Remote Access & FTP

This guide will help you set up remote access using our Dynamic DNS service.

What is Dynamic DNS? How can I use it for remote access?

The free Dynamic DNS service provides an easy-to-remember URL for quick remote access to your network. This allows you to perform tasks like transferring files from your home computer with a web address like myfiles.dyndns.org, instead of a meaningless, ever-changing IP address like http://123.45.67.89.

How do I set it up?

Please complete the following steps to get started with the Dynamic DNS service.

1. Set up your remote access software

The first step is to decide what kind of tasks you want to be able to do remotely. There are three general types of access:

Decide what kind of access you're most likely to use while away from home, and install the appropriate software in your network. Please note that DynDNS.com cannot provide support for service installation or setup. However, we do offer these handy tutorials for TightVNC and OpenVPN.

2. Configure port forwarding

Now that your service is installed and running, the next step is to configure your network to allow remote access. To do this, you will need to configure your router's port forwarding settings. Please visit PortForward.com for a list of guides by router and service. (For your reference, FTP uses ports 20 and 21, and Windows Remote Desktop uses port 3389.) You will also need to allow this port in your firewall software, such as Windows Firewall or Norton Internet Security.

3. Test your network

When you have configured port forwarding in your router, you will need to test your network externally (from outside). To do this, get your network's external IP address from CheckIP, then have a friend try to visit the IP address or use our Open Port Tool to test your network. If your network is configured properly, you can continue to the next step; if not, please see the Troubleshooting section for some common problems.

4. Create an account and Dynamic DNS host

Now that your services are installed and working, and visitors from outside your network can remotely access your services, you can begin using Dynamic DNS. Create and confirm an account, then create a free Dynamic DNS host. The Dynamic DNS host should be assigned to your network's external IP address. Once your host is created, wait a few minutes for the service to activate, then have your friend (or our Open Port Tool) test your network using the host (e.g. http://myphotosite.dyndns.org).

5. Install an update client

The last step is to configure an update client, which will keep your new Dynamic DNS host up-to-date with your network's external IP address. If your router has a section for DynDNS.com (sometimes DynDNS.org), this is an update client. Enter your username, password and hostname, and the router will tell us when your IP changes so that your Dynamic DNS host will always be correct.

If you do not have a hardware update client, you can install a software update client on a computer anywhere in the network (typically your server computer). We recommend using a software client whenever possible, since they are easier to troubleshoot and configure than hardware update clients.

Troubleshooting

My remote access server is running, but I can't reach it from outside my network.

This problem is usually related to port forwarding. Ensure that your router is properly configured to forward the necessary ports for your software. You can learn more about port forwarding here. If you are still having trouble, please see our detailed Why Can't I Connect to My Server? troubleshooting guide for more help.

My connection lags or times out.

No traffic passes through DynDNS.com, so any problems with lag or being disconnected unexpectedly are caused by connection problems at the remote network (or the client's network). The Dynamic DNS and Custom DNS services have no impact on connection speed, bandwidth, quality of service or any other networking issues.

I can't see my files in my web browser.

Unless your remote access service specifically uses a web interface, you will usually need special software to connect. For example, in order to use Windows Remote Desktop, you need to run the Windows Remote Desktop Connection utility (located under Start - All Programs - Accessories in Windows XP). Some services can be accessed via a web browser, such as FTP (most browsers will accept ftp://user@myhost.dyndns.org/), but a dedicated FTP client is strongly recommended.

What are the security risks of using Dynamic DNS?

The Dynamic DNS service does not create any new security vulnerabilities for your network. It is simply an easy way of locating your services. You should take steps to properly secure your network, such as a properly configured router, firewalls, up-to-date antivirus software, and common security practices such as strong passwords (eight characters in length with at least one capital letter, one number and one symbol such as @ or _) and strictly limited access (e.g. FTP access for a single subdirectory, not an entire drive).