What is a DDNS Key?

A DDNS Key is a set of credentials specific to a hostname or multiple hostnames. Once created, a DDNS Key can be used to configure Dynamic DNS without using your account login credentials.

Why Use a DDNS Key?

• DDNS Keys offer improved security by having unique credentials that are disassociated from your No-IP account login.
• No-IP login credentials can be updated without the need to reconfigure update clients.
• DDNS Keys offer better update client compatibility, especially with updates targeting multiple hostnames.

Creating a DDNS Key

You can create a DDNS Key from the “DNS Records” page within your No-IP account.

Find and click on the Create DDNS Key option for the hostname you would like to create a DDNS Key for.

On the next window, click Generate DDNS Key. This will create the DDNS Key and bring you to the DDNS Key Setup modal.

On the Setup modal you have the options of changing your DDNS Key username to a DDNS Key email address (in case your update client requires it) or adding a friendly name.

Do not navigate away from the setup page. This information is required to configure Dynamic DNS, and this is your only chance to copy or save the DDNS Key password.

DDNS Key passwords cannot be recovered. If you lose your DDNS Key password, you must request another from the Modify DDNS Key modal.

Configuring Dynamic DNS

Now that the DDNS Key is created, you can configure Dynamic DNS (DDNS) using the DDNS Key username and password for your credentials.

Setting up Dynamic DNS requires you have access to a device that physically exists at the remote network. You can either download our Dynamic Update Client (DUC) on a computer at the network, or you can use a device that supports No-IP. Routers, cameras, DVRs and most other devices that can be accessed remotely support our Dynamic DNS (DDNS) service.

On a Computer With the DUC

First, download and install our client on either Windows, Linux or Mac.

For Windows or Mac, once installed, run the application and enter your DDNS Key username and DDNS Key password when prompted. Once logged in, select the checkbox adjacent to “all.ddnskey.com”. Your hostname is now configured with DDNS and will receive automatic IP updates from the DUC software.

If you plan to use the Linux client, you can follow our Linux installation instructions.

On a Router or Other Device

To configure DDNS on any other device, you first need to log into it. The manufacturer of your chosen device should have provided you with instructions on how to do so, if you don’t have their instructions, check out our Configuