How to setup Dynamic DNS (DDNS)

What is Dynamic DNS (DDNS)?

Dynamic DNS allows you to create a hostname that points to your home or office dynamic IP address, providing an easy-to-remember URL for quick access. Example usage includes providing the ability to send downloads to a TurnKey Torrent Server via the Torrent Server Handler Firefox extension remotely, or by accessing its web interface to checkup on downloads status.

The below example uses dyndns.com, but there are also other services to choose from including: easydns.com, dslreports.com, zoneedit.com

Create an account and configure desired FQDN

1. Create an account: http://www.dyndns.com

2. Log into your account, and click "add host services"

3. Choose your desired hostname and domain, for example: turnkey.dyndns.org

Configure the appliance for DDNS

4. Log into the appliance, install the DDNS client and answer all questions for initial configuration

apt-get update
apt-get install ddclient

5. Tweak the settings, especially if you are behind a NAT connection to determine your IP address from the web

/etc/ddclient.conf
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use=if, if=eth0       # old
use=web               # new

6. Test that everything works

ddclient --verbose

7. If everying looks good, verify ddclient is configured to run in daemon mode, and restart the service

/etc/default/ddclient
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run_daemon="true"

/etc/init.d/ddclient restart

Thats it, enjoy!