Simple DNS Plus News2023-09-29T19:18:00ZJH Softwarehttps://simpledns.plus/newshttps://simpledns.plus/news/84Simple DNS Plus v. 9.1 build 115 released2023-09-29T19:18:00Z<p>Simple DNS Plus v. 9.1 build 115 is now available at https://simpledns.plus/download</p>
<p>In this release, we have added an additional <a href="https://simpledns.plus/kb/31">plug-in programming interface</a>, which means that certain plug-ins no longer require an "unlimited zones" license.</p>
<p>Specifically:</p>
<ul>
<li>The <a href="https://simpledns.plus/plugin-fixedhostname">Fixed Host Name plug-in</a> - an updated version is included in the Simple DNS Plus v. 9.1 build 115 installer.</li>
<li>The "CNAME" variant of the <a href="https://simpledns.plus/plugin-geodns">GeoDNS plug-in</a> - an updated version is <a href="https://github.com/jhsoftware/sdnspi-GeoDNS/releases">available for download</a></li>
</ul>
<p>It is also possible to update 3rd party plug-ins based on the "ILookupAnswer" interface to the new "ILookupRecord" interface (and then no longer require an "unlimited zones" license) provided that those plug-ins only return a single DNS record and no RCODE or flags.</p>
<p>Since our last newsletter, we have also released v. 9.1 builds 111-114 with a number of bug fixes - see https://simpledns.plus/relnotes-9-1</p>
<p>We recommend that all users update to at least build 114.</p>
https://simpledns.plus/news/83Simple DNS Plus v. 9.1 build 110 released2023-08-18T12:18:00Z<p>Simple DNS Plus v. 9.1 build 110 is now available at <a href="https://simpledns.plus/download">https://simpledns.plus/download</a></p>
<p>This release includes the following updates:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Improved:</strong> Resolver algorithm improved and optimized.</li>
<li><strong>Fixed:</strong> Uptime value in the status bar and stats not accumulated for multiple start-pause sessions.</li>
<li><strong>Added:</strong> In console mode (sdnsmain.exe -c) type c=clear cache, s=status, p=pause/resume</li>
</ul>
<p>This is NOT a critical update, but we do recommend that all v. 9.1 users update to this build.</p>
https://simpledns.plus/news/82Updated GeoDNS plug-in2023-03-29T11:40:00Z<p>An updated <a href="https://simpledns.plus/plugin-geodns">GeoDNS plug-in</a> is now available for <a href="https://github.com/jhsoftware/sdnspi-GeoDNS/releases">download</a>.</p>
<p>Previous versions of this plug-in used an IP-to-country database from software77.net, which unfortunately is no longer available.</p>
<p>To replace this database / supplier, we found two new free IP-to-Country databases from</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://db-ip.com/db/download/ip-to-country-lite">https://db-ip.com/db/download/ip-to-country-lite</a></li>
<li><a href="https://dev.maxmind.com/geoip/geolite2-free-geolocation-data">https://dev.maxmind.com/geoip/geolite2-free-geolocation-data</a></li>
</ul>
<p>Rather than implementing direct support for their respective file formats, we have created our own data file format (for smaller file size and faster load), and provide converter utilities for their files. This also makes it easier to added files from other suppliers in the future.</p>
<p>The updated plug-in now also supports IPv6 addresses.</p>
<p>And the "IP" variant of the plug-in has been replaced with a new "Clone" variant. The "Clone" variant clones response A/AAAA records from the host name specified for the region of the client.</p>
<p>The updated plug-in is version 2.0.0.0901 - representing a new versioning scheme that we will use for all plug-ins going forward (the previous release was version 9.1.1).<br />
(The first 3 parts of the version number are now "semantic", and the fourth part indicates which version of Simple DNS Plus the plug-in is compatible with).</p>
https://simpledns.plus/news/81Simple DNS Plus v. 9.1 released2021-10-28T22:02:00Z<p>Simple DNS Plus version 9.1 is here!</p>
<p>A new JavaScript plug-in lets you write your own custom logic for DNS query processing in JavaScript. Your script code runs efficiently via Google's V8 JavaScript engine (the same that powers Chrome and Node.js).</p>
<p>V. 9.1 has a new plug-in interface updated to use the asynchronous programming model (async/await), improving performance by allowing simple plug-ins to execute directly in the main thread, while making it easier to take advantage of asynchronous operations with I/O bound plug-ins.</p>
<p>See the details and full list of updates in v. 9.1 at <a href="https://simpledns.plus/kb/203">https://simpledns.plus/kb/203</a></p>
<p>Version 9.1 is now available for download at <a href="https://simpledns.plus/download">https://simpledns.plus/download</a></p>
