Dynamic DNS via web server, vbScript and Task Scheduler

A couple scripts in php and vbScript along with a couple setup instructions to setup an automatic dynamic domain name server updating system.

This project contains:

• php code
• vbScript code
• setup Instructions and references

Requirements

• Webserver that runs php
• API key that can access dns-* methods
• host name for the domain name
• windows OS that can run Visual Basic Scripts
• Task Scheduler on Windows OS

Code Example

Once setup the vbScript makes an HTTP request to

http://mydomain.com/myscript.php?host=&passwd=&ip=

Motivation

Originally the Dynamic DNS updating was performed by DynDNS service which was free of charge. Since they moved onto a payment model the account associated to the address being updated was deleted. This motivated the creation of a self maintained Dynamic DNS service using web hosting at dreamhost that was being paid for anyway.

Installation

• Create an API Key with Function Access ** dns-(asterix) ** this includes All dns functions

• dns-add_record
• dns-list_records
• dns-remove_record

• Add a custom DNS record with the hostname that you wish

• Type: A
• Value: any IP address as we will update this

• Install and configure the php script on your webserver. Following instructions at Dreamhost Wiki
• ssh into your webspace
• goto a web accessible directory and download the php script dyndns.php
• change the access rights and modify the script to include your

• '$DH_API_KEY', setting the value to the API key given
• '$HOSTS' to limit it to only the dns entries you wish to allow modification to
• '$PASSWD' to protect this page

• Download and configure the vbscript to the computer in the network you want to update the host domain name from

• Setup a repetitive task with the windows task scheduler to call this script.

All done.

API Reference

• Dreamhost Wiki on Dynamic DNS
• How to Schedule Tasks in Windows XP
• Http GET in vbScript

Tests

• Server Side setup only test

• With the API Key, the hostname reserved and the php script downloaded and configured you can manually test the update.

• Open a webbrowser and open the following url

• http://mydomain.com/dyndns.php?host=&passwd=&ip=

• You should see the result.

Contributors

Any suggestions to improvements are welcome. I must say this is just a quick mock up but works fine.

License

The php script is found through dreamhost wiki here. I only have a copy of it here for backup purposes and for completeness of the required scripts. Fell free to use the script as you wish.