DDNS, or Dynamic Domain Name System, is a service that maps internet domain names to IP addresses as those IP addresses change. Traditional DNS servers provide a fixed IP address for a domain name, which works well for servers with static IP addresses. However, many internet users have dynamic IP addresses that change periodically, such as those provided by residential internet service providers. DDNS automatically updates the DNS records for domain names as the IP address changes, ensuring the domain name always points to the correct IP address.
Here’s a simplified workflow on how DDNS relates to domain names:
- Registration: A user registers with a DDNS service provider and chooses a domain name provided by the DDNS service or uses their own domain name.
- Configuration: The user configures their network device (like a router, security camera, or a server) with the DDNS service details. This often involves entering the domain name, username, and password for the DDNS service into the device.
- IP Update: Whenever the IP address of the device changes, the device reports this change to the DDNS service provider using the provided details.
- DNS Update: The DDNS service immediately updates its DNS records with the new IP address against the user’s domain name.
- Resolution: When someone tries to access the domain name, the DNS query will resolve to the updated, current IP address of the device, ensuring seamless access despite the dynamic IP environment.
DDNS is particularly useful for accessing remote network devices, home servers, surveillance cameras, and other internet-connected devices that might not have a static IP address but need to be accessible over the internet using a consistent domain name.