An embodiment is directed to a method for selectively routing a DNS request in which a DNS request to translate a domain name is received from a local client device. The DNS request is directed to a remote DNS server on a remote network. A link status to the remote network is identified. If the link status indicates that a connection to the remote network is not possible, the DNS request is routed to a locally embedded DNS server. If the link status indicates that a connection to the remote network is possible, the DNS request is routed to the remote DNS server on the remote network.