Simple DNS server using docker-compose and dnsmasq

This repository showcases how you can easily set up a simple DNS server using dnsmasq and docker-compose/docker. DNS entries can be added directly via the docker-compose.yml file, which can be easily automated (e.g. via ansible).

Such a simple DNS server is ideal for internal use (e.g. at home or within a wireguard/tailscale VPN network).

Option 1 - docker-compose

Change the DNS entries in the extra_hosts section in docker-compose.yml. The DNS server can be started by running

docker-compose up -d

from the project directory.

By default, the DNS server will listen all IP addresses/interfaces (equivalent to 0.0.0.0). This can be changed in the ports section by changing 53:53/tcp to <IP address>:53:53/tcp etc.

The server can be stopped by running

docker-compose down

from the project directory.

dnsmasq can be configured by modifying the dnsmasq.conf file. After changing this file, it is necessary to first bring the server down and restart using the aforementioned commands.

Option 2 - Plain docker

The server can be run with plain docker commands as well. First, the docker image is built using

docker build -t simple-docker-dns .

and then started with

docker run -d --name dns_service \
  --restart unless-stopped \
  -v /etc/localtime:/etc/localtime:ro \
  -v $(pwd)/dnsmasq.conf:/etc/dnsmasq.conf:ro \
  -p 53:53/tcp \
  -p 53:53/udp \
  --add-host foo.bar:192.168.0.1 \
  simple-docker-dns

The DNS entries are specified using --add-host <entry>.

The server can subequently be stopped using

docker stop simple-docker-dns

dnsmasq can be configured by modifying the dnsmasq.conf file. After changing this file, it is necessary to first bring the server down, rebuild the docker image and finally start it again.