Keep your IP address (dynamic and static) in sync with a specific DNS host name with No-IP

In the previous post we discussed that how you can host a web server in your computer. It was pretty easy to set up using HFS. But there was one problem that you have to remember your IP address to access the service in your computer from internet. It is easy if you have fixed IP. But it is quite impossible if you have dynamic IP as the IP address changes frequently.

This problem of dynamic IP can be handled using the service No-IP DUC (Dynamic DNS Update Client) free service. Use No-IP Free Dynamic DNS (DDNS) and redirection service to map a static or dynamic IP address or long URL to an easy to remember subdomain such as yourname.no-ip.biz. No-IP Updater is used with No-IP.com's free DNS service. This client keeps your IP address in sync with a specific DNS host name, provided by No-IP.com. This is helpful for users wanting to run a Web/FTP server on their home computer.

Sign up for the free service and create a DNS host name, for example testdemo.no-ip.org. Download and install the No-IP client. Login to the client and it will check your IP and update the IP for your DNS.

Some of the uses of No-IP are:

• Run a server on a dynamic IP (DHCP)
• Remotely access your computer
• URL redirection / port 80 redirection
• Run a personal website
• Access your DVR
• Run a FTP and mail server

The uses of this service are limitless and depends on your creativity. We will discuss about the uses in the future posts.

Technorati Tags: dynamic dns,dynamic dns service,dynamic dns server,dynamic ip address,ip address,static ip address,dns server,no-ip

Related Post:

• Make Home Web Server in few minutes to share files with HFS

Make Home Web Server in few minutes to share files with HFS

How do you share files with your friends? Most of us rely on instant messengers, P2P software, sending though emails or uploading it to ADrive, Windows Live Mesh, Rapidshare etc. The adventurous one would setup FTP Server. It would be easier if you setup a web server and put all files you want to share. And your friends can download the files from there. 

HFS (HTTP File Server) lets you do so. With few clicks of button. This small (600 KB) application turns your computer in a web server and the files you want to share are available for download on a web page. And trust me setting it up is quite easy. Just double click on the executable; and the application is up and running. As HFS does not requires setup and it is portable as well. You can run this application right from your USB Thumb Drive. Some of the salient features of HFS are:

• Download and upload
• Virtual file system
• Highly customizable
• HTML template
• Bandwidth control
• Easy/Expert mode
• Log
• Full control over connections
• Accounts
• Dynamic DNS updater

Sharing file is even more easier, drop the files in the file virtual file system of the application. Or this application lets you add the context menu in your computer to add the file in the virtual file system of HFS.

Sharing file with HFS

What the other peer see in the browser

Before you share the file with others. You need to set port forward in your router. Also you have to add this application as trusted application in your firewall. Once done you can share the link with your friends. You can also create restricted access by creating user id for external users.   And you can also access the files from your office as well. The application can also be run in Linux using wine.

If your ISP provides dynamic ip for your internet connection, then you can have your custom host name (e.g. myname.com etc.) point to your dynamic ip using No-Ip. I will discuss this in the next post.

My verdict for HFS is that it makes sharing your files easier and faster as you are shortening the distance by eliminating other servers. And pretty hit with my friends as well. The app is highly configurable, free of malware and 100% open source.

Related Link:

• How to set port forward in your router.

Technorati Tags: file sharing software,p2p file sharing software,file sharing,HFS,file sharing music,secure file sharing

Firewall Leak Tester

There are many occasions when our computer gets hacked by someone and gets infected by malwares, even though we have firewall installed on our computer. We blindly rely on the firewall that we have installed on our computer. As we know from the market statistics that the installed firewall in our computer is one of the best 5 or 10 firewalls on globe. We often forget to check if our firewall is working upto its benchmarked level or not. I came across a website auditmypc.com that checks firewall's leak. When I checked my one of the computer, the result was fantastic and I didn't have to pay any penny to purchase any firewall testing software as well. You can try testing your own firewall. As the services is totally free. Not only this, you can also do Anonymous Test, Popup Test, Internet Speed Test etc.

Result of Basic Scan

Result after Standard scan

Technorati Tags: Firewall,Leaky Firewall,Check Firewall