Domain Names.

[Zemuss]

Ok I will try to explain what I am attempting to do in the future..
What I want to do is Host a Website from home..

Question: If my ip always changes.. do I need to register with a service that will automatically resolve the Web page ADDy?
Like DynDns.org???

Please explain if you can..
Thanks
Z

[Jizzy]

You'll need something like this: http://www.no-ip.com/

[vitalt]

a couple of questions....would this work if i was already running DNS and WINS servers with a registered domain?using a dynamic IP.or are they basicly doing the same thing?Would it work with a web server and an email server like Exchange?I would think that cable would be able to tell if i am running a server(which is not allowed)?.I could pay the extra for a static ip with support from them along with hosting DNS etc... I have at this point everything except a way to change the IP from dynamic to static. has anyone tried to use this for hosting a domain?

[TJM4FUN]

Vitalt,
Go to www.dyndns.org and review their faqs. I believe the answer to all your questions is yes.

The faqs cover alot of scenarios, including hosting your own website, email and using their service with your other dns and
domain name.

So far it is working well for my ftp server and remote console.
I am still playing around with a webpage. They have links to
some free programs to keep the ip address current and email you when it changes. the redirect service is free, and they have other
services for pay.
Only thing I saw so far is it took a few days to finally propagate my new name out for a few people, but within 2 hours of creating my name, my site in ny was accessable by name from canada,ohio,fla,tx and ca...

for free, it's worth a shot...

[TJM4FUN]

Zemuss,

Since your questions were kinda different, let me explain more in detail.
Since your ip changes, you have 2 approaches:

1. install a program that emails to interested parties your new ip address when it changes. fairly easy, but limits the number of people who can get there.

2.Get a free redirect name from dyndns.org, so you will then have a specific name to give out. Then install an automated update
program on your pc that checks your ip and updates both the
dns servers with the new info, and can email you so you are aware.

I am using dyndns dynamic dns, the free service.
For updates, directupdate is the application, they have a link to it from their site. that is setup to email me and also automatically update the dns servers to my new ip when it changes. As I suggested to Vitalt, review the faqs, there are alot of answers there.

anymore questions, or probs, let me know.........

[TheHeretic]

Not that I agree with it but if you are on a DHCP (changing IP) there stands a good reason that you cannot host a site. That reason would be your terms of service (TOS) with your provider. I know you can do it. Hell I am right now, but, it is a matter of time before they catch it and than its either cancellation of your service or fines or possible charges against you for theft of service.

Now, I know that sounds extreme and a bit pushy but the TOS is there for a reason. They, the ISP, needs to protect its interests. If I were to host commercial accounts on my home box than it would take the business from my ISP. Not a good thing.

My whole point is check it out. I ended up having to go with a commercial account. Most ISP's will have a small business account that you can usually get for not much more than your residential. And they will usually provide a static IP for your small business account.


TheHeretic

[Zemuss]

So Tjm would a DNS Server do justice for me.. Can it control the dynamic IP? I havent a clue.. I am a rookie in the NT dept.
Is my best bet DynDNS.Org? If so I will get something alittle more personal..

Thanks.
Z

[TheHeretic]

Zemuss a DNS server will do nothing for you. DNS servers merely translate the written web addy (www.bitbenderforums.com) to the IP addresss (207.44.152.79).

What Dynds does is notify the primary DNS servers that your IP address has changed. Folks will still type in www.zemuss.com and get to your site because Dynds has changed the entry in the DNS server tables.

There are literally hundreds of DNS servers worldwide, probably thousands. They get their data from several master servers and depending on how often they poll the data it takes anywhere from a couple of hours to a day or more for changes to trickle down to all the DNS servers. WWW.Internic.com has a lot of good info on the DNS servers and domain name registration.

Basicly your ISP has told your machine that the primary DNS server is located at xx.xx.xx.xx addy. Then whenever your machine makes a web request it goes to that same xx.xx.xx.xx addy FIRST. The DNS server returns the IP addy and than off you go to get the web page. if it does not have the IP address in its database than it will ask the secondary DNS server that your ISP has set up. If this does not have the data than you MAY recieve an error. But, the next time it polls data from its DNS server it will ask about the addy you have requested. sort of like the trickle down effect. you notify the Registrars (www.internic.com and others) and those servers propigate the rest of the world that www.zemuss.com is now at xxx.xx.xxx.xx


TheHeretic

[TheHeretic]

I went back and did some reading and you can have your own primary and secondary DNS server but they both have to have seperate IP addys. they would need to be set up as a DNS server and they would than poll their info from the DNS servers as set by your provider.

The Server running the DNS server is what your machines would check with first before going to your ISP's DNS servers.

I know a few folks who run their own and they say there is a negligible difference in speed tween using the ISP's DNS and their own.


TheHeretic

[TJM4FUN]

Zemuss,
you don;t need to run your own dns. all you need is to setup
a name for your site with an ip addy on the master dns site.

you only need to setup your webserver software and your page.

Here's an example scenario:

your isp has assigned you an ip of 24.160.111.12

you goto a site like dyndns.org (orany one you want) and you
setup an accoutn with them where you pick a name. This is not
a true domain name, those have to be registered, but it is part
of the domains they own. So to continue the example, say you
open your account, and it's called Zemuss.dyndns.org, you enter your ip of 24.160.111.12.
You wait a few minutes, then use your browser to go to
zemuss.dyndns.org, and up pops ur webpage.

Now 30 days pass and your "lease" expires on your ip, so you get assigned your next one, it may be the same, it may not.
Now it's 24.160.110.34 , and anyone trying to get to your webpage gets a cannot find server, since the name zemus.dyndns.org is still pointing to the old ip on the dns.
You get around this by installing and running a program, called a wedge, that periodically checks your ip, and when it sees a change, it logs on to your account at dyndns and puts the new ip in. Dyndns then propagates this out to dns 's around the world, which as Heretic pointed out can take minutes to days.

DNS on your own network is a pain, and there is no need for you to worry about this. what you need is a way for people to be able to find your site by name.

Now to also address what Heretic said, you may want to check your TOS to see if they allow this to be run. Some state it in plain
english if not allowed. others are very vague, and migth not care if you just have a small private page.

[vitalt]

Thanks tjm4fun ill check it out.....direct nic will host on their servers too.i have thought about going that route but then there are mail and account restrictions..same as with the ISP...running my own servers may or may not be the best way around it but its a good way to learn more about it.