dproxy is a caching DNS server designed for small LANs to enhance internet connectivity. It acts as a mediator between the LAN and the web, accelerating data exchange and improving internet speed.
One of the most notable aspects of dproxy is its modest resource requirements. In fact, it runs great on old 486 machines, making it an excellent option for those looking for a DNS solution without needing high-end hardware.
dproxy also features discovery and service of names from /etc/hosts and dhcp lease files, as well as a human-readable and editable ASCII text cache file. After startup, it drops root privileges early, ensuring greater security for users.
Originally created when Netscape Navigator 4 was the only browser available for Linux and BIND was seen as an overly bloated and security issue-ridden option, dproxy was designed to always provide prompt responses to Netscape. This was particularly important because Netscape 4 had a bug where it would lock up and consume all available CPU while attempting to resolve a name. dproxy was created specifically for use on dial-up gateway machines and was designed to behave well even when the gateway wasn't connected.
Years later, with ADSL and WIFI being widely used and many embedded routers running Linux, dproxy has once again become useful for those in need of some basic DNS support that doesn't take up much flash space.
Some of the new features in the latest release include proper config file support, deny file support for filtering spam, better install support, and various bug fixes. Overall, dproxy is a reliable, simple, and effective solution for those looking for a caching name server.
Version 0.5: N/A