<p>IMPORTANT: For licensed users of earlier versions of Simple DNS Plus, v. 9.1 may or may not be a free upgrade depending on when you purchased / upgraded to your current license. If you purchased or upgraded to your license on or after October 28th 2020, then the upgrade to v. 9.1 is free (one year free upgrade protection), and you can use your existing license key to activate v. 9.1. Otherwise, you will need to purchase an upgrade - see <a href="https://simpledns.plus/pricing#upgrade">https://simpledns.plus/pricing#upgrade</a></p>
<p>If you are not sure when you purchased / upgraded to your current license, you can check your license status at <a href="https://simpledns.plus/license-chk">https://simpledns.plus/license-chk</a></p>
<p>We hope you like the new features in Simple DNS Plus v. 9.1, and as always, we look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions for further development.</p>
https://simpledns.plus/news/79Simple DNS Plus v. 9.0 released2021-09-28T22:45:00Z<p>Simple DNS Plus version 9.0 is here!</p>
<p>Now with DNS over TLS (DoT) / DNS over HTTPS (DoH) - allowing DNS clients to make DNS queries over an encrypted connection protecting privacy.<br />
This can be used by Windows 11 (being released next week) clients as well as MacOS/IOS, Android, and major browsers.</p>
<p>Simple DNS Plus v. 9.0 also supports a new "HTTPS" DNS record type - to speed up secure web-site access.<br />
This is currently supported by the Safari browser, and will soon be supported by other browsers as well.</p>
<p>See the details and full list of updates in v. 9.0 at <a href="https://simpledns.plus/kb/194">https://simpledns.plus/kb/194</a></p>
<p>Version 9.0 is now available for download at <a href="https://simpledns.plus/download">https://simpledns.plus/download</a></p>
<p>IMPORTANT: For licensed users of earlier versions of Simple DNS Plus, v. 9.0 may or may not be a free upgrade depending on when you purchased / upgraded to your current license. If you purchased or upgraded to your license on or after September 28th 2020, then the upgrade to v. 9.0 is free (one year free upgrade protection), and you can use your existing license key to activate v. 9.0. Otherwise, you will need to purchase an upgrade - see <a href="https://simpledns.plus/pricing#upgrade">https://simpledns.plus/pricing#upgrade</a></p>
<p>If you are not sure when you purchased / upgraded to your current license, you can check your license status at <a href="https://simpledns.plus/license-chk">https://simpledns.plus/license-chk</a></p>
<p>We hope you like the new features in Simple DNS Plus v. 9.0, and as always, we look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions for further development.</p>
https://simpledns.plus/news/78Simple DNS Plus v. 8.0 build 108 released (DNS Flag Day update)2019-01-30T19:34:00Z<p>Simple DNS Plus v. 8.0 build 108 is now available at <a href="https://simpledns.plus/download">https://simpledns.plus/download</a>.</p>
<p>This lets users take part in <a href="https://dnsflagday.net">DNS Flag Day</a> optimizing DNS by removing some EDNS workarounds:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Updated:</strong> EDNS can now be disabled for outbound requests only. Option to enable/use EDNS has been moved from Options dialog / DNS / Miscellaneous section to Options dialog / DNS / Outbound DNS requests section.<br />
There is no reason to disable EDNS for incoming requests. If such requests are not blocked by a non-compliant firewall, responses likely won't be either.
Disabling EDNS for incoming requests caused DNSSEC signed zones to fail validation (confusing some users), and the implementation had issues related to <a href="https://dnsflagday.net">DNS flag day</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Updated:</strong> When resolving with EDNS enabled, outbound requests will not be re-tried/re-sent without EDNS in as many scenarios as earlier.<br />
This is done to increase performance and in honor of <a href="https://dnsflagday.net">DNS flag day</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Removed:</strong> EDNS0 startup test (Options dialog / DNS / Miscellaneous section / "Test EDNS0 at startup...").<br />
This is done for simplification and in honor of <a href="https://dnsflagday.net">DNS flag day</a> (this feature allowed non-compliant firewalls to go undetected).</li>
</ul>
<p>This is NOT a critical update. In fact, it is not even a necessary update, but we suggest that users install it by February 1st to participate in and help make <a href="https://dnsflagday.net">DNS Flag Day</a> a greater success :-)</p>
https://simpledns.plus/news/77Simple DNS Plus v. 8.0 build 105 released2018-10-08T08:23:00Z<p>Simple DNS Plus v. 8.0 build 105 is now available at <a href="https://simpledns.plus/download">https://simpledns.plus/download</a>.</p>
<p>This release includes the following bug fixes:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Fixed:</strong> Adjusting computer clock (manually or automatically) while Simple DNS Plus is running might cause various issues / crashes.</li>
