Local DNS Server with Pi-Hole
Introduction:
Recently, I’ve been developing some websites to run on my local network and wanted to create my own DNS server. After some research I realized that building my own custom server would be a lot more work than I wanted to undertake. After a little more searching I came across Pi-Hole which offered a much quicker solution.
Pi-Hole:
Pi-hole is a versatile network-wide ad blocker that goes beyond just blocking ads. With its capability to function as a local DNS server, Pi-hole empowers users to customize their network’s DNS resolutions, allowing for enhanced privacy and control over local domain mappings. In this guide, we’ll delve into harnessing Pi-hole’s potential to set up local DNS entries on a Raspberry Pi.
Understanding Local DNS Entries:
Local DNS entries enable users to assign custom domain names to specific IP addresses within their local network. This functionality is invaluable for various purposes, including accessing local servers, IoT devices, or custom services using user-friendly domain names instead of IP addresses.
Setting Up Pi-hole for Local DNS Entries:
Step 1: Prepare Your Raspberry Pi: Ensure your Raspberry Pi is set up and running with a fresh installation of Raspberry Pi OS. Make sure it’s connected to your network via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. You can follow the instructions here
Step 2: Install Pi-hole: Open a terminal on your Raspberry Pi or SSH into it from another device. Run the following command to start the Pi-hole installation:
curl -sSL https://install.pi-hole.net | bash
Follow the on-screen prompts to customize your Pi-hole installation, including setting up a static IP address and selecting upstream DNS servers.
Step 3: Configure Your Router To ensure all devices on your network use Pi-hole as their DNS server, log in to your router’s admin interface. Navigate to the DHCP settings and change the DNS server to the static IP address of your Raspberry Pi running Pi-hole.
Step 4: Access Pi-hole Web Interface: Once Pi-hole is installed, you can access its web interface by entering your Raspberry Pi’s IP address in a web browser followed by ‘/admin’ (e.g., http://<Pi_IP_Address>/admin). Here, you can monitor network activity, whitelist/blacklist domains, and customize settings.
Step 5: Navigate to Local DNS Settings: In the Pi-hole web interface, navigate to the Settings tab and select the DNS submenu. Scroll down to find the “Local DNS Records” section.
Step 6: Add Local DNS Entries: Click on the “+ Add a new domain” button to add a new local DNS entry. Enter the desired domain name and the corresponding IP address of the local device or server. Repeat this process for each local DNS entry you wish to add.
Step 7: Save and Apply Changes: After adding all desired local DNS entries, click on the “Save” button to apply the changes. Pi-hole will automatically update its DNS records to include the new local entries.
Step 8: Verify Local DNS Resolution: To ensure that your local DNS entries are functioning correctly, try accessing the assigned domain names from devices within your network. You should be able to reach the designated local servers or devices using the custom domain names you’ve configured.
Conclusion:
By leveraging Pi-hole’s local DNS capabilities, you can establish custom domain mappings within your local network, enhancing accessibility and convenience while maintaining privacy and control. Whether it’s accessing local servers or IoT devices, Pi-hole simplifies the process with its intuitive interface and robust functionality. Follow the steps outlined in this guide to unlock the full potential of Pi-hole as a local DNS server on your Raspberry Pi-powered network.
