Question : Setting up airport express - what are dns servers?

Hi.

I just got an airport express. I am connecting it directly to my cable modem, I am using it as the primary wireless network. I am trying to set it up, and get to a part where airport setup is asking for dns servers. I don't know what they are. I think my modem is just using dhcp, I would previously just plug an ethernet cable from it to my macbook and it would just work.

How can I find out this dns servers setting? I would just ignore it but the airpot setup guide keeps saying it's a problem.

I am in NYC using time-warner - do I have to call them and ask for the dns server info? That would be unfortunate indeed!

Thanks

Answer : Setting up airport express - what are dns servers?

Hi  DJ_AM_Juicebox,

Open a terminal window in your mac and type:
NOTE: terminal window - go to finder, click on applications, go to utilities, find 'terminal' and click on it.

cat /etc/resolv.conf

You will see something like
nameserver 111.111.11.12  
(only the numbers should be much different).

Enter those numbers, there may be more than one nameserver.

If you get NOTHING, use
204.74.108.238

that is one of Time Warner's current DNS servers (I just checked it, and if anyone else wishes to check it type the following:

############# terribly geeky section, for those wishing to see if what I typed is proper above#####
TO CHECK who is time warner's DNS record
[you@yoursystem} # nslookup timewarner.com
Non-authoritative answer:
Name:      timewarner.com
Address: 205.188.238.109
Name:      timewarner.com
Address: 205.188.238.181


[you@yoursystem} # nslookup
> set type=ns
> timewarner.com
Non-authoritative answer:
timewarner.com      nameserver = ns1.timewarner.net.
timewarner.com      nameserver = ns5.timewarner.net.
timewarner.com      nameserver = ns3.timewarner.net.
> exit

[you@yoursystem} # dig ns1.timewarner.net
;; ANSWER SECTION:
ns1.timewarner.net.      3389      IN      A      204.74.108.238
################### end of terribly geeky section, ignore ###########

Anyway, try the stuff before the terribly geeky section.  If it doesn't work, post here and I'll help further.