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I have a computer running Arch Linux headless with SSH server and proftpd server. It's for a personal use. But it's a bit annoying to run the IP address every-time to connect to it.

Can I give it a domain name for absolutely free?

Can I use that over the internet?

Rui F Ribeiro
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15 Volts
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1 Answers1

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For having a DNS name on the Internet, if you do not mind of having a choice between a couple of silly domain names like whateveryourname.mooo.com, you can use the services of dynamic DNS FreeDNS for free.

Basically you create a free account, and link it to a hostname of your choice suffixed to a couple of fixed domain names for the free tier accounts. Cant remember from the top of my head if the free tier allowed to define up to 6 different hostnames with one account/IP address.

Then they give you a daemon/URL to be accessed with a key, and each time you call it from your VM, the DNS name will be updated with your (dynamic) public address.

As in (demo example):

 curl https://sync.afraid.org/u/CyTXMbtq5cPnLjEg5vKHTPDE/

See my related question, for dealing with updating the name if the DHCP service gives you a different IP address with the VM/machine is online: Better method for acting on IP address change from the ISP?

Having then a DNS name that it is linked to the current IP address, it is far more easier to connect to a machine/service, especially when the IP address changes.

Bonus points: DD-WRT/OpenWRT, and I think PfSense, support FreeDNS on their firmware/OS.

FreeDNS is not the only one dynamic DNS name service with free tiers, you also have got No-IP https://www.noip.com

Rui F Ribeiro
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  • Hello! Thank you for a great point I did not know about at all. Btw, I do have OpenWRT in my router. +1 – Vlastimil Burián Mar 05 '19 at 13:58
  • @Vlastimil same here ;) – Rui F Ribeiro Mar 05 '19 at 14:01
  • Hi! I wanted to ask websites like FreeDNS are also created from somewhere. Since it's the internet, I believe I can get a domain name for free? I mean FreeDNS can't be relied on other DNS providers, they has to create their site from scratch. How can I create a site solely on my own without relying on anybody?

    Is BIND helpful in such scenario?

     – 15 Volts Mar 06 '19 at 09:39
  • I do not know of any free DNS provider allowing you your own BIND/DNS hosting on your side. Too much bureaucracy and hassle. You have to pay GoDaddy or some other DNS provider for that. I would advise not abusing comments for asking much more unrelated questions, you are welcome to open other questions, however I advise making an effort for them to be on topic. – Rui F Ribeiro Mar 06 '19 at 11:08