Dynamic DNS Update Clients and Scripts

Dynamic DNS update clients

Keep your hostname updated from a router, server, NAS, or PC.

If your router cannot update DNSExit directly, run an update client or script on any always-on device in your network. It watches your public IP and updates your Dynamic DNS hostname when the IP changes.

Generate My Update Setup Router Setup Guide DNS API Docs Blocked inbound access?

Choose the best method

Router DDNSBest when your router supports custom DDNS URLs.

Curl/API scriptBest for Linux, macOS, NAS, Raspberry Pi, and servers.

Windows serviceUse on an always-on Windows PC when router DDNS is not available.

Developer APIBuild your own updater or integrate DNS updates into your tooling.

Create a hostname

Use a domain or free domain and create the hostname you want to keep updated.

Pick an updater

Use router DDNS first, or run a client/script on an always-on device.

Verify DNS

Run nslookup and confirm your hostname points to your current public IP.

When the hostname updates but access still fails

Dynamic DNS cannot fix CGNAT, blocked inbound ports, or a router you cannot change.

If your DNSExit hostname points to the right public IP but outside connections still fail, use Remote Access next: Public Tunnel for local web apps and webhook testing, or Static-IP Relay for SSH, VPN, RDP, cameras, and other TCP services.

Start Free Remote Access DDNS vs Public Tunnel Compare tunnel options

Update Dynamic DNS in 3 Simple Steps

Keep your hostname pointed to your current IP address by choosing the easiest update method for your setup.

New to Dynamic DNS? Start here: create a free account, add your hostname, then copy your update command or router URL.

Step 1

Create a free account

Create your DNS Exit account so you can manage your hostnames and generate update commands.

Step 2

Add your hostname

After you sign in, add the hostname you want to keep updated, then open the Dynamic IP Update page to generate your command.

Step 3

Use router, client, or script

After setup, use your update URL in a router, DDNS client, or scheduled task.

https://api.dnsexit.com/dns/ud/?apikey=API-Key&host=host.domain.com

Manual API and cURL Updates

If you prefer a command line or custom integration, use the update URL below. DNS Exit will detect your public IP automatically unless you pass the optional ip parameter.

curl https://api.dnsexit.com/dns/ud/?apikey=API-Key -d host=hostname1,hostname2

Note: Simply add the parameter -d ip=xx.xx.xx.xx to override the updated IP(IPv4 or IPv6). Please make sure your update interval is more than 4 minutes.

For multiple hosts, separate the hostnames with commas. The API Key can be created at your account Dashboard -> Settings

To test the update URL in a browser, open:

https://api.dnsexit.com/dns/ud/?apikey=API-Key&host=host.domain.com

Note: You need to replace the API-KEY and hostname with your own api key and hostname

The return is JSON file with a successfull update like:

{"code" : 0, "message" : "Success - some details about the update"}

code:0 indicates successfull updates while code:1 indicates IP address not changed. Other returning codes indicates errors.

curl (short for "Client URL") is a command line tool that can communicates with a web server with a relevant URL. Or in other words, it is just like a text based web browser. The curl command is built in most Operating Systems including Linux, Unix, MacOS, and Windows (sinc Windows 10 ). If your windows does not have curl command, you can refer to install curl on windows to learn how to install it.

DNS API

We provide a fully restful API with direct and powerful access to a vast array of features. Developers can incorporate our API services directly into software and services. DNS API Document

Legacy Dynamic IP Update Software and Protocols

Note: For new setups, we recommend the current curl/API update method when possible. The legacy clients and protocols remain available for older systems and routers.

Create a Password just for Dynamic IP Updates

Some legacy clients use a username and password to update your IP. For better security, create a separate IP Update Password instead of using your main web login password. To create the IP Update Password:

Login to your account -> Dashboard -> Settings -> IP Update Password

IP Update 1.71 (perl script)

Linux IP Updater is a Dynamic DNS update utility for Linux, Unix, and macOS systems. It is useful for servers, NAS devices, Raspberry Pi, and always-on machines inside your network.

Download ipUpdate-1.71.tar.gz

To unzip the file, use command:
>> tar xzvf ipUpdate-1.71.tar.gz
Refer to dnsexit/doc/README.txt for instructions.

Tips for the Linux script:

Has the option to run as daemon and autostart after reboot. It will automatically insert crontab to start the script at system startup.

File /tmp/dnsexit-ip.txt will cache the ip address of the last successful IP update to our system. For next update, if the IP stays the same, the update request won't be sent to our server. You can simply change the IP at dnsexit-ip.txt file to force the update to DNSEXIT.

File /var/log/dnsexit.log contains the update history for your IP.