Serverless-dns is a customizable DNS resolver designed for deployment on various serverless platforms like Cloudflare Workers, Deno Deploy, Fastly, and Fly.io. It allows users to leverage these platforms' global distribution for low-latency DNS resolution and offers features such as custom blocklists (using host files or external APIs), DNS over HTTPS, and logging capabilities. The project aims to provide a flexible and performant DNS solution that's easy to deploy and configure within serverless environments.
The GitHub repository "serverless-dns" introduces RethinkDNS, a highly flexible and performant DNS resolver designed for deployment on various serverless computing platforms, including Cloudflare Workers, Deno Deploy, Fastly, and Fly.io. This allows users to leverage the benefits of these platforms, such as global distribution, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, for their DNS resolution needs.
RethinkDNS prioritizes privacy and security. It boasts built-in support for DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and DNS over TLS (DoT), encrypting DNS queries and protecting user privacy. It also offers extensive filtering capabilities, enabling users to block ads, trackers, malware, and other unwanted content. This filtering is achieved through customizable blocklists, allowing users to tailor their DNS resolution experience according to their specific requirements and preferences. Furthermore, RethinkDNS supports DNSSEC validation, adding an extra layer of security by verifying the authenticity and integrity of DNS responses.
Beyond its core functionality, RethinkDNS incorporates several advanced features. It provides detailed analytics and logging, giving users insights into their DNS traffic and enabling them to monitor and analyze their internet usage. It also includes support for custom DNS records, allowing users to define their own DNS entries for specific domains. This can be useful for local development, internal network configurations, and other specialized scenarios.
The project's serverless nature simplifies deployment and management. Users can readily deploy RethinkDNS to their chosen platform with minimal configuration. The repository provides clear instructions and example scripts for each supported platform, making it easy to get started. Furthermore, the serverless architecture inherently handles scaling and availability, ensuring that DNS resolution remains reliable and responsive even under high load.
In essence, RethinkDNS offers a modern, privacy-focused, and highly configurable DNS resolution solution that leverages the power of serverless computing. Its flexibility, security features, and ease of deployment make it a compelling alternative to traditional DNS resolvers.
Summary of Comments ( 6 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43880883
Hacker News commenters generally praised RethinkDNS for its flexibility in deployment options and its privacy focus. Several users appreciated its modern tech stack, specifically mentioning the use of Rust and its compatibility with various serverless platforms. Some highlighted its potential as a lightweight, self-hosted alternative to established DNS providers. A few commenters questioned the performance implications of serverless deployments for DNS resolution, particularly concerning latency. Others discussed the practicality of using Cloudflare Workers due to their free tier limitations and potential conflicts of interest given Cloudflare's own DNS services. There was also a brief discussion regarding the effectiveness of DNS-based blocking compared to other ad-blocking methods.
The Hacker News post titled "RethinkDNS Resolver That Deploys to CF Workers, Deno Deploy, Fastly, Fly.io" (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43880883) generated a moderate amount of discussion, with several commenters expressing interest in the project and offering their perspectives.
Several users discussed the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of self-hosting a DNS resolver using the various deployment options. One user questioned the cost of running the resolver on Cloudflare Workers, specifically regarding the cost of egress traffic. Another user mentioned their positive experience running a similar setup on Fly.io, praising its simplicity and affordability. This prompted a discussion about the bandwidth usage and associated costs for DNS resolution, with some users suggesting that costs could be manageable for personal use but potentially prohibitive for larger-scale applications.
There was a thread discussing alternative DNS solutions, including NextDNS, highlighting its features and pricing. Some users expressed interest in the privacy implications of using different DNS providers, with one user suggesting that self-hosting could offer greater control over data privacy. This led to a brief discussion about the trustworthiness of various DNS providers and the importance of carefully considering their privacy policies.
A few commenters also inquired about the technical aspects of the project, including the DNS over HTTPS (DoH) implementation and the potential performance implications of using various deployment platforms. One user raised the concern of potential latency when using geographically distant servers. Another user asked about the project's support for DNSSEC, a security protocol designed to protect against DNS spoofing.
While the overall number of comments is not exceptionally high, the discussion provides valuable insights into the practical considerations and potential benefits of self-hosting a DNS resolver. The comments explore the cost-benefit analysis of different platforms, delve into privacy implications, and touch upon technical details relevant to performance and security. They offer a balanced perspective, highlighting both the potential advantages and challenges associated with the project.