ddclient is a dynamic DNS client that keeps DNS records synchronised with a changing public IP address. It is particularly useful for internet connections where the service provider does not assign a permanent address.
The application allows servers and network devices to remain accessible through a consistent hostname even when their public IP address changes. This makes it useful for home servers, remote access and self-hosted services.
ddclient supports numerous dynamic DNS services and uses curl for network communication. It can run continuously in the background or be invoked periodically by a system scheduler.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Supports numerous dynamic DNS providers, including Cloudflare, Duck DNS, Dynu, Namecheap, No-IP, OVH and Porkbun.
- Updates DNS records using provider-specific APIs and standard dynamic DNS protocols.
- Supports RFC 2136 DNS UPDATE for compatible authoritative DNS servers.
- Can determine the public IP address from broadband routers, network interfaces and external IP detection services.
- Supports updating multiple hostnames and DNS records through a single configuration.
- Daemon mode with configurable intervals for checking address changes.
- Can be invoked through cron or network connection scripts.
- Caches address information to avoid unnecessary updates.
- Supports IPv4 and IPv6 address updates where permitted by the provider.
- Provides verbose logging and debugging options for diagnosing authentication, connectivity and update failures.
- Configuration options cover account credentials, DNS providers, address detection and update behaviour.
Website: github.com/ddclient/ddclient
Support:
Developer: ddclient contributors (originally Paul Burry)
License: GNU General Public License v2.0
ddclient is written in Perl. Learn Perl with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Alternatives to dig | |
|---|---|
| dog | DNS client with colorful output, DNS-over-TLS and DNS-over-HTTPS support |
| doggo | Command-line DNS client for humans |
| drill | Perform DNS lookups and display answers returned from the name server(s) |
| dnslookup | Supports plain DNS, DoH, DoT, DoQ, and DNSCrypt |
| dug | Global DNS propagation checker |
| q | Support for UDP, TCP, DoT, DoH, DoQ and ODoH |
| DNS Clients | |
|---|---|
| dog | Colourful output, understands normal command-line argument syntax |
| doggo | Command-line DNS client for humans |
| q | Tiny command line DNS client supporting UDP, TCP, DoT, DoH, DoQ and ODoH |
| ddclient | Update dynamic DNS entries |
| GoDNS | Dynamic DNS (DDNS) client tool |
| dig | DNS lookup utility |
| awl | DNS lookup tool |
| ZDNS | High-speed DNS resolver and command line utility |
| dnslookup | Make DNS lookups |
| dug | Global DNS propagation checker |
| drill | Perform DNS lookups |
| dness | Dynamic DNS client |
| zns | Fast DNS lookup tool with DNSSEC validation and delegation tracing |
| In-a-Dyn | Small and simple Dynamic DNS, DDNS, client |
| doh | Query multiple DNS-over-HTTPS resolvers with JSON output |
| dnsupdate | Modern and flexible dynamic DNS client |
| ch4 | Dig-compatible DNS client with UDP, TCP and EDNS support |
| wig | Simple and lightweight DNS client |
| dyndnsc | Dynamic DNS update client |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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very cool. i will definitely use it.