PANEL_ddnssAddEntry

Configuring Dynamic DNS

For general information on setting up DDNS Profiles, see <Bold>Network > Dynamic DNS.

Using any Dynamic DNS service begins with settings up an account with the DDNS service provider (or providers) of your choice. It is possible to use multiple providers simultaneously. Refer to the links for the various providers listed above. The registration process normally involves a confirmation email from the provider, with a final acknowledgment performed by visiting a unique URL embedded in the confirmation email. After logging in to the selected provider's page, you should visit the administrative link (typically 'add' or 'manage'), and create your host entries. This must be performed prior to attempting to use the dynamic DNS client on SonicOS. The Network > Dynamic DNS page provides the settings for configuring the SonicWALL security appliance to use your DDNS service.

To configure Dynamic DNS on the SonicWALL security appliance, perform these steps:

1. From the Network > Dynamic DNS page, click the Add button. The Add DDNS Profile window is displayed.

2. If Enable this DDNS Profile is checked, the profile is administratively enabled, and the SonicWALL security appliance takes the actions defined in the Online Settings section on the Advanced tab.

3. If Use Online Settings is checked, the profile is administratively online.

4. Enter a name to assign to the DDNS entry in the Profile Name field. This can be any value used to identify the entry in the Dynamic DNS Settings table.

5. In the Profile page, select the Provider from the drop-down list at the top of the page. DynDNS.org and changeip.com use HTTPS, while yi.org and no-ip.com use HTTP. This example uses DynDNS.org. Dyndns.org requires the selection of a service. This example assumes you have created a dynamic service record with dyndns.org.

6. Enter your dyndns.org username and password in the User Name and Password fields.

7. Enter the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the hostname you registered with dyndns.org. Make sure you provide the same hostname and domain as you configured.

8. Optionally, select a WAN interface in the Bound to pulldown to assign this DDNS profile to that specific WAN interface. This allows administrators who are configuring multiple-WAN load balancing to advertise a predictable IP address to the DDNS service. By default, this is set to ANY, which means the profile is free use any of the WAN interfaces on the appliance.

9. When using DynDNS.org, select the Service Type from the drop-down list that corresponds to your type of service through DynDNS.org. The options are:

• Dynamic - A free Dynamic DNS service.

• Custom - A managed primary DNS solution that provides a unified primary/secondary DNS service and a Web-based interface. Supports both dynamic and static IP addresses.

• Static - A free DNS service for static IP addresses.

10. When using DynDNS.org, you may optionally select Enable Wildcard and/or configure an MX entry in the Mail Exchanger field. Check Backup MX if this is the backup mail exchanger.

11. Click the Advanced tab. You can typically leave the default settings on this page.

12. The On-line Settings section provides control over what address is registered with the dynamic DNS provider. The options are:

• Let the server detect IP Address - The dynamic DNS provider determines the IP address based upon the source address of the connection. This is the most common setting.

• Automatically set IP Address to the Primary WAN Interface IP Address - This will cause the SonicWALL device to assert its WAN IP address as the registered IP address, overriding auto-detection by the dynamic DNS server. Useful if detection is not working correctly.

• Specify IP Address manually - Allows for the IP address to be registered to be manually specified and asserted.

13. The Off-line Settings section controls what IP address is registered with the dynamic DNS service provider if the dynamic DNS entry is taken off-line locally (disabled) on the SonicWALL. The options are:

• Do nothing - the default setting. This allows the previously registered address to remain current with the dynamic DNS provider.

• Use the Off-Line IP address previously configured at Providers site - If your provider supports manual configuration of Off-Line Settings, you can select this option to use those settings when this profile is taken administratively offline.

14. Click OK.

Dynamic DNS Settings Table

The Dynamic DNS Settings table provides a table view of configured DDNS profiles.Dynamic DNS Settings table includes the following columns:

• Profile Name - The name assigned to the DDNS entry during its creation. This can be any value, and is used only for identification.

• Domain - The fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the DDNS entry.

• Provider - The DDNS provider with whom the entry is registered.

• Status - The last reported/current status of the DDNS entry. Possible states are:

• Online - The DDNS entry is administratively online. The current IP setting for this entry is shown with a timestamp.

• Taken Offline Locally - The DDNS entry is administratively offline. If the entry is Enabled, the action configured in the Offline Settings section of the Advanced tab is taken.

• Abuse - The DDNS provider has considered the type or frequency of updates to be abusive. Please check with the DDNS provider's guidelines to determine what is considered abuse.

• No IP change - abuse possible - A forced update without an IP address change is considered by some DDNS providers to be abusive. Automatic updates will only occur when address or state changes occur. Manual or forced should only be made when absolutely necessary, such as when registered information is incorrect.

• Disabled - The account has been disabled because of a configuration error or a policy violation. Check the profile's settings, and verify the DDNS account status with the provider.

• Invalid Account - The account information provided is not valid. Check the profile's settings, and verify the DDNS account status with the provider.

• Network Error - Unable to communicate with the DDNS provider due to a suspected network error. Verify that the provider is reachable and online. Try the action again later.

• Provider Error - The DDNS provider is unable to perform the requested action at this time. Check the profile's settings, and verify the DDNS account status with the provider. Try the action again later.

• Not Donator Account - Certain functions provided from certain provider, such as offline address settings, are only available to paying or donating subscribers. Please check with the provider for more details on which services may require payment or donation.

• Enabled - When selected, this profile is administratively enabled, and the SonicWALL will take the Online Settings action that is configured on the Advanced tab. This setting can also be controlled using the Enable this DDNS Profile checkbox in the entry's Profile tab. Deselecting this checkbox will disable the profile, and no communications with the DDNS provider will occur for this profile until the profile is again enabled.

• Online - When selected, this profile is administratively online. The setting can also be controlled using the Use Online Settings checkbox on the entry's Profile tab. Deselecting this checkbox while the profile is enabled will take the profile offline, and the SonicWALL will take the
  Offline Settings action that is configured on the Advanced tab.

• Configure - Includes the edit icon for configuring the DDNS profile settings, and the delete icon for deleting the DDNS profile entry.