Difference between systemd-resolved and dnsmasq
Both systemd-resolved and dnsmasq are DNS services, but they serve different purposes and are often used in different contexts.
1. systemd-resolved
Purpose:
- DNS Resolution :
systemd-resolvedis primarily a local DNS resolver that provides network name resolution to applications running on your machine. It integrates closely with the systemd suite of tools. - NetworkManager Integration : It works with NetworkManager and other network configuration tools to provide per-interface DNS settings, supporting scenarios where different network interfaces (e.g., Wi-Fi, Ethernet, VPN) may require different DNS servers.
- DNS Caching : Provides basic DNS caching but is not as advanced as
dnsmasqin terms of caching capabilities. - DNS over TLS (DoT): Supports DNS over TLS for encrypted DNS queries, improving privacy and security by encrypting DNS queries between your system and the DNS server.
Common Use Cases:
- Desktop environments: Often used in Linux desktop distributions like Ubuntu, where you need automatic handling of DNS when switching between networks.
- Simple DNS resolution for local applications.
Limitations:
- Basic DNS features :
systemd-resolvedis mainly a simple DNS resolver and lacks advanced features like DHCP support or extensive DNS customization. - Limited caching: Basic caching compared to dedicated DNS services.
2. dnsmasq
Purpose:
- DNS Caching :
dnsmasqis a lightweight DNS forwarder and caching server. It caches DNS queries for faster responses to repeated requests. - DHCP Server : It also functions as a DHCP server, providing IP addresses to devices in a local network. This makes it popular for use in small home or office networks where you want a lightweight DHCP and DNS service.
- TFTP Server: Supports TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol), often used in network booting.
- Custom DNS Configuration :
dnsmasqallows for more granular DNS configurations, such as defining specific IP addresses for domain names, managing custom DNS routes, or forwarding certain DNS queries to specific DNS servers.
Common Use Cases:
- Small or medium networks: Often used as a DNS and DHCP server for home networks, offices, or small cloud setups.
- DNS caching for faster lookups: Caching speeds up DNS resolution for frequent queries.
- VPNs: Commonly used in conjunction with VPNs to provide DNS resolution and IP management for VPN clients.
- Routers and embedded systems: Frequently found in embedded devices like routers, where lightweight services are crucial.
Limitations:
- No DNS over TLS: Does not natively support DNS over TLS, although it can be combined with other services to achieve this.
Key Differences:
| Feature | systemd-resolved |
dnsmasq |
|---|---|---|
| DNS Forwarding | Yes | Yes |
| DNS Caching | Basic | More advanced |
| DHCP Server | No | Yes |
| NetworkManager Integration | Strong integration with NetworkManager | Not tightly integrated |
| DNS over TLS (DoT) | Yes | No |
| Configuration | Automatically configured for per-interface DNS | Highly customizable for DNS and DHCP |
| Primary Use | Local DNS resolution on desktops | DNS and DHCP services for small networks, VPNs, etc. |
| TFTP Support | No | Yes |
When to use each:
-
Use
systemd-resolvedwhen you need a basic DNS resolver integrated with system tools like NetworkManager, especially in desktop environments where per-interface DNS handling is important. -
Use
dnsmasqwhen you need a lightweight DNS server with advanced DNS caching and DHCP services, particularly in network or server environments (like home networks, small offices, VPNs, or cloud setups).
You can even use both services together, with dnsmasq providing advanced DNS and DHCP functionality and systemd-resolved handling DNS resolution locally on your machine.