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Date: Sat, 25 Feb 2012 13:42:12 -0500
From: JimR <NotReallyMyEmail@example.com>
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Subject: Is my home network set up right?
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I'd like to validate that my home network is set up in an optimal 
fashion, especially in how I am handling DNS.  Some people recently have 
suggested that DNS may be at fault for some intermittent errors that I see.

Here is how I am set up. The DNS set on the Linux machine may be 
redundant, since I hope that my router provides DNS to the house.

ISP is cable.    Don't like it, but there's no other choice if I want 
reasonable speed.  I own a Zoom cable modem.

Cisco wired/wireless router/access point.  I added Static DNS in there 
of 4.2.2.2 and 4.2.2.4 (I do not use my cable ISP's DNS since I have 
heard bad reports).

Main desktop computer runs Mandriva Linux x86_64, ethernet connection to 
router. Has gateway set up as the router's IP 192.168.1.1.  Has DNS as 
4.2.2.2 and 4.2.2.4.

Laptop1 runs Kubuntu Linux x86_64, wifi connection to router.  Has 
gateway of 192.168.1.1.  /etc/resolve.conf has following:
domain hsdl.mycableisp.net <== suspicious to me!
search hsdl.mycableisp.net <== suspicious to me!
nameserver 192.168.1.1
nameserver 4.2.2.2
nameserver 4.2.2.4

Laptop2 runs Kubuntu Linux i686, wifi connection to router.  Has gateway 
of 192.168.1.1.  /etc/resolve.conf has following:
domain hsdl.mycableisp.net <== suspicious to me!
search hsdl.mycableisp.net <== suspicious to me!
nameserver 192.168.1.1
nameserver 4.2.2.2
nameserver 4.2.2.4

Laptop3 runs Windows 7 64-bit. wifi connection to router. Has gateway of 
192.168.1.1
Obtain DNS server address automatically is enabled

Aux desktop runs Windows XP 32-bit. wifi connection to router. Has 
gateway of 192.168.1.1
Obtain DNS server address automatically is enabled

Stratosphere android smartphone, only set the wifi SSID, everything else 
is automagic.

Thanks for any suggestions

JimR