I have a problem using DNS and OpenVPN

I have one local DNS server (192.168.0.2)

and a VPN connection on my desktop computer

there is also a DNS srever for the VPN (10.8.0.1)

then I tried to put this in my resolv.conf file:

nameserver 192.168.0.2
nameserver 10.8.0.1
search localdomain vpndomain


The problem is: when querying a name the first dns (the local one) reply with a negative response and then reoslution stops :-(

Is there a way to change the resolution behavior so that resolution try the other nameservers not only if the query times out but also when a negative reply is received.

I know nothing about openvpn. Our company uses Cisco VPN client on XP. With Cisco VPN, they implement a feature called "split-dns" that addresses the very problem you are having.

One solution that might address your problem is to install Bind/DNS locally on your desktop that you are creating the openvpn VPN tunnel on and then configure it to forward all requests for vpndomain to 10.8.0.1. All other DNS requests could either be resolved by the local DNS server (root zone is loaded) or forwarded to 192.168.0.2. Obviously, your resolv.conf would have to point to 127.0.0.1 for this to work.

Might be worth a try at least!

Ok thanks for your reply.

I've solved the problem by adding my local DNS to the VPN.

With some modification to named.conf (setting the local DNS as a slave for our vpn domain so that it forwards all requests concerning the vpn to the right DNS) I was able to resolve names on the VPN

Now the problem was to make samba browsing work which seems to be difficult (and maybe not possible) because we can't broadcast over the vpn (routed openvpn)).

Anyway I think we'll go for NFS sharing (I've noticed some speed differences and NFS seems to be faster )

Ho and then any links to some open source or freeware windows NFS tools? (I've tried omninfs from M$ but this is not only for NFS and I'd prefer use a lightweight tool since some of the windows computers are olds and slow )