Network IP question

[bizzs 0]

Hello everyone.  My ips changes my ip address everytime the router is rebooted or there is a power failure causing remote problems for my kids outside the network.  We have to delete the apps and reenter the new ip address. The isp charges monthly for a static ip address that adds another 15 onto my monthly bill which is outrageous. I have been reading online about domains and hostnames. I am a novice at linux and my server uses ubuntu operating system. My question is:  Is there a way that I can reroute my IP address to a domain host and the app on the clients would recognize it instead of everyone deleting the app and reentering new ip information again?  Please excuse me if I am not explaining this clearly but as I stated that I am only a novice at linux 

Thanks

Lisa

[GrimReaper 4739]

Obtain a domain or use some of the free DDNS services. 

Alternatively, have your clients connect through Emby Connect. 

Emby Connect

Edited June 20, 2024 by GrimReaper

[rbjtech 5284]

1 hour ago, GrimReaper said:

Obtain a domain or use some of the free DDNS services. 

A domain will not solve the dynamic IP address problem - it will just make it 'nicer' to point to 'your' name as opposed to a free DDNS name.

@bizzsThe solution is to use DDNS as said above, but you don't need a domain as you'll get one with DDNS (a subdomain of the DDNS provider). 

I'd suggest seeing what DDNS your router supports (go into the Admin and look) as that will make the entire thing much easier. 

Edited June 20, 2024 by rbjtech

[bizzs 0]

Thanks guys.  Will my sever still be able to receive VPN protection if I do the DDNS ?  TY

[Neminem 1518]

My understanding of DDNS is just translating you current Wan IP to a DNS name.

So if you ip changes, it will translate that into you new ip.

Meaning you can always connect with you DDNS name.

like awesome.server.org

This way you do not have to pay the fee, you do not want to pay for.

1 hour ago, bizzs said:

The isp charges monthly for a static ip address that adds another 15 onto my monthly bill which is outrageous.

Edited June 20, 2024 by jaycedk

[Neminem 1518]

31 minutes ago, bizzs said:

Thanks guys.  Will my sever still be able to receive VPN protection if I do the DDNS ?  TY

Hmm you want to snice with your mouth closed, full of flour, and keep flour out of your nose.

Not seeing that happening.

[Lessaj 467]

If your server is running a VPN client this will only cover outgoing requests from the server, IE to metadata providers, but incoming requests will still come in through your WAN IP which is what the DDNS needs to resolve to. Most DDNS services that I know of offer a client that you can use so in that case if you try to run the DDNS client on the server at the same time as a VPN client you would need to exclude it from VPN traffic (split tunneling) otherwise it will end up returning the VPN external address. More than likely you would not want this unless your VPN provider allows you to open a port, then it would be possible to have incoming requests go through the VPN but this is probably more advanced than you'd want to set up and your VPN provider may not offer that. However if the DDNS client runs upstream of the server, such as on your router which doesn't have a VPN client running, it should return the address of your WAN interface so the DDNS can resolve to the right address. It can take a few minutes for DNS to update when the IP changes.

EDIT: Also wanted to add, in my case I'm running pfSense with multiple VPN client connections but you can configure the specific interface to use for the DDNS request, not sure if any consumer routers would have something like this even if they have DDNS support along with VPN client support.

Edited June 20, 2024 by Lessaj

[GrimReaper 4739]

1 hour ago, rbjtech said:

A domain will not solve the dynamic IP address problem - it will just make it 'nicer' to point to 'your' name as opposed to a free DDNS name.

Why it wouldn't? Example for Dynamic DNS for Google (Squarespace now) domains. 

https://support.google.com/domains/answer/6147083?hl=en

[tedfroop21 86]

2 hours ago, jaycedk said:

My understanding of DDNS is just translating you current Wan IP to a DNS name.

So if you ip changes, it will translate that into you new ip.

.....as long as you run an update client of some sort on a local device that periodically checks and updates your address on your DDNS providers site.

[Neminem 1518]

If my google foo still serve me right.

What Is Dynamic DNS (DDNS), and How Do You Set It Up? (howtogeek.com)

[bizzs 0]

Any recommendations of ddns that are cheap but secure

[rbjtech 5284]

17 hours ago, GrimReaper said:

Why it wouldn't? Example for Dynamic DNS for Google (Squarespace now) domains. 

https://support.google.com/domains/answer/6147083?hl=en

If you purchase a domain, then you need to use it in combination with either 

a) Hosted webspace (Hosted WAN IP via their DNS registrar)

b) a fixed IP via a DNS registrar (a-record or c-name etc)

c) Dynamic DNS via the DDNS registrar

d) Combo of b and c to redirect your domain to a ddns service via a c-name if they don't provide ddns.

As part of the domain package/registration, you may not necessarily even get a WAN IP address ..

So yes, you can of course get it 'all in one' - and google is a good example but you can't just say 'get a domain' OR 'use ddns' as the first one needs DNS/DDNS support for it to redirect it to your home ISP WAN ip, a domain by itself may not necessarily do this.

Edited June 21, 2024 by rbjtech

[GrimReaper 4739]

Your going wide for reasons unknown, as my reference was to your:

19 hours ago, rbjtech said:

A domain will not solve the dynamic IP address problem

It may not or wouldn't necessarily solve it, as you've succinctly put it later:

53 minutes ago, rbjtech said:

a domain by itself may not necessarily do this.

but stating it as a plain fact that it will not is misleading, as it just well might, depending on one's choice, preference and prowess. Just as if opting to use VPN might or might not work, depending whether provider allows port forwarding or not, or user prefers (or not) to split-tunnel, it also/again comes down to choice of provider. 

OP was given 3 solutions to initial query. Either can be utilized (with higher or lower level of involvement/ease of use). Personally, I'd go with free DDNS as well, but it's OP's decision ultimately. 

Edited June 21, 2024 by GrimReaper

[rbjtech 5284]

8 minutes ago, GrimReaper said:

Your going wide for reasons unknown, as my reference was to your:

It may not or wouldn't necessarily solve it, as you've succinctly put it later:

but stating it as a plain fact that it will not is misleading, as it just well might, depending on one's choice, preference and prowess. Just as if opting to use VPN might or might not work, depending whether provider allows port forwarding or not, or user prefers (or not) to split-tunnel, it also/again comes down to choice of provider. 

OP was given 3 solutions to initial query. Either can be utilized (with higher or lower level of involvement/ease of use). Personally, I'd go with free DDNS as well, but it's OP's decision ultimately. 

ok - I don't want to confuse the OP any further but a domain on it's own will not resolve to an ISP provided WAN IP - it needs DDNS.   The OP has a dynamic IP, they have said so in the first post, so they NEED to use DDNS. 

So if we are being accurate - and the reason for my original comment - I've made a suggestion on your original statement below.

20 hours ago, GrimReaper said:

Obtain a domain and configure with DDNS from either the domain provider or free DDNS services or use some of the free DDNS services without the need to purchase an individual domain.

Alternatively, have your clients connect through Emby Connect. 

Emby Connect