Coral: dtdns intro

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DtDNS - Introduction

The majority of domestic Internet connections are via a dynamic IP address, one that can change every time you connect to the Internet. A web server requires a static IP address. A free dynamic DNS service such as DtDNS provides accounts and tracking software to automatically update your IP address when it changes, creating the effect of a static IP address. The Uniform Server has a built-in utility which supports the DtDNS service. This page covers the configuration sub-menu, which allows you to configure and test the DtDNS service.

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Edit DtDNS Accounts

Server Configuration > DtDNS > Edit DtDNS Accounts

For each account you wish to update at DtDNS add a block with the following format:

[account_1] - A unique name enclosed in square brackets. Can be any name you wish do not include spaces.
hostname = - Full host name as configured at DtDNS
password = - Your DtDNS account password

An extract from the configuration file (dtdns.ini) is shown on the right.

  • Add as many blocks as required.
  • To use the examples uncomment (remove the ;) and substitute your data as appropriate.
;#################################

;[account_1]
;hostname = books.effers.com
;password = fred123

;[account_2]
;hostname = books.effers.net
;password = fred123

;[account_3]
;hostname = books.dtdns.net
;password = fred123

;=== END Config ==================

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Force DtDNS UpDATE

Server Configuration > DtDNS > Force DtDNS UpDATE


Runs the Uniform Server DtDNS update script. A conformation pop-up is produced "DtDNS was manually updated View log for details."

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Enable Log

Logging is enabled by default you can turn logging off using this menu option. The DtDNS script is open in Notepad.

Server Configuration > DtDNS > Enable Log


To disable logging change the following line as shown:

  • logging = false

Extract from script (dtdns_updater.vbs) is shown on the right.

'*** User configuration *****************************************

 logging = true   'true  = Enable logging false = disable logging
 test    = false  'true  = display IP address and host names
                  'false = no display

'************************************** End User configuration ***

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View Log

Server Configuration > DtDNS > View Log


This menu option displays the DtDNS log file in Notepad. Each updater run produces an entry in the log file. An example of one run is shown on the right.

18/07/2011 22:42:18 ### Log Started =========================================
18/07/2011 22:42:25 Changed IP from: xx.x10.165.92 To xx.x10.160.158 books.dtdns.net
18/07/2011 22:42:31 Changed IP from: xx.x10.165.92 To xx.x10.160.158 books.effers.com
18/07/2011 22:42:36 Changed IP from: xx.x10.165.92 To xx.x10.160.158 fredxx.dtdns.net
18/07/2011 22:42:36 ### Log Ended ===========================================

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Enable in CRON

Every time you start your PC and reconnect to the Internet (given a new IP address) you need to manually run the DtDNS updater.


Remembering to manually run scripts like DtDNS becomes a chore. Uniform Server centralises running this type of script using portable Cron. Cron is started either manually (portable) or run as a service. It periodically executes a list of scripts; the DtDNS script is included and requires enabling as follows:

Server Configuration > DtDNS > Enable in CRON


Opens Cron configuration file in Notepad

  • Locate section shown on right
;[dtdns]
;start  = 2011-04-7 13:20:00  
;period = 600                 ; 10 Mins as required by DtDNS
;path   = C:\UniServer\uni_con\dtdns_updater\Run_dtdns_updater.bat
;ref    =

Enable pre-configured DtDNS section in Cron as follows:

  • Un-comment four lines as shown on right.
;[dtdns]
start  = 2011-04-7 13:20:00  
period = 600                 ; 10 Mins as required by DtDNS
path   = C:\UniServer\uni_con\dtdns_updater\Run_dtdns_updater.bat
ref    =

Note: You can change the start time and period to suite your own requirements see Cron Configuration file for details.

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Where to go next

DtDNS - Detail
Create DtDNS Account
Run Cron as a program
Run Cron as a service