If you are setting up a website system or using a Minecraft server, it isn’t easy to track the frequently accessed IP addresses. Owning, operating, and managing .com domain names also costs you a lot of money. However, a solution will help you overcome all of these limitations, which is DDNS. But what is DDNS?, this question will be explained now.
What is DDNS
Most major carriers will provide the IP address for their modems. DDNS or Dynamic Domain Name System is a method of mapping modem IP address to dynamic IP address (WAN IP) from domain name to digital format every time there is a change in its IP.
DDNS service is created to replace a static IP address. DDNS makes it possible for users to remotely access the system without using a static IP address generated by the Internet Service Provider or ISP.
The Dynamic Domain Name System can be found anywhere on the Internet with various products and services with different fees. Still, in terms of the fundamental way of operation, it is not much different.
Read more: Static IP Vs Dynamic IP
How Does DDNS Work
Each domain name in the DNS server system must point to a static IP address. However, most of the IP addresses provided by the operator are dynamic IPs and change periodically. In that case, you cannot use the DNS server. When the IP changes data, the DNS job is interrupted.
DDNS service was born to solve the above problem. Similar to DNS, DDNS also provides data regarding the connection of IP addresses and domain names. But the database supplied by DDNS can be flexibly updated according to operator requirements.
Accordingly, DDNS creates a special program that runs on the user’s computer called Dynamic DNS Client. This program is responsible for monitoring and checking the change of IP address at the host. When a change occurs, the Dynamic DNS Client will notify the DNS system. At the same time, update new information to the previous database. Although the server frequently changes its IP address, the DNS system can find and correctly point the domain name address to the correct new IP address.
DDNS’s interaction mechanism can be briefly understood as follows:
First, the host is installed on modem devices. Here, connected devices take the current IP address as default. Then, when a user accesses the device via DDNS and requests the host’s IP, the IP will continuously change. Thanks to DDNS, the server will then return the current IP, and the user will successfully connect to the host.
See also: How to Find Router IP Address with these Simple Steps
Why Should You Use DDNS
One of the reasons why DDNS is widely used is that today, the demand for DDNS dynamic domain names increases. It is used a lot in connecting smart cameras, smart houses, alarm systems, and IoT to protect individual property.
Using DDNS service, you can check surveillance cameras, connect smart devices, access, and configure the system remotely by phone, tablet, etc. This makes users become more active in securing and accessing.
Besides, DDNS also helps organizations and businesses save costs when organizing, maintaining, and operating service servers (mail, web, FTP, server) without renting ISP hosting.
Who Should Use DDNS
DDNS service focuses on the target audience: Individuals or organizations use indirect dial-up internet connection or ADSL service with dynamic IP instead of directly leased-line internet connection with a static IP address.
Besides, those who need to install surveillance camera systems, install timekeepers, and want to perform remote control via the Internet also need to go through the DDNS system.
Another critical need to use DDNS is to transmit internet services such as web servers, mail servers, FTP servers, and popular services to exchange information between organizations departments.
Finally, DDNS is for servers connected to the Internet that are unstable and constantly changing or have to change IP addresses (dynamic IPs).
However, it is important to note, customers using some special domain names will have to pay an annual renewal fee. The installer will charge this renewal fee for maintaining the remote viewing system for you. This domain name will be configured on the network modem or video recorder and must be NAT Port for private viewing. If you replace the modem or repair the network, you need to reconfigure it to see the camera.
How to Register DDNS
To use the DDNS service of telecommunications service providers, you need to register using a .com domain name. Then it would be best to download and install the Dynamic DNS Client program on your computer or server devices.
You need to set parameters such as (domain name, hostname, account) on the program to authenticate at this stage. This can be quite difficult for those who are new to technology; you can use home installation services or ask for help from professional IT.
The last thing you need to do is connect to the Dynamic DNS server system. This program will monitor and update the new IP address to the DNS system of the provider if there is a change in IP. After that, you can freely install the system software providing services such as email server, web server, Apache software on your computer.
Keep in mind always updating the domain name (registered via DDNS system) with the machine’s IP address to ensure that the computer is connected to the server system providing Dynamic DNS service by HTTP protocol and port.
DDNS’s free account requires users to update information about IP addresses at least once a month. Otherwise, your hostname will expire. But people do not need to worry too much because most router equipment has built-in auto-update functions with some popular DDNS services.
In Conclusion
DDNS is a tool that can solve many problems related to your IP Internet without spending too much time or money. This is also an essential requirement for smart connections of the camera or smartphone in the future.
We hope you have had a satisfactory answer to the question “What Is DDNS” and found this helpful. Thank you for reading.
