Truth about No-IP, DynDNS, Dynamic and Static IPs

[Paulius]

I have realized that many people do not understand how No-IP, DynDNS, Deerfield and other dynamic IP services work. So this sticky is a little How-To onto understanding how they work and what they do. Later on, this information will be available on the new GSTutor website.

First, I'll be referring to No-IP and other services using the term "Dynamic DNS". They are designed for being used for a dynamic IP because they are useless on a static IP.

First, let's compare a dynamic IP versus a satic IP:

• Dynamic IP - The IP address changes
  The IP addresses changes whenever the connection is reconnected. If you're using a router, this may be every few months or daily if you're modem is connected directly to your computer. There are, however, many people using a dynamic IP with their routers and successfully keep their IPs for a few months.
  
  
• Static IP - The IP address is always the same (does not change)
  The IP address is always the same and it can only be changed by asking the ISP. Static IP services cost an extra fee on your current monthly plan and some ISPs even include a static IP with their highest speed service. If you want a static IP, talk with your ISP.

What does all of this mean for you?
Well, whenever a player will enter your server in the favorites, Steam will be relying on the server's IP address to allow the player to connect. When your server's IP stays the same, there is no problem. But when your IP changes, all your regular players will be gone because they'll see a "NOT RESPONDING" error on your server.

Oh sure they could look in the server list to desperately try to find your hostname. But most people do not unless they rate your server "g0dly".

So we can understand that the goal of a static IP is to make it keep the same IP address as long as you can so that you can get your server visible to all the people who will add it to favorites.

And how does the Dynamic DNS services work?
Well, here is how it works. All of the Internet is formed around DNS servers. These servers resolve a domain (ex: hlds101.com) into an IP address to the server hosting the website (ex: 216.127.255.1).

This means that the only thing that the DNS services do is check if your IP address has changed and then make your subdomain forward to this IP. This means that... A dynamic DNS service will work if you're hosting a website but not if you're hosting a server.

So why doesn't it work for servers?
We have two reasons here

1. Because Steam resolves the DNS as soon as you input it.
   This means that when you type in yourserver.no-ip.com, Steam will right away get the IP address for it and won't be able to track the IP changes from the DNS.
   
   
2. Because people joining in to your server don't know the DNS.
   Players who have found your server through the master server list will only see the IP and won't be able to track it's changes.

So there you have it. Dynamic DNSes will not work for game servers. You should instead contact your service provider and ask for a static IP.

[detoxx1]

ahh darn. but thanks. i guess i should stop trying now lol

[Gotrice]

Yes i know about this, thats why I use The Dyndns autoUpdater

And like i said If your a cheap ass like me use dyndns, And also use the Updater

[Paulius]

Yes i know about this, thats why I use The Dyndns autoUpdater

I'm exactly saying that things like this don't work for gaming servers.

Read the whole thing more carefully.
PS: The whole point of ALL dynamic IP services is to "auto-update". sigh.

[Gotrice]

Yes mam, umm i mean sir!

[detoxx1]

Yes mam, umm i mean sir!

probably not the smartest thing to say to a moderator. or to anyone, for that matter. in fact, he was tryin to help you and i dont see why you would do that

[Garrett]

Hes trying to be 'funny' but thanks for the infomation paulius.

[ben]

Paulius, by any chance do you know how much a static IP will cost on average? I think a lot of people may have this question.

[Paulius]

Paulius, by any chance do you know how much a static IP will cost on average? I think a lot of people may have this question.

Depends by ISPs. I know some in Canada that give it for free to all the subscribers, but some ISPs can take in more than $50 more per month. Others, can't even offer the service at all.

[detoxx1]

Depends by ISPs. I know some in Canada that give it for free to all the subscribers, but some ISPs can take in more than $50 more per month. Others, can't even offer the service at all.

will "bell dsl high speed" (not lite, just high speed) offer it free? i tried to email them, but they said that the service they ofer for that is for business, and is double in cost but basically same speed/bandwidth and stats