844

If you are a MAC OX user:

1. From the Apple menu, click System Preferences -> Network.
2. If the lock icon in the lower left-hand corner of the window is locked, click the icon to make changes, and when prompted to authenticate, enter your password.
3. Select the connection for which you want to configure Google Public DNS.
4. Select the DNS tab.
5. Click + to replace any listed addresses with, or add, the Google IP addresses at the top of the list:

• • For IPv4: 8.8.8.8 and/or 8.8.4.4.
  • For IPv6: 2001:4860:4860::8888 and/or 2001:4860:4860::8844

For those of you, who are not quite sure how the DNS works, go to -  "How DNS Works Explained".