Set up Dynamic DNS (DDNS) at IU

Dynamic DNS (DDNS) is an addition to the DNS standard. Dynamic DNS updates a DNS server with new or changed records for IP addresses without the need for human intervention. This allows a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) that never changes to be associated with a dynamically assigned IP address that can change quite often.

For example, suppose you want to name your computer DarthVader.ads.iu.edu but are required to use DHCP. If you use DDNS, your computer's IP address will be properly associated with DarthVader.ads.iu.edu. Otherwise, your DHCP device will not have an FQDN.

At Indiana University, DDNS works for Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019. It will not work for the Home edition of Windows 10 or non-Windows operating systems such as macOS, Linux, or BSD. If your operating system is not supported, or if you cannot join the ADS domain, you can use a third-party DDNS service, such as Dynamic Network Services, Inc. For a comprehensive list of DDNS providers, see DNS Lookup's Dynamic DNS Providers List. UITS does not recommend or endorse any third-party DDNS service.

Although DDNS is an official addition to the DNS standard, not all ISPs refresh their own DNS servers' data often enough to reflect daily changes, so some users may still run into trouble accessing your DDNS-configured FQDN. This is not the fault of your DDNS service provider, but a problem caused by the ISP not updating its DNS tables quickly enough.

To set up your Windows computer to use IU's DDNS service:

  1. Log in as an administrator, and navigate to the Network and Sharing Center.
  2. On the left, click Change adapter settings.
  3. Right-click Ethernet or Local Area Connection, and click Properties.
  4. Select Internet Protocol 4 (TCP/IPv4), and click Properties.
  5. Click Advanced....
  6. Click the DNS tab. Next to "DNS suffix for this connection:", type ads.iu.edu.
  7. Check Register this connection's addresses in DNS.
  8. Check Use this connection's DNS Suffix in DNS registration.
  9. Click OK, then OK again, and then Close.

Now your computer will dynamically register itself with the IU DDNS servers.

This is document akir in the Knowledge Base.
Last modified on 2022-09-15 14:24:03.