Adding a DNS entry for local connections

[darkassassin07 652]

I have a domain name for the network I have my emby server on that I use while away from home.

I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on how to add a DNS entry to local devices so the same domain name resolves to the local ip of the server when in network, while leaving the public domain accessible to the same devices when out of the local network. This would mean i can use the same url regardless of the network im connected to.

 

Is this something I can reasonably do? Note the emby server is a win 7 machine and is the only device always local and running 24/7

[darkassassin07 652]

Posts cant be edited? :/

 

The domain is provided free by dlink ddns via a dlink router and doesnt have any settings really, just a domain name.

 

If thats important in anyway...

[blade005 185]

I have a domain name for the network I have my emby server on that I use while away from home.

I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on how to add a DNS entry to local devices so the same domain name resolves to the local ip of the server when in network, while leaving the public domain accessible to the same devices when out of the local network. This would mean i can use the same url regardless of the network im connected to.

 

Is this something I can reasonably do? Note the emby server is a win 7 machine and is the only device always local and running 24/7

@@darkassassin07

 

Enter the DNS domain name address you set up in Emby and depending on the Client app it should resolve itself to either use your internal IP address if on your home network, or if you are away from home it will automatically switch to your DNS domain address. At least, that is how it works for me with the Android Client on my phone and tablet. For a laptop using the WebUI when I am away from home, I just created a bookmark with the DNS domain address.

 

Go into the MANAGE SERVER entry of Emby with PC browser and scroll down until you see a section marked EXPERT. Under EXPERT you should see a selection for ADVANCED. Select ADVANCED and scroll down until you see an entry for EXTERNAL DOMAIN. Enter your DNS domain address there and SAVE and you should be set up to move from your local network to an external network within Emby clients.

 

MANAGE SERVER -- EXPERT -- ADVANCED -- EXTERNAL DOMAIN

 

External domain:

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you have a dynamic DNS enter it here. Emby apps will use it when connecting remotely. This field is required when used with a custom ssl certificate.

Edited July 24, 2017 by blade005

[darkassassin07 652]

Yes, i already have all of that set up, what im trying to do is remove the need for different urls when home/away while using the web app through the browser. Simplifying things for my less tech-savy family members.

[blade005 185]

Yes, i already have all of that set up, what im trying to do is remove the need for different urls when home/away while using the web app through the browser. Simplifying things for my less tech-savy family members.

 

Why not just hand out the DNS domain address you set up to all family members? One address that will work whether they are on home network or remote using WebUI?

[pir8radio 1312]

Adding a DNS entry in your hosts file would break the url when you try to access it externally.  Like @@blade005 said why cant you enter the same url you use externally?  Your router should have a loopback interface that keeps the request from leaving your network.

[darkassassin07 652]

My router doesnt seem to have loopback, using the external domain name locally times out, i have to use the local address of the server comp to access emby locally

[darkassassin07 652]

Basically what im trying to do is route local dns requests to a local dns agent with one entry to redirect my domain to the local address. This would mean all dns requests on the local network are checked against that record befor leaving to my isp dns.

That way devices abroad would make the request to the public ddns server (dlinkddns.com), but local devices would check the local dns first. Ie returning the local ip instead of the one tracked my the public dns

[pir8radio 1312]

My router doesnt seem to have loopback, using the external domain name locally times out, i have to use the local address of the server comp to access emby locally

 

Is it your domain name? or are you using the emby connect site?     What kind of router?

[pir8radio 1312]

Basically what im trying to do is route local dns requests to a local dns agent with one entry to redirect my domain to the local address. This would mean all dns requests on the local network are checked against that record befor leaving to my isp dns.

That way devices abroad would make the request to the public ddns server (dlinkddns.com), but local devices would check the local dns first. Ie returning the local ip instead of the one tracked my the public dns

 

In order to do that you would need to setup a dns server within your network.   Something like http://simpledns.com/    but its a bit of an overkill for one url.

Edited July 25, 2017 by pir8radio

[darkassassin07 652]

Im using a dlink router that is providing the domain name via dlinks free ddns service. Im happy to set up a local dns server, i just want some advice on how i would go about doing that

[mastrmind11 722]

Is the dlink sitting at the edge or is it behind a cable modem or something?

[darkassassin07 652]

Internet(telus fiber) -> telus modem/router -> dlink router -> devices (wired and wifi)

 

Everything on the network has a static ip.

[pir8radio 1312]

Internet(telus fiber) -> telus modem/router -> dlink router -> devices (wired and wifi)

 

Everything on the network has a static ip.

 

Ah double NAT?  Why two routers?

[rhodges 49]

Does your dlink router also serve as a DNS server for your network? I am not familiar with it. If it does, there may be a setting to shorten the TTL for DNS records, then add a DNS override for the external dns entry.

 

A router that does loopback checking would probably be better because with the DNS idea, you do run into TTL and DNS caching issues that might cause similar issues.

[mastrmind11 722]

Internet(telus fiber) -> telus modem/router -> dlink router -> devices (wired and wifi)

 

Everything on the network has a static ip.

Figured that was the case.  How is each router configured?

[blade005 185]

Im using a dlink router that is providing the domain name via dlinks free ddns service. Im happy to set up a local dns server, i just want some advice on how i would go about doing that

@darkassassin

 

Unless you are absolutely committed to using your router for DDNS service, perhaps you can test out Duck DNS support.  https://duckdns.org/

 

Pretty simple to set up. Free service. It is what I use and I don't encounter the loopback or timeout issues you seem to have with your current set up.

 

Worth a test to see if it will provide the ease of support you wish for your users both in and out of your home network.