What is Dynamic DNS (DDNS)?

Have you ever needed to connect to your home computer remotely, but you don’t know your IP address? Maybe you’ve noted your IP address previously, but now it won’t connect, even though the IP address seems to be online. It looks like your ISP has changed your IP address. How can you get around this without forking extra money for a fixed IP address? Dynamic DNS (DDNS) is the answer! It allows your server, desktop computer, or any other externally facing device to map its ever-changing IP address to a fixed hostname. This means if your Internet Service Provider has an automatic IP address policy that changes often, you and your users can find your server by remembering a simple hostname.

What is Dynamic DNS (DDNS)?

Many web properties, such as APIs or websites, run on internet connections that have their IP addresses changed frequently; this creates a problem if the operators of those properties want to give a hosted resource a specific domain name, which must then store an IP address in Domain Name System (DNS) records. Dynamic DNS (DDNS) is a service that keeps the DNS updated with a web property’s correct IP address, even if that IP address is constantly being updated.

For example, if a web administrator is operating a small website with a domain name of www.example.com and an IP address of 192.0.2.0, anytime another user enters www.example.com into their browser, the DNS will direct them to the server at 192.0.2.0. If the admin’s ISP dynamically changes the IP to 192.0.2.1, a dynamic DNS service can automatically update the admin’s DNS records so that other users trying to visit www.example.com will now go to the correct IP address.

How does DDNS work?

The DDNS works in the following way: The DDNS client monitors the IP address for changes. When the address changes (which it will if you have a dynamic IP address), the DDNS (or Dynamic DNS) service updates your new IP address.

Let’s get back to the same example from before, you own a server, connected to the Internet, and want to share service from it.

This server will be connected to the internal network, and it will communicate with the Internet via a NAT (Network Address Translation) router. The NAT router will provide an internal IP address to the server, probably via DHCP. To Make it available externally, we will need to perform port forwarding and get an external Port (Portex) and external IP address (IPex). Now the service you want to share is visible with IPex and Portex, and people can use it through the Internet. The problem comes when this IP changes.

First, you will need to register with a Dynamic DNS provider like us and set up client software on your server. In the Dynamic DNS settings, you will give a fixed name to this server. Put the IPex, and we need to tell the NAT to automatically update it and send the data to the DNS server.  Inside the NAT’s settings, we will put the data from our Dynamic DNS service provider (our account and password). Now everything is ready.

Why is Dynamic DNS important?

In the past, IP addresses were static and rarely changed. However, there was a shortage of IP addresses due to the expansion of the internet and the massive increase in the number of servers, smart sensors, and end-user devices.

A new system called IPv6 was introduced to increase the number of IP addresses. However, allocating static IP addresses was no longer cost-effective. Instead, network administrators use Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) to assign IP addresses dynamically.

Why IP addresses change

Network administrators typically maintain a shared pool of IP addresses. They lease or assign IP addresses to users for a predetermined maximum amount of time or until they terminate their connection.

Whenever a machine joins a network, it gets a new dynamic IP address. When a machine logs off the network, DHCP  reassigns IP addresses to all remaining devices. Hence, dynamic IP addresses can change frequently and at irregular intervals.

How dynamic DNS helps

Developers use domain names to identify application endpoints like APIs or specific server instances in their code. If DNS records are not up-to-date, bugs occur when end users try to access endpoints.

Dynamic DNS ensures that users can continue to access the device or service using the domain name. They don’t need to track and update the IP address manually.

Benefits of Dynamic DNS (DDNS)

• Accessibility – With DDNS, you can access a server or website with ease. Even though the IP address changes, you will not have any interruption to your workflow, viewing, or other online activity.
• Practicality – Instead of a network administrator investing many hours in reconfiguring and checking settings, the DDNS can do all this work for them. This frees admins up to do more mission-critical work.
• Economy – DDNS saves money because you do not have to invest crucial time and human resources in reconfiguring Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) settings or make adjustments to each device’s Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) when there is a conflict.

Difference between DDNS and DNS

DNS and DDNS are both designed to implement lookups from hostnames to IP addresses. From a DNS client perspective, the two services are largely identical.

The primary difference between DDNS and DNS is the frequency at which the DNS server’s records are updated. With DNS, records are updated manually by the owner of the DNS record if its infrastructure changes, which is relatively infrequent. With DDNS, record updates happen more frequently and are automated to ensure that DNS clients have access to the latest information.

Possible uses for Dynamic DNS

There are many uses for DDNS. For example, you can:

• Access your computer on the go (e.g. via a remote desktop connection)
• Manage multiple operating systems on one device and send your own files back and forth online
• Make streaming media available
• Access your own mail server or other files from your work computer

In addition, many other usage scenarios of remote access via DDNS are conceivable. The Dynamic Domain Name System greatly simplifies the everyday use of computers.

Conclusion

In a digital era where consistency is king, DDNS stands out as a beacon, ensuring that shifting IP addresses don’t impede server access. As businesses increasingly rely on online operations, services like DDNS aren’t just conveniences – they’re necessities.