Scott writes:

So where do you get updates on domain names from?

Since I have a nameserver, the updates come directly from the authoritative
name servers for each domain, in real time.

Without that, your packets should go to some default server somewhere.

They don't go anywhere if the DNS cannot resolve the name.

Maybe the problem lies with THAT server, wherever it is.

I can't reach the servers with direct IP addressing, either.

Do you have a router running on your system with any sort of firewall?

Yes. But there is nothing in the firewall that says "exclude Air Force
traffic."

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