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Identify devices

On the mobile phone on the private DNS I put what is indicated on installation, on the "installation" page of Next DNS I read at the bottom of the page to enable send device name in the app settings what does it mean? Which is not very clear. Then another fact about "statistics" I read unidentified devices, what are they? How do you see these devices?

25 replies

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    • R_P_M
    • 4 mths ago
    • Reported - view

    Private DNS uses DoT as the connection to NextDNS. To add a device name to the DoT string you use this example:

    device—name-abc123.dns.nextdns.io

    (using two “-“ will give a space and abc123 is your configuration ID from your profile)

      • Lex.1
      • 4 mths ago
      • Reported - view

      Honestly I didn't understand, on private DNS I copy what is written on "installation" so I reported on the recommended. E.g. I reported "abc.dns.nextdns.io" that then what you copy to private DNS seems to me to be the DNS-over-TLS/QUIC.

      Where can I find what you wrote "device–name" and where should I report it? It's not very clear to me...

      • R_P_M
      • 4 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       Private DNS = DNS over TLS

      Instead of using just the private DNS string on setup page, you put your “device name” at the front of the private DNS setting with “-“ in between each. 

      • Lex.1
      • 3 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       Now I invent a fake name, then I look for the correct name of the model, the string I should do is:

      "xyf65-abc123.dns.nextdns.io"

      As an example made, is the string written in this way correct?

      • R_P_M
      • 3 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       Yes, that is correct.

      You can use any name you want to, it is only for your logs and analytics to filter for that connection.

      • Lex.1
      • 3 mths ago
      • Reported - view

        I personally put the name of the cell phone and then id but with a single - I realized later that you have to put the hyphen twice - but does it work the same even with a single hyphen? Because it seems to me that it works even with a single hyphen. That is, I had set it up like this the private dns "xyf65-abc123.dns.nextdns.io" (-) "xyf65--abc123.dns.nextdns.io" (--) It is mandatory to put double --?

      • R_P_M
      • 3 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       Double hyphen (—) is not a requirement. It is for spaces in the device name. 
      For example, you want to use “make model” for device name. To see that in the analytics & logs you use for DoT string: “make—model-abc123.dns.nextdns.io” (double— is the space)

      • Lex.1
      • 3 mths ago
      • Reported - view

        I have also opened a discussion regarding TV, do I have to do the same thing for the TV to be monitored with logs and respective blocks? For example, let's say that I put "LG1" as a name "LG1-abc123.dns.nextdns.io" because by putting the DNS server number that is indicated by installation, I don't see any blocks indicated or TV logs. Does it work the same for TV as for mobile phones?

      • R_P_M
      • 3 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       If the TV system has private DNS then it will work the same as mobile.

      If it is only DNS IPs you can change, you will not be able to “identify” it in your analytics/logs. You will also have to make sure your linked IP is up to date if it changes. (linked IP does not work if your ISP is using CGNAT)

      • Lex.1
      • 3 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       For TV is it better to put only the numbers that I read on the installation of the DNS Server? Does this work even if it changes the ip being dynamic? Or at this point is it better to opt for another DNS provider and not put Next DNS?

      • R_P_M
      • 3 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       The best option would be private DNS because it does not require the IP to be linked. DNS IPv4 numbers are there for when no other options are possible.

      Linking a dynamic IP will work as long as it is up to date. If your IP is changing quite often it might be better to use another DNS option just for the TV (other free services to try: AdGuard DNS or Control D free global dns)

      • Stephen_Scott_Welch
      • 3 mths ago
      • Reported - view

        say what?

      • R_P_M
      • 3 mths ago
      • Reported - view

      What’s your concern?

      • Robert.10
      • 11 days ago
      • Reported - view

      hi I've setup nextdns with Nord.I get unidentified device.Ive tried to understand but I don't get it how to name my device.Do I need to? I'm using a android only .Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.Thank you for your time.

      • R_P_M
      • 8 days ago
      • Reported - view

      How did you setup NextDNS with Nord? Was it only DNS IP addresses?

      • Robert.10
      • 8 days ago
      • Reported - view

      yes.Is that correct?Why would I have unidentified device if all I have is my cellphone

      • Robert.10
      • 8 days ago
      • Reported - view

      With private dns in Android 

      • R_P_M
      • 7 days ago
      • Reported - view

       To add device name to private DNS string, simply put the name followed by “-“ at the front of the current string. Example:

      device-abc123.dns.nextdns.io

      • Robert.10
      • 7 days ago
      • Reported - view

      thank you

    • blue_rouge_62
    • 3 mths ago
    • Reported - view

    Try going to 'About Phone' and get the phone's Model name/number. For instance: for Samsung, the Model name may be SM-A24W?. That would be your device name.

    I agree it's poorly explained, and no where in the NextDNS Android app. I use DNS Crypt, so I add this first, followed by the (-nextdns-profile number). Works perfectly.

      • Lex.1
      • 3 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       But honestly I don't understand by putting the name of the device it is recognized? I don't understand this passage. Honestly I find it not well explained, wouldn't it be appropriate to make changes so that it is more understandable? So the devices I see unidentified is because I didn't put the name on the device?

      • blue_rouge_62
      • 3 wk ago
      • Reported - view

       The idea of putting a name is so you can identify your device from the device's listed as Unidentified, on the Log page. There you are offered the logs of all unidentified, or more importantly, just your own logs. So the name you choose will show up under Logs/All Devices, in the Android app and the online version too. Click this and pick the name you chose, to see the log files connected to your device. Following the correct spelling format, is important to ensure you are using the correct endpoint.

    • Matty
    • 4 wk ago
    • Reported - view

    Yo Next DNS Folks.....these "Identify Device" instructions are so terrible.   Agreeing with the OP here.

    1) On a phone it does not tell us if we are using DNS-over-TLS/QUIC or DNS over HTTPS.   So right away you raise a question rather than answer it.   I still do not know what i use as it just says "private DNS on Android.   Tell us what these are.   Where would we expect these to change, be used, etc.

    2) Second, you provide a format to identify, but do not specify that you need a dash.  Why not simply write "prepend the name and then include a dash so its much more clear?  Verus just showing an example and not even mentioning the main criteria required.

    3) Apps:  "Enable Send device name in the app settings.  How?  Where?   This literally means nothing to those who do not know how to do this.

    • handian
    • 3 wk ago
    • Reported - view

    Can we set the device name if we configure the next dns on the router? 

      • R_P_M
      • 3 wk ago
      • Reported - view

      That depends on what way you use to set NextDNS on the router. With only IP addresses device names are not possible.

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