Is a Domain Name Required to Use DDNS?

Introducing methods to implement DDNS without purchasing a domain name, using NullPrivate or AdGuardHome services
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Introduction

Dynamic DNS (DDNS) typically requires purchasing a domain name, but now there’s a simpler method: implementing DDNS without a domain name. This article will introduce how to use services like NullPrivate or AdGuardHome to achieve this functionality.

Core Concepts

Domain-free DDNS refers to implementing dynamic domain name resolution by utilizing private DNS services instead of purchasing traditional public domain names. This approach has the following characteristics:

  • No domain purchase required: Uses private domains or pseudo-domains
  • Privacy protection: Only users connected to the private DNS service can resolve
  • Immediate effect: Changes take effect without cache time, no need to wait for DNS propagation

Supported Services

NullPrivate

NullPrivate is a private DNS service that provides basic DNS rewriting functionality. Through its DNS rewriting feature, DDNS can be implemented.

  • Both self-deployment and SaaS services available
  • Download and run DDNS scripts directly from the service interface

NullPrivate

AdGuardHome

AdGuardHome is an open-source DNS server that can also implement similar functionality.

  • Requires self-deployment of AdGuardHome instance
  • Supports DDNS configuration via scripts

AdGuardHome

Setup Steps

Using NullPrivate

  1. Ensure NullPrivate is deployed and running
  2. Navigate to the DNS Rewrite page
  3. Download the DDNS script
  4. Run the script:

Windows

Set-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope Process
.\ddns-script.ps1

Linux/macOS

chmod +x ddns-script.sh
./ddns-script.sh

Using AdGuardHome

  1. Ensure AdGuardHome is deployed and running
  2. Download the script from the Release page
  3. Run the script:

Windows

Set-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope Process
.\ddns.ps1 -BaseUrl <base_url> -Username <username> -Password <password> -Domain <domain>

Linux/macOS

chmod +x ddns.sh
./ddns.sh -b <base_url> -u <username> -p <password> -d <domain>

Advantage Comparison

Compared to traditional DDNS, this solution has the following advantages:

Feature Traditional DDNS Domain-free DDNS
Domain Cost Requires purchase No purchase needed
DNS Cache Has cache time Immediate effect
DNS Propagation Requires waiting Immediately available
Privacy Protection Public resolution Private resolution
Setup Complexity Relatively complex Simple and fast

Workflow Diagram

graph TD
    A[User has dynamic IP] --> B[Deploy NullPrivate or AdGuardHome]
    B --> C[Download DDNS script]
    C --> D[Run script to configure DDNS]
    D --> E[Script periodically updates DNS records]
    E --> F[Client uses private domain to access]
    F --> G[DNS resolves to current IP]

    style A fill:#e1f5fe
    style B fill:#f3e5f5
    style C fill:#e8f5e8
    style D fill:#fff3e0
    style E fill:#fce4ec
    style F fill:#e0f2f1
    style G fill:#f3e5f5

Features

  • Quick setup: Utilize existing services, no additional configuration needed
  • Cross-platform support: Supports Windows and Unix-like systems
  • Multiple authentication methods: Supports cookies or username/password authentication
  • Full compatibility: Seamlessly integrates with AdGuardHome