Domain Name Resolution Problems with PLDT and Globe DNS Servers

If you are getting weird problems connecting to the web, and are using PLDT’s or Globe’s DSL service, we may have a stumbled upon a less than optimal DNS entry on our side. 

Lately, we have been receiving reports from our hosted clients using PLDT  and Globe internet connection that they cannot view websites.  During the investigation of the problem, we initially thought that there was temporary problem with PLDT’s DNS servers. As out test below would show, some other DNS servers on the Net did not have the same problem.

The details of our test show the following:

1. When the client is using PLDT’s DNS server (from DSL),  the DNS query will fail.

>www.m*********.com
Server:  ns2.i-gate.net
Address:  58.69.254.136

*** ns2.i-gate.net can’t find www.m**********.com: Server failed
2. When the client is using OPen DNS server, the DNS query returns a proper answer and succeed.

> server 208.67.222.222
>www.m*********.com

Non-authoritative answer:
Name:    www.m*********.com
Address:  202.91.163.2

So we escalated the problem to PLDT’s top network honchos and asked them what they were seeing from their side. It seems that both PLDT and Globe servers could not resolve the IP address of one of the Name Servers on our side. But other name servers on the internet could.

While we were troubeshooting the problem, we advised our clients to use OPENDNS when encountering problems that are related to PLDT and Globe DNS server. Here are the instructions on how to change DNS settings to OpenDNS

After exhaustive investigation, it seems that our NS records did not have the accompanying A records. (In layman’s terms, it was not fully compatible with some of the DNS servers out there). So we corrected the problem, and with help from PLDT DNS guys,we were able to get confirmation that the DNS servers are now in sync and compatible with PLDT DNS.

Warning about Copyright Infringement

BNS would like to remind our hosted clients to respect IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) of copyright owners. It is to warn everybody about Copyright Infringement of software. If one is not careful with the software they use, they might be charged with software piracy which is punishable by law.

One of our clients just got an email from a copyrighted software about their use of vbulletin software which was unlicensed by the hosted clients.  Not only is this embarrasing, it could subject the site owner to possible legal liabilities.

The owner of the software has the right to sue, and if one is proven guilty of copyright infringement, charges includes an immediate order to stop using the software, confiscation of other items involved, paying the owner of the copyright any profits you received from using the software and other damages.

E-Extension.gov.ph

The electronic delivery of extension service is a network of institutions that provide a more efficient alternative to a traditional extension system for agriculture, fisheries and natural resources sectors. It maximizes the use of information and communication technology to attain a modernized agriculture and fisheries sector. It focuses on creating an electronic and interactive bridge where farmers, fishers and other stakeholders meet and transact to enhance productivity, profitability and global competitiveness.

Their Mission: To enhance and institutionalize the e-Extension system in agriculture, fisheries, and natural resources for optimal application, utilization and exchange among users and partners

Isuzu Gencars Online

Isuzu Gencars, Inc. is a dealer of ISUZU vehicles in the Philippines. Their preventive maintenance services include general auto repairs; tune-up services, break service and repair, A/C services, transmission services, starter repair and replacement, clutch repair, front and rear end suspension and electrical short and charging system repairs.

Their mission is: “To be one of the Best Dealer in the motor vehicle industry, committed to market only the best products and to provide quality service to achieve complete customer satisfaction.”

Visit Isuzu Gencars at their branches in Makati, Batangas, San Pablo, Laguna and Legaspi City.

Spotlight: Danalex Graphics

Danalex Graphics and Call Center is a multi-service company based in Hawaii and in the Philippines. They provide the most effective communication and graphic design tools to help their clients get the necessary support for a successful business while maintaining their corporate identity out of a reasonable price, at the same time, experience a guaranteed total satisfaction from their services.

Danalex Graphics provide Graphic Design, Web Design and Development and Telemarketing Services.

Gods-answer-to-cancer.com

God’s Answer to Cancer is an inspiring site which was put up by the members of Charismatic ‘Inter-Faith Church Ministries Inc”. who have been promoting anti cancer and health.

According to Bishop Dr. Howard E. May, the website is not about medicine; but about ENERGY. By charging your body with “energy”, boosting what is called the Energy of Life, or “Chi” Energy, you can heal yourself by energizing your immune system Kill the bad germs and stop the diseases caused by parasites! Parasites are known to cause many of our diseases!
Health is about energy! Energy is life! Here is the Truth to change your life!

Internet Security Update: Rootkits

From Pandasecurity.com

Current-day cyber-criminals work for financial gain, usually by developing software for third parties.

Regardless of the final objective -stealing confidential information or crashing systems- the basic requirement for targeted attacks to be successful is to go unnoticed. That’s the reason behind the enormous increase in malware* using rootkit techniques.

Rootkits in themselves are not malicious. However, they have become the perfect weapon for cyber-crime due to their capacity to go unnoticed by security solutions (they hide as kernel modules and low level hooks, and by patching undocumented operating system functions).

Common myths

Contrary to popular belief, rootkits can be detected and it’s also false that there is nothing that your company can do to protect itself from them and the programs they hide (tailor-made to act remotely).

Send A Christmas Gift to the Philippines

Looking to send a christmas gift to the philippines now that Christmas is just around the corner? Look no further than at Barangay.ph. This is where you will find the largest selection of products under one “roof” from the most prominent vendors in the Philippines.

Check out some of the site’s offerings. Its electronics section offers Apple Ipods…although there is no mention of the iPhone- one of my Christmas wish list. This site is ideal if you want to send a birthday present, a large appliance, a special little something or prefer to one-stop shop with a credit card instead of assembling and shipping a balikbayan box.

Useability Analysis:
Doing some shopping on the site, it appears that you have to be a registered customer before you can access the final checkout counter.

I used my google toolbar’s autofill to quickly fill in the form. Filling the form was thus made quickly. I also noticed that they have breadcrumb trails at the top. Another useful navigation tool.

However, the site requires that you agree to their return policy. I was NOT able to locate where the return policy was. So this is one minor feedback for improvement of the site.

The credit card form was secured by SSL certificate from GTE cybertrust. So I don’t have any trust issues there.

The site also provides additional info on their site that includes upcoming information about Associations, banks and Chruches. The information about Churches will allow one to keep in touch with one’s faith.

While the site accepts payment via Credit card,  I wonder if it also accepts Paypal?

Here are some items from the site that are on my personal takam takam list: Tuyo!

And then after eating my meal with the bottled tuyo. I can finish off with the delectable almond crunch! Yummy!

San Rafael bags Best E-LGU municipal category – Phil. Web Awards 2007

The Municipality of San Rafael, Bulacan is this year’s Best E-LGU website for the municipal category in this year’s 10th Philippine Web Awards.

It was indeed timely for San Rafael as they just launched their website earlier this year. “It was not that easy”, according to Mr. Emmanuel San Roque, MPDC officer and who’s behind the whole idea of putting up the website. You can see the whole story here

San Rafael also won the Peoples Choice Award for having the most number of SMS and online votes.

Our warm congratulations, Municipality of San Rafael.