Automatic DNS changes via your router!

Point any DNS name to your dynamic/changing IP address, and have your router keep the DNS entry up to date automatically! For this short tutorial I am using the Buffalo WZR-600DHP, which is pre-loaded with the awesome and featureful DD-WRT firmware. Additional Tips: DD-WRT also has their own directions for setting up DD-WRT with FreeDNS.afraid.org You can also install DD-WRT on many router models, find other models with DD-WRT already loaded, run any one of the Dynamic DNS clients on a number of different platforms (including for the cloud), or easily roll your own thin update client.

• Make your account -> freedns.afraid.org -> Signup
  
• Make a dns record (subdomains -> add -> save)
  (You'll see your entry appear in the 'subdomains' page)

Your detected IP address will be pre-filled, and a unique update key will automatically be made for you.

That's all it takes to get up and running with a DNS name!

The full list of shared domains is in FreeDNS's Registry. Clicking on a domain allows you to attach a subdomain to it.

A word about the update cache: Beware that there is a short (only 2 minute long) frontend cache for repeat updates (> 3 updates) to the same update URL (which mitigates the very large volume of repeated requests to the backend), so when you are setting up a new update client, the safest method for testing updates is to point to an invalid address initially, and let your client solely do the first update to the correct address - this should provide assurances that your configuration is proper. (Otherwise, you can generate a new key for the record, or wait for old caches to expire)

Step 2, Router stuff

All you need is your update key from FreeDNS, so lets get that.

• Navigate to FreeDNS -> 'Dynamic DNS'.
• Copy the 'Direct URL' link.

You want the 'update key', which is the part after the '?' in the URL.

Next, in your router's admin interface [Screenshot Here]:

Navigate to : Setup tab -> DDNS subtab ...

Username:	guest
Password:	guest
Hostname:	dns_name,update_key
(Example: zeus.afraid.org,AFFEEFFFCCDDEEEFFFCC==)

The router just ignores the username and password fields, so do not worry about those. The 'dns_name', and 'update key', and its placement after the comma are the most important thing.

Hit Save, then Apply changes. Within 30 seconds or so it will come back up, automatically do an update, then display the update log to you on the same page.

Congratulations! You're done. Thats it!

Additional Tips: If you change your password, or you delete your DNS within FreeDNS, your key WILL change, and you will have to put your new 'update key' in your router.