HF PanelDocsv1.0.0

Set up Dynamic DNS for a home server

Give a computer, NAS or camera at home a name like home.example.com that follows its changing IP address, updated by your router or a script.

Most home and office internet connections get a new IP address from time to time. Dynamic DNS gives a device there a fixed name, such as home.example.com, and updates it whenever the address changes. Your router, or a small script, tells HF Panel the new address.

You need:

  • a domain in your hosting account that uses the server's nameservers (check Domains › DNS setup: it should say All set)
  • access to your router's settings, or a computer at home that can run a scheduled command

1. Create the name

  1. Open Control Panel › Domains › Dynamic DNS.
  2. Under Add a Dynamic DNS name, enter the Name home and choose the Domain example.com.
  3. Leave First address empty: the first update sets it.
  4. Tick Email me when the address changes if you want to know.
  5. Click Add.

2. Copy the token

The card Token for home.example.com appears with the Token and everything you need for the router or a script.

Important: copy the token now. It is shown only once. If you lose it, click New token on the name's row.

3a. Set up your router

In your router's Dynamic DNS settings, choose the dyndns2 or custom service and enter the values from the card:

Router field Value
Server the Server shown under Router (dyndns2)
User name / host name home.example.com
Password the token

Save. The router now updates the name each time its address changes.

3b. Or update from a script

On a computer at home, run the curl command shown under From a script every five minutes, for example with cron on Linux or macOS:

text
*/5 * * * * curl -fsS 'https://<update address>?token=<your token>' >/dev/null

Without &ip=, the address the request comes from is used, which is your home's public address.

4. Check it works

The name's row shows its IPv4 address and Last update. Click History to see each update with its Result. From anywhere, ping home.example.com now reaches your connection.

5. Reach the device

The name points at your router. To reach a device behind it (a NAS, a camera, a game server), forward the port you need on the router to that device. Only open the ports you need, and keep the device's own software up to date.

Tip: to show a website on your home computer to others without opening ports at all, use HF Tunnel instead.