Configure Dynamic DNS (DDNS)

With Dynamic DNS (DDNS) an advanced console server whose IP address is dynamically assigned (and that may change from time to time) can be located using a fixed host or domain name. The ACM5500, ACM5000 and IM4200 family of advanced console servers (with Firmware 3.0.2 and later) support DDNS.

• ODS.org ods.org
• DyNS dyns.cx
• dyndns.org dyndns.org
• GNUDip dynu.com

The DDNS service provider maintains a name server somewhere on the Internet that keep track of where you are (i.e. your console server's current IP address). The name server's database is constantly updated to make sure your console server's hostname URL always corresponds to its current IP address. Upon registering with the DDNS service provider, you will select a username and password, as well as a hostname that you will use as the DNS name (to allow external access to your machine using a URL).

The Dynamic DNS service providers allow the user to choose a hostname URL and set an initial IP address to correspond to that hostname URL. Many Dynamic DNS providers offer a selection of URL hostnames available for free use with their service. However, with a paid plan, any URL hostname (including your own registered domain name) can be used. 

Note: A DDNS service provider typically supports the registration of only public IP addresses. So if your console server is on a network behind a router that has allocated it a private IP address (such as 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x), DDNS will not provide direct connection. 

When DDNS has been enabled your console server will update the DDNS server automatically at the period specified - but only if its IP address has changed from the IP address that it had previously registered with that service. 

You can configure DDNS on any of the Ethernet or cellular network connections on the console server:

• Select the DDNS service provider from the drop down Dynamic DNS list on the System:IP or System:Dial menu. By default DDNS is disabled

• In DDNS Hostname enter the fully qualified DNS hostname for your console server e.g. your-hostname.dyndns.org
• Enter the Username and Password for the DDNS service provider account 
• Specify the Maximum interval between updates - in days. A DDNS update will be sent even if the address has not changed
• Specify the Minimum interval between checks for changed addresses - in seconds. Updates will still only be sent if the address has changed
• Specify the Maximum attempts per update i.e. the number of times to attempt an update before giving up (defaults to 3)

Note: Your DDNS service provider may consider overly frequent updates to be an abuse of their service (and as a result may block updates) so do observe the requirements of the DDNS service provider to ensure compliance with possible abuse guidelines.