Assign a fixed IP to the router - how it works
You can assign a fixed IP to your router in the home network, but your provider determines the address externally. This changes with every new connection, but at least once a day. This practical tip shows how you can still access your home network from a fixed address.
Fixed IP address with dynamic DNS service
So that you no longer have the problem with the daily changing addresses, you can register with a provider for a dynamic DNS service. The provides you with a fixed DNS address, roughly following the pattern "username.dns-service.de". So that the DNS service provider also knows the address of your network, the router or a small program gives the provider the new IP after each new dial-up. Now you can select your DNS address with the desired program and land in your own home network.
Step by step to the dynamic DNS address
- Find a provider for a dynamic DNS address. FreeDNS, NoIP or MyFritz from AVM are free. DynDNS, the most well-known provider, offers a fee-based service. There, “Remote Access” costs € 25 a year.
- Register for an account and note the DNS address given to you by the provider.
- Log in to your router and check whether you can enter your dynamic DNS account there. With the Fritz! Box you will find this under "Internet - Shares - Dynamic DNS". If your router does not offer this option, the providers usually offer a program for your computer that communicates the IP of your network.
- Finished. You can now be reached at your new DNS address. Now you can set up port forwarding and sharing on your router to use the desired services in your own network.
DNS clients to update your router IP
If your router does not offer this option, you can use small programs to keep the IP up to date with your provider.
- In this case, NoIP offers the "Dynamic DNS Update Client" software. They are available for Windows, Mac and Linux.
- At Dyn, the product is called "Dyn Update Client".
- FreeDNS offers a small "daemon" for Linux that compares your IP with FreeDNS. You can find this and a Windows client for FreeDNS on the open source platform Sourceforge.
If you make your network accessible from the outside, you should also think about security. Turn on firewalls and close unnecessary port forwarding on your router. The following practical tip describes where you can find the firewall settings in Windows.