🌐 HowTo: Expose My Computer with No-IP DDNS

Complete guide to making your home computer accessible from anywhere using No-IP Dynamic DNS service

Dynamic DNS (DDNS) is a great way to make your home computer accessible from anywhere, even if your ISP gives you a dynamic public IP.

No-IP provides a free and reliable DDNS service. This guide walks you through the entire process.

📋 Table of Contents

1. Create a No-IP Account and Hostname
2. Install the No-IP DUC (Dynamic Update Client)
3. Configure the DUC
4. Special Notes on Credentials
5. Verify the Setup
6. Configure Port Forwarding
7. Secure Your Setup
8. Test IP Change Handling
9. Key Lessons Learned

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✅ 1. Create a No-IP Account and Hostname

1. Go to No-IP for a free account.
2. Create a hostname (e.g., myhost.ddns.net).
3. Confirm your email and activate the hostname.

✅ 2. Install the No-IP DUC (Dynamic Update Client)

The DUC keeps your hostname updated with your current public IP.

• Download: No-IP DUC Download and install the client on your computer.
• During setup:
  • Log in with your No-IP credentials (or DDNS Key if configured).
  • Select the hostname you created.

✅ 3. Configure the DUC

• Open Preferences:
  • Enable Run as a system service (recommended for 24/7 updates).
  • Default update interval: 5 minutes.
• IP detection: Use remote methods (default).

✅ 4. Special Notes on Credentials

• If you signed up with Google, you must set a No-IP password via the password reset link.
• Alternatively, you can use DDNS Key credentials, but they only work on the same Windows account where configured.

✅ 5. Verify the Setup

• Check the DUC dashboard: Green check marks mean it’s working.

• On No-IP dashboard: Your hostname should show your current public IP.

• Test from an external network:

  ping myhost.ddns.net

• or use bash nslookup myhost.ddns.net

✅ 6. Configure Port Forwarding

To access services (RDP, SSH, web server):

1. Log in to your router.
2. Forward the required ports to your computer’s local IP:
   • RDP: TCP 3389
   • SSH: TCP 22
   • Custom apps: Define as needed.

🔒 7. Secure Your Setup

• Use strong passwords for remote services.
• Enable firewall rules to restrict access.
• Consider using a VPN for safer remote access.

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🧪 8. Test IP Change Handling

• Restart your router or use:

  ipconfig /release
  ipconfig /renew

• Confirm that:

DUC updates the IP within 5 minutes. Hostname resolves to the new IP.

💡 Key Lessons Learned

• Free plan allows 1 hostname, requires monthly confirmation.
• DUC as a service ensures updates even without user login.
• DUC credentials must be entered always from the same user.