How Dynamic DNS (DDNS) Works
Dynamic DNS or DDNS is a mechanism to update a DNS hostname (like myname.dyndns.org) with your current IP address so that when you type in myname.dyndns.org, it will always resolve to your IP address regardless of whether it changes.
Making an Update
The process is described as follows:
- The customer installs the DynDNS Updater software in his or her network
- The Internet Service Provider changes the customer’s IP address
- The DynDNS Updater detects that the network’s IP address has changed
- The DynDNS Updater sends the new IP address to DynDNS.com
- The DynDNS.com update server receives the information, and assigns the new IP address to the customer’s Dynamic DNS hostname
The magic behind updating is a piece of software called update client that sits on your computer or network that either detects when its IP address changes or by checking a web-based IP detection website, like checkip.dyndns.com. If you want to learn more about the update system, please look at our DDNS update system for developers.
Software Update Client
This is our most preferred update mechanism. We maintain software clients for Windows and OS X and have worked the developers of two *nix update clients to refine their behavior. You first need to create an account and create a hostname before you should setup setup the update client.
Hardware Update Client
Over the years, many router manufacturers have embedded dynamic DNS update clients into their devices. Everything from high-end Cisco routers and Juniper firewalls to entry level access points and everything in-between. DynDNS is always working with these vendors to improve their standards compatibility and certify devices. We already have a good list of DynDNS certified DDNS routers.
How to get started
If you want to set this up, all you need to do is create a DynDNS Account, create a DNS hostname, and setup an update client. Create an Account.