1.       What is Dynamic DNS ?
Thjs seems like a simple question, right ?  Well think again.  To understand Dynamic DNS (Domain Name Service) it is important to understand regular DNS.  This brings us to the point of understanding the computers communication service in general.  We will begin by discussing Internet Protocol (IP) addressing in it’s most elementary form.  IP addressing in a computer network is similar to a telephone number in a telephone network.  It registers you with a presence on network.  You can distribute your phone number and other phone users can contact you by dialing your phone number.  The same is true of a computer on a computer network.  You can distribute your IP address to other users and they can connect to your computer by entering your IP address in their web browser and connect to your computer.  The difference between the two is that a telephone number takes the form of  860-555-1212, while an IP address takes the form of  111.222.333.444  Here is how DNS plays a role in this…. In the case of the telephone, phone numbers are listed in a telephone book.  You can lookup a name and it translates into a phone number.  Bob Jones becomes 860-555-1234.  A DNS server performs the same function for a computer network.  Entering  WWW.DynZone.Com  translates into 193.143.69.2  our IP address.  So whats the problem then?  The problem arises out of the fact that most everyone IP address changes, sometimes as often as once every four hours, and their phone number changes only if the request it or move away.  That is the difference between a “Static” and “Dynamic” address.  The static IP address, like the phone number, never changes and Internet Service Providers charge a premium for these addresses.  The rest of us have to deal with Dynamic Host Control Protocol (DHCP).  This is the IP addressing service most Cable and DSL providers support.  Every time you boot your computer and connect to the internet, or dial into AOL, MSN, or any similar service, you are assigned a new (most often different) IP address.  By design other users would not be able to connect to your computer because your address would (might) be different from the last time you connected to the internet, and they would not be able to find you unless you distributed you address each time it changed.  So the simple solution is to enter your address in the computers equivalent to a telephone directory, a Domain Name Serve (DNS).  Almost there…. A DNS server and a Dynamic DNS server (the word “server” is redundant) are for all intent and purpose, the same, except for one small difference.  A DNS server deals with “Static” IP address, those that never change, and a “Dynamic” DNS server deals with address that often change, like those provided by Cable and DSL Providers.  On a “Static” DNS server the IP entry is made by an internet service provider.  On a “Dynamic” DNS server the entry is made and updated by a user such as yourself.  To facilitate making these changes, programs such as DynSite (www.dynsite.com) and DirectUpdate (www.directupdate.net) make these changes for you.

2.       So, to answer the original question… What is Dynamic DNS ?…. It is a service that registers your presence on the internet, by entering your computer systems name in a directory along with its current IP address.  Since your IP address is always changing, other users can find you using your “internet name”. which will never change

3.       Internet Name, Host Name ,  What the difference ?  

A “Hostname” is most often the name of your computer.  It can be found by clicking  Start > Settings > Control Panel > System .> Computer Name .  The “Full Computer Name” might look like this…. bob.limelightweb.com    bob would be the “Hostname”, LimeLightWeb.Com would be the “Domain”.  The entire entry, bob.limelightweb.com would be the Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN).  You can change the Hostname at will on your computer.  A DNS server also requires an entry called a Host.  Most often it is the computers Hostname, but it doesn’t have to be.  In your Dynamic DNS server account,  you will be asked for a Host Name to call your connection.  You can use any name you wish (as long as someone else is not using the same name).  Remember, the object is to make it simple for people to remember.  Using a name like “Home” would result in a FQDN like this…. home.dynzone.com.  When someone typed home.dynzone.com they would be connect to your computer.  In conclusion, there is no difference between a DNS Hostname, a computer Hostname, and an internet name.  The are all just a name to different objects.

4.       Can I use my own Domain Name with this service ?

Dynamic DNS is a way to have your own domain name (like yourdomainname.com) pointing to your own IP (Internet) address, even if your address is dynamically assigned by your Internet Service Provider, and changes all the time.  It means you can host your own web/ftp server at home (or any servers you like) and everyone can access it using "hostname.yourdomainname.com".  You may purchase your Domain Name at any registrar and enter it in the space provided on the Domain page of your Dynzone account.  You will have to enter our NameServers into the nameservers section of the registration form on the registrars site when registering your new domain.  Without these entries your service will not work. They are:

NS1.LIMELIGHTWEB.COM                        IP  198.143.69.2

NS2.LIMELIGHTWEB.COM                        IP  198.143.69.3

5.       What does the “UpDater” do for me ?
The DirectUpdate (www.directupdate.net) and DynSite (www.dynsite.com) updaters will help you keep your domain name up to date with your dynamic IP address.  It means you can have your own domain name always pointing to your computer IP address. Now you are able to host your own web server, ftp server, or Game server, and share files or video conference with friends and family.

6.       Are the updaters part of the DynZone Dynaminc DNS Service ?

As with all things in life… Yes and No.  No, they are not part of this service in the sense that they are required for the service to operate, or that we provide it free of charge when you sign up.  Yes, they make managing your account a lot easier.  Any ‘Updater” can be used for this service as long as it meets the standards for the protocol.  The two provided on this site meet those standards.  The “Updater” makes it easy to keep the IP (internet) address associated with your account current, which may change as often as every four hours.  You can change the address manually if you like by logging into you account and changing the address in the IP section of the service.  The “Updater” is an additional cost, apart from the Dynzone Service.  They are written by individuals who offer them as an accoutrement to this service.  The ones offered on this site sell for $15 payable to those individuals.

7.      I subscribed to the DynZone Service and installed the “Updater”, what do I do now ?

If you wish to run your own NameServer, Web Server, Mail Server, or Game Server, run a Web Cam, or  share music files , or whatever, your next step is to install that software on the computer running the “Updater” service.  If you have a Router/Firewall such as a NetGear, Linksys, or Belkin, you will need to open the ports for these services to allow users in.  Be sure to check with your Cable or DSL Service Provider to verify that these service ports are  permitted on their systems.

8.      What is a “Port” and why would my service provider block it ?

When a computer program wants to communicate over a network to another computer, the transmitting program and the receiving program need to know how to locate each other.  This is done by utilizing a service provided by the operating system (such as XP or Windows 2000) which in turn transmits the data through “Ports”, similar to channels on a TV.  Different services use different Ports.  Unlike a TV which has an average of 100+ channels, there are 65535 communications ports on your computer.  To make life easier for the programmers, the common ports have been standardized. 

Some ports, such as those used by a Web Server (Port 8080) are blocked by some service providers.  Those providers want to prevent users from running their own Web Server because it use’s excessive bandwidth and slows their network.  They also charge more for that type of service.  There are ways around it, of course.

9.      What are some the common ports numbers and services ?

Click here for a list of Services and their associated port numbers.  Be aware that this list is quite large.