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Appendix G: Dynamic Domain Name System (DDNS)
Your Internet service provider (ISP) provides you with at least one IP address that you use to
connect to the Internet. The address you get may be static, meaning it never changes, or dynamic,
meaning it’s likely to change periodically. Just how often it changes depends on your ISP. A dynamic
IP address complicates remote access since you may not know what your current WAN IP address
is when you want to access your network over the Internet. The solution to the dynamic IP address
problem comes in the form of a dynamic DNS service.
The Internet uses DNS servers to look up domain names and translates them into IP addresses.
Domain names, such as
www.networkipcam.com
, are just easy-to-remember aliases for IP addresses.
A dynamic DNS service is unique because it provides a means of updating your IP address so that
your listing will remain current when your IP address changes. There are several excellent DDNS
services available on the Internet and, best of all, some of them free to use. The WEBVIEW Network
Cameras support the DDNS service provided by www.DynDNS.org. You’ll need to register with the
service and set up the domain name of your choice to begin using it. Please refer to the homepage or
the service for detailed instructions.
A DDNS service works by uploading your WAN IP address to its servers periodically. Your
gateway/router may support DDNS directly, in which case you can enter your DDNS account
information into your router and it will update the DDNS servers automatically when your IP address
changes. Consult your router’s documentation for more information. If your router does not support
DDNS, you can run a small client utility on any PC on your network that will perform the updating. The
client utility is usually provided for free by the service. Check the service’s Web page for further
information, terms and conditions.
How to Use the ODS DDNS Service
1. Go to the ODS homepage (www.ods.org).
2. If you didn’t register your ID, select the “Register” menu and register your ID/password. Or, just log
in with a registered ID/password.