Free DDNS

[Tone]

Just wondering what's in it for them. Do they bombard you with advertising and flog all your contact details to Nigeria?

Anyone got any recommendations for a good DDNS service?

[mixture]

Just wondering what's in it for them.

Well, there's no such thing as a free lunch ... but running a DNS service is relatively cheap (low maintenance, doesn't need fancy servers, doesn't use a huge amount of bandwidth). And since its free, they won't be providing you with any SLA/SLG anyway.

So I suspect you'll find the basic service is genuinely free, but will be subject to various constraints carefully designed to encourage you to upgrade to the paid service.

I've never used a DDNS service because I've always had static IPs on any connection I've had anything to do with at work or at home. It just makes life so much easier.

What are you planning to do with your DDNS anyway ?

If you're planning to run a mail-server, don't bother unless your ISP is OK with it and your IP is not listed on Spamhaus PBL (most ISPs with half a brain block inbound mail to non-approved ranges and post their non-MTA ranges on Spamhaus PBL .... both done for very good reason).

If you're after remote access to your computer, there may be other options that don't require opening stuff inbound.

[Bushfiva]

noip.com has free and paid offerings.

[CharlieOneSix]

I use the free service from noip.com so that I can see my CCTV cameras output on my mobile phone/ipad. They don't bombard you with any advertising. You have to remember to log on and update your registration every 30 days to maintain the free service - just a couple of mouse clicks, that's all that takes.

[Tone]

Thanks for the replies - all useful stuff.
Mr Mix - I was looking at the possibility of remote access to stuff on my NAS but I can't get a static IP from my ISP. You dangle a carrot with 'other options', go on then. I'll bite.

[IBMJunkman]

My ISP is Verizon FIOS. I don't have a static IP. I use dyndns.com. Started with a free account then moved to pay. They have since dropped the free accounts.

You need a method to refresh your WAN address with the DNS company. As it happens the Verizon router has a default entry for dyndns.com. The router does it for me. If your router does not allow an entry you will have to run a program on your computer on a regular basis that detects the WAN address and updates your DNS company.

I started the whole thing because a co-worker coveted a watch I wore once in awhile. As a joke I set up an IP camera aimed at the watch and gave him the URL so he could look at the watch any time he wanted. I have since retired and use the capability to watch the outside of my house.

[mixture]

Mr Mix - I was looking at the possibility of remote access to stuff on my NAS but I can't get a static IP from my ISP. You dangle a carrot with 'other options', go on then. I'll bite.

Well, remote access to your NAS without DDNS or Static IP could be a little tricky.

However remote access to a machine on your LAN from which you can then connect to your NAS is certainly most feasible.

Go have a poke around with TeamViewer which is free for personal private use. You can connect remotely to computers without needing to open anything inbound and I'm pretty sure you can transfer files with it too.

To put it politely, unless you're planning to run a VPN to your DDNS, I'm not entirely sure I'd recommend putting a NAS or Computer "directly" on the internet by opening inbound ports ...