For many computer system users, the concept of a dynamic DNS server is somewhat abstract. Most users have no idea what a dynamic DNS is and why this type of server is used. Meanwhile, there is nothing particularly complicated in understanding this term and in setting up the service. Further, theoretical information and practical solutions are offered for consideration that can be easily mastered by anyone who is not even familiar with these services.
Dynamic DNS: what is it and what is it for?
The technology of using DNS servers itself initially assumes that they act as peculiar interpreters that allow you to access Internet resources without entering a digital combination of the site address corresponding to its IP address.
Everyone knows that for a resource in the address bar of the browser only the name of a certain page is written, consisting of letters, numbers or special characters, and the DNS server by the name of the resource redirects to the corresponding IP.
Dynamic DNS works in a slightly different way, allowing you to assign domain names to any device (a separate terminal, network drive , etc.) for which the use of dynamic IP is set. In this case, completely different IP addresses can be used, for example, obtained through DHCP or IPCP. But the main difference from static technology is that the information on the server can be updated fully automatically. When connecting to the resource from other machines, their users will not even know that at certain times the IP address changes.
Dynamic IP Issues
One of the fundamental principles of operation of dynamic DNS servers is the presence of a dynamic IP address on the client machine. If you use a static address for its use, you may need to pay a considerable amount of money. That is why when setting up DDNS you do not need to buy a static address.
Special software clients installed on user terminals can perform such a conversion without user intervention.
Benefits of Using DDNS
But why then does the dynamic DNS server apply? As the simplest example, we can consider video surveillance, organized by installing a registrar and IP cameras.
It seems that the instructions say that this model supports connecting via a router with the ability to control what is happening via the Internet, but in reality it is impossible to connect without a DDNS server.
When using DDNS technology, users get undeniable advantages, among which the following can be singled out separately:
- the ability to use in private networks when accessing services and services of completely different protocols and ports;
- no need to purchase a static IP with reference to a specific device;
- simplified ability to remotely connect to computers through RDP clients;
- network monitoring (tracking computers that are online or disconnected from the network);
- remote control and reboot of computers when problems are detected even if the network does not have an external IP (a normal Internet connection is sufficient);
- constant monitoring of its dynamic address for organizing links to its own resource;
- the possibility of using site map generators without restrictions on the number of pages and the mandatory registration
- broken link tracking;
- information exchange between computers directly, bypassing its storage on an intermediate server.
Dynamic DNS: setup (general principles)
As for tuning issues, which to many seem to be something from the realm of fiction, there is nothing particularly complicated here. In order not to deal with the procedures for configuring the router, port forwarding and many more complex actions, it is easiest to immediately turn to specialized applications and services that are specially created to simplify the work.
Basically, the setup boils down to installing a special client application and adding your own resource name, for which three third-level domain names will be provided. This is not always convenient, so the ability to get a name even at the first level has been added to some programs.
Most popular platforms and clients
Dynamic DNS is widely used today. For example, Microsoft for Active Directory uses Kerberos authentication without the need to manually distribute keys.
One of the most popular platforms for UNIX systems is BIND, which even allows compatibility with Windows NT. Also, dynamic DNS is provided free of charge by many hosting companies, allowing users to change the content content through a standard web interface.
If we talk about client applications and services, the following are most popular among them:
- ASUS DDNS
- No-IP
- HE Free DNS Service ;
- DNS-O-Matic;
- Zone Edit;
- DynDNS.
Consider the configuration of DDNS on the example of each client.
ASUS DDNS
Those users who have a dynamic DNS router from ASUS are more fortunate than others. To use DDNS, simply enter the settings section and activate the service itself.
After that, you should think up and register an arbitrary name, after which the user will receive a domain name in the form "Name.asuscomm.com". In addition, the dynamic DNS list includes many more additional services and services, and today it is almost the largest.
No-ip
A dynamic DNS in the form of a No-IP service also assumes no less simple setup. There are a few simple steps to follow.
First, you need to register on the noip.com resource and add the necessary host from the account created during registration (Add Host function). After that, three domain names will become available for free registration, for which you will need to come up with your own name.
HE Free DNS Service
This service may seem no less interesting to many. In principle, the setting is very symbolic (as in previous cases).
However, it is this service that attracts users with a rather impressive list of additional features, which are immediately presented with quick links (certification, tunnel broker, network map, IPv6 protocol management, DNS and telnet servers).
DNS-O-Matic
Before us is another very interesting and perfect client, the functioning of which differs from all previous services. Its main task is that the user can change his dynamic IP immediately on all services in which there is registration, with just one click.
As usual, you must first register, and then add the service through the Add Service function (for example, from those listed above). Further. you should enter the data used for registration in these services (User ID - email address, Password - password, Host / Identifier - name of the third-level domain that was generated by the service. After completing the data entry about linking the service to the account, you can find out by icon in the form of a green hand with a thumb raised up opposite the account of the specified service.
Zoneedit
All of the above services are free. Now pay attention to this service.
Its use is paid in the form of special “loans”, the cost of which is equal to one US dollar. That is, for a year the payment will be twelve. e. The registration and setup procedure is almost exactly the same as in the first examples, so it makes no sense to dwell on it in detail.
Dyndns
Before us is perhaps the most popular service, although not free. The cost of its use starts at twenty-five dollars a year.
By the way, even when DDNS is activated on the router, if such a function is provided, in most cases the user will be asked to register in this service. Despite the paid use, DynDNS, as the vast majority of experts note, is the most reliable service. Another point is related to the fact that almost all modern router models support this service, and some devices with outdated firmware are focused on it only.