<li><strong>Fixed:</strong> Retrieving/updating/deleting a DNSSEC key through HTTP API for a non-existing zone caused program crash.</li>
<li><strong>Fixed:</strong> Retrieving/updating/deleting a DNSSEC key through HTTP API failed if key ID contained one or more upper case characters - including automatically generated ZSKs ("Auto###").</li>
<li><strong>Fixed:</strong> Program crash when receiving DNSSEC enabled DNS request for data in a DNSSEC signed zone with certain characteristics.</li>
<li><strong>Fixed:</strong> Resolving certain domains names under certain conditions and certain settings caused a large number of duplicate outbound requests to be sent.</li>
</ul>
<p>This is NOT a critical update, and you only need to update if you are affected by the issue described above.</p>
https://simpledns.plus/news/75Simple DNS Plus v. 8.0 released2018-07-02T18:45:00Z<p>Simple DNS Plus version 8.0 is here!</p>
<p>Now with automatic DNSSEC signing (automatically re-signs a zone whenever DNS records are updated), automatic DNSSEC ZSK rollover, and many other DNSSEC enhancements including access to all DNSSEC functions via the HTTP API.</p>
<p>See the full list of enhancements in v. 8.0 at <a href="https://simpledns.plus/kb/164/new-in-simple-dns-plus-v8-0">https://simpledns.plus/kb/164/new-in-simple-dns-plus-v8-0</a></p>
<p>Version 8.0 is now available for download at <a href="https://simpledns.plus/download">https://simpledns.plus/download</a></p>
<p>IMPORTANT: For licensed users of earlier versions of Simple DNS Plus, v. 8.0 may or may not be a free upgrade depending on when you purchased / upgraded to your current license. If you purchased or upgraded to your license on or after July 2nd 2017, then the upgrade to v. 8.0 is free (one year free upgrade protection), and you can use your existing license key to activate v. 8.0. Otherwise, you will need to purchase an upgrade - see <a href="https://simpledns.plus/pricing#upgrade">https://simpledns.plus/pricing#upgrade</a></p>
<p>If you are not sure when you purchased / upgraded to your current license, you can check your license status at <a href="https://simpledns.plus/license-chk">https://simpledns.plus/license-chk</a></p>
<p>We hope you like the new features in Simple DNS Plus v. 8.0, and as always, we look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions for further development.</p>
https://simpledns.plus/news/74Simple DNS Plus v. 7.0 build 102 released2018-06-10T23:30:00Z<p>Simple DNS Plus v. 7.0 build 102 is now available at <a href="https://simpledns.plus/download">https://simpledns.plus/download</a>.</p>
<p>This release includes the following updates and bug fixes:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Added:</strong> Option to disable HTTP API v. 1 and host v. 2 at root.</li>
<li><strong>Fixed:</strong> DNS requests for the name of an empty node (more than one level between names of two records) in a local zone resulted in an NXDOMAIN response (should be NODATA).</li>
<li><strong>Fixed:</strong> EDNS0 details for outbound DNS responses were logged even when option for logging EDNS0 details was off.</li>
<li><strong>Update:</strong> Updated included HTTP Redirector plug-in to support IPv6 and SSL (v. 5.2 build 11). <a href="https://simpledns.plus/news/73">Details</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Update:</strong> Updated included DHCP Server plug-in to prevent view columns collapsing to zero width and not be visible (v. 1.0 build 301)</li>
</ul>
<p>This is NOT a critical update, and you only need to update if you are affected by the issue described above.</p>
https://simpledns.plus/news/73HTTP Redirector plug-in now supports IPv6 and SSL - and is open source2018-05-24T17:50:00Z<p>The <a href="https://simpledns.plus/plugin-httpredir">HTTP Redirector plug-in</a> redirects HTTP requests for specified host names (and optionally sub-names).</p>
<p>This plug-in has been updated to also support IPv6 and SSL:</p>
<p><img src="https://simpledns.plus/news/images/73/1.png" alt="" /></p>
<p>And the source code has been published at <a href="https://github.com/jhsoftware/sdnspi-HttpRedir">https://github.com/jhsoftware/sdnspi-HttpRedir</a></p>
<p>For HTTP redirection to work with HTTPS / SSL, you need to bind an SSL certificate to the IP address / host name / port used. This is done the same way as with the HTTP API - as described at <a href="https://simpledns.plus/kb/163">https://simpledns.plus/kb/163</a></p>
<p>The updated plug-in is now available for download at <a href="https://github.com/jhsoftware/sdnspi-HttpRedir/releases">https://github.com/jhsoftware/sdnspi-HttpRedir/releases</a>. Shut down Simple DNS Plus, place the downloaded .dll file in the PlugIns folder (typically C:\Program Files\Simple DNS Plus\PlugIns), and start Simple DNS Plus again.
This updated plug-in will also be included with Simple DNS Plus in v. 7.0 build 102 and later.</p>