Self Hosted Dynamic DNS Server Guide for Dev

Hi Dev, welcome to our guide on setting up a self-hosted dynamic DNS server. In this article, we will walk you through the entire process of hosting your own dynamic DNS server and how it can be beneficial for your website, server or network. A dynamic DNS server can help you access your network or server from anywhere in the world. Let’s dive in!

What is a Self-Hosted Dynamic DNS Server?

A dynamic DNS server is used to keep track of the IP addresses assigned to devices that are connected to a network with a dynamic IP address. A dynamic IP address is an IP address that is assigned by the DHCP server of the ISP or network administrator. It can change every time the device connects to the network. A self-hosted dynamic DNS server provides a way to map a hostname to the changing IP address.

If you have a website or server that you want to run from your home or office, a dynamic DNS server can help you access it from anywhere in the world. With a self-hosted dynamic DNS server, you can map a hostname to your own IP address, even if it changes frequently.

Benefits of a Self-Hosted Dynamic DNS Server

There are several benefits of hosting your own dynamic DNS server:

1. No Monthly Fees: When you host your own dynamic DNS server, you don’t have to pay any monthly fees to a third-party provider.
2. More Control: You have complete control over the server configuration and the data it collects.
3. Better Security: A self-hosted dynamic DNS server is more secure than relying on a third-party provider.

Requirements for Setting up a Self-Hosted Dynamic DNS Server

To set up your own dynamic DNS server, you will need:

• A domain name
• A static IP address
• A server running a Linux operating system
• A dynamic DNS client

Let’s take a closer look at each of these requirements.

Domain Name

You will need a domain name to map your dynamic IP address to. You can purchase a domain name from a registrar like Namecheap, GoDaddy or Google Domains.

Static IP Address

A static IP address is a requirement for hosting a self-hosted dynamic DNS server. You can contact your ISP to request a static IP address or you can use a dynamic DNS service that assigns static IP addresses.

Server Running Linux

To set up a self-hosted dynamic DNS server, you will need a server running a Linux operating system. Most Linux distributions come with a built-in DNS server called BIND. You can use BIND to host your own DNS server.

Dynamic DNS Client

A dynamic DNS client is needed to update the DNS records on your self-hosted DNS server. You can use a client like ddclient, which is available for most Linux distributions.

Setting up a Self-Hosted Dynamic DNS Server

Now that you have met the requirements, you can start setting up your self-hosted dynamic DNS server. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Install BIND on Your Server

The first step is to install BIND on your server. You can do this by running the following command:

sudo apt-get install bind9

This will install the latest version of BIND on your server.

Step 2: Configure BIND

Once BIND is installed, you will need to configure it to serve as your DNS server. The configuration file for BIND is located at /etc/bind/named.conf.options. You can edit this file using your favorite text editor.

Here is a sample configuration:

options {directory "/var/cache/bind";recursion yes;allow-query { any; };forwarders {8.8.8.8;8.8.4.4;};dnssec-validation auto;auth-nxdomain no;# conform to RFC1035listen-on-v6 { any; };};

In this configuration file, you need to replace the forwarders with the IP addresses of the DNS servers provided by your ISP. You can also set the recursion to yes to allow the DNS server to answer recursive queries from clients.

Step 3: Create Your DNS Zone File

The next step is to create your DNS zone file. This file contains the records for your domain name. The file is located at /etc/bind/db.yourdomain.com. You can create it using the following command:

sudo nano /etc/bind/db.yourdomain.com

Here is a sample zone file:

$TTL 86400@INSOAns1.yourdomain.com. hostmaster.yourdomain.com. (2019070701; serial number3600; refresh1800; retry604800; expire86400; minimum TTL)INNSns1.yourdomain.com.ns1INA192.168.0.1wwwINA192.168.0.10

In this zone file, you need to replace yourdomain.com with your actual domain name. You also need to replace the IP addresses with your actual IP addresses.

Step 4: Configure ddclient

Finally, you need to configure the ddclient to update your DNS server with your dynamic IP address. You can install it using the following command:

sudo apt-get install ddclient

Once installed, you need to edit the ddclient configuration file located at /etc/ddclient.conf. Here is a sample configuration:

daemon=300syslog=yesssl=yesprotocol=namecheapserver=dynamicdns.park-your-domain.comlogin=yourdomain.compassword='your-ddns-password'subdomain.yourdomain.com

In this configuration file, you need to replace the login and password with your actual login and password for your dynamic DNS service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Dynamic DNS Service?

A dynamic DNS service is a service that maps a hostname to a dynamic IP address. It allows you to access your network or server from anywhere in the world.

What is the Difference Between a Self-Hosted and Third-Party Dynamic DNS Server?

A self-hosted dynamic DNS server is hosted on your own server, while a third-party dynamic DNS server is hosted by a third-party provider. A self-hosted dynamic DNS server provides more control and better security.

Is it Necessary to Use a Self-Hosted Dynamic DNS Server?

No, it is not necessary to use a self-hosted dynamic DNS server. You can use a third-party provider if you prefer.

What are the Benefits of Using a Self-Hosted Dynamic DNS Server?

The benefits of using a self-hosted dynamic DNS server include no monthly fees, more control and better security.

What are the Requirements for Setting up a Self-Hosted Dynamic DNS Server?

The requirements for setting up a self-hosted dynamic DNS server include a domain name, a static IP address, a server running a Linux operating system and a dynamic DNS client.

Is it Difficult to Set up a Self-Hosted Dynamic DNS Server?

Setting up a self-hosted dynamic DNS server can be challenging for beginners, but it is not difficult if you follow the steps in this guide.

What is BIND?

BIND is a domain name system (DNS) software package that provides a way to map human-readable domain names to IP addresses.

Conclusion

That’s it, Dev! You have learned how to set up your own self-hosted dynamic DNS server. This server will help you access your network or server from anywhere in the world. We hope this guide has been helpful, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions!