DNS service - dropping due to IP changing

Ranjo

I am paying for a DNS service to get through to websites/services for US content.

The service uses my external IP address as an identifier. However this IP address does not remain consistent, so every day I have to browse to the website of the service, refresh my IP with them, then I can use other devices (specifically my TV).

It's a pain having to do this every day. Any advice on what I can do?

advertsfox

Are you able to specific a hostname (as in a domain like me.boards.ie) instead? If so, you can setup DynDNS on your router that will update a domain linked to your current IP address constantly (for e.g ranjo.dyndns.org). Most modern routers have an option to store your login information so it auto updates. Which router do you have?

ED E

As above, DynDNS or pay your ISP for a static IP.

Ranjo

I'll have a look at the router when I'm home. I did have a Huawei HG556a until recently, but just got it replaced to upgrade to fibre, and haven't looked at the model yet. It's whatever Vodafone supply for fibre.

advertsfox

Well that will support it for sure, DynDNS used to be a free service until a year or two ago.

I still use it with my UPC connection but it's very cheap at $25 (€21) a year for what is a must for you. Not sure the cost of a static IP with Vodafone though.

EDIT: Found it, cost is €6 per month (or €72 a year) so DynDNS is best for you.

https://community.vodafone.ie/t5/Packages-Plans/Static-IP-address/td-p/148159

Ranjo

excellent thanks. I'll give it a go.

just to confirm, this is what I'm looking for, right?

degsie

no-ip is still free if your router supports it.

advertsfox

Ranjo wrote: »

excellent thanks. I'll give it a go.

just to confirm, this is what I'm looking for, right?

That's exactly it. Once setup, you go to Hostnames and create one. It will auto populate the IP address but that bit will be irrelevant once you add the login details to your router since that will be in charge of updating the hostname. Leave all the settings as default, you only need to pick your hostname and domain name (tonnes of options). Once you login to your Vodafone router, it will ask for:

Hostname: whateveryoupick
Domain: whateveryoupick
Username: ranjo (DynDNS username)
Password: **** (DynDND password)

NOTE: Here's a screenshot of the settings on the Vodafone Fibre router (Huawei 658C).

Ranjo

Digging this one back up. I hooked myself up with Dyn and put the settings into the router per the above. I am still having to refresh my account with overplay every day.

Something is missing, or I've done something wrong.

I got an email from Dyn when I signed up to the service. It said I needed to install an update client to ensure the hostname was always pointing to the correct IP address.

ED E

Yeah, a computer(or a supported router) needs to send periodic updated IP addresses to their servers.

degsie

The router will do the updating once you fill in your host/username/pass. Does overplay support hostnames as well as ip addresses?

murphaph

degsie wrote: »

Does overplay support hostnames as well as ip addresses?

Yes. I use NO-IP. My FritzBox updates NO-IP when the WAN IP changes (usually every 24 hours here) and in my overPlay profile I have entered this NO-IP hostname (even though it say "DynDNS hostname" in that field. All working very reliably for ages now.

Ranjo

I didn't realise I could enter my IP hostname with my Overplay account. I've just done that. Will see how it works out tomorrow morning.