Dynamic DNS (DDNS) is a method of automatically updating a name server in the Domain Name System (DNS) with the active DDNS configuration of its configured hostnames, addresses, or other information. DDNS is used to keep DNS records automatically up to date when an IP address changes. It is an extension of DNS that automatically updates IP addresses associated with domain names in real-time. DDNS is used in large networks that host internal servers, and it is also a feature of many home networking modem/routers.
DDNS works by monitoring the IP address for changes. When the address changes, the DDNS service updates the new IP address. DDNS is a very flexible option that gives a connected device the ability to notify DNS servers to automatically update IP addresses, configured hostnames, and some other information, saving the need for an administrator to do the changes.
DDNS has two types: standards-based DDNS and proprietary DDNS. Standards-based DDNS uses an extension of the DNS protocol to ask for an update, while proprietary DDNS is usually a web-based protocol that normally involves a single HTTP fetch with a username and password that then updates some DNS records by some unspecified method.
DDNS is a convenient solution that has different advantages, including maintaining connectivity and accessibility even in dynamic IP address environments. DDNS is universally supported by all DNS servers and used globally to resolve domain names to IP addresses.
