Dynamic DNS

In a situation where it is required to access a home network through the internet but the internet provider provides a dynamically changing IP address, that is a challenge since every time the IP address changes then unless the new IP is known it is impossible to access that particular network. How can such a problem be solved? Well, DDNS to the rescue.

Dynamic Domain Name System (DDNS) is a service that allows to associate a domain name with a constantly changing or dynamic IP address. It's useful when a device or server with an IP address that changes frequently, such as in a home network with a dynamic IP from an internet service provider.

Dynamic DNS works by having a device or router periodically update the DNS server with its current IP address. This way, you can access the device or network using a domain name, even if its IP address changes. There are various Dynamic DNS providers that offer this service, and many routers have built in support for popular Dynamic DNS services.

A free to use DDNS service offered by Ghasworx can be utilized here Ghasworx Dynamic.

A general high level overview of how DDNS works:

• A client registers with a DDNS provider and get assigned a unique domain name.

• The client from within the network (that has a dynamic IP) connects to the DDNS provider using their credentials using some sort of client software provided by the DDNS provider or an API.

• DDNS provider then registers the client's IP address and creates/updates an A record (this record matches the current IP to the domain name assigned to the client) within the providers DNS which in some time propagates/replicates to global DNS servers across the internet.

• The client can use their assigned domain name to access their network through the internet whether the IP changes or not as long as the client keeps updating their current IP from within their network.

• Some routers allows a user to setup a DDNS configuration where if the IP changes or it reboots, it automatically uses the DDNS configuration and updates the current IP. However alot of these providers have a downloadable software and/or an API in case the router doesn't have DDNS setup which means some device needs to be operating around the clock updating the IP.

• Clients usually require to configure port forwarding on their edge/gateway device (router) to be able to access services within the network from the internet since by default all routers allow in-out connections but not out-in connections.

A free to use DDNS service offered by Ghasworx can be utilized here Ghasworx Dynamic.

Dynamic DNS is a very useful tool to keep using a cheap internet plan and be able to access the home network monitoring CCTV's, file server, web server, remote access, IOT, etc... rather than requesting the ISP for a static IP and paying for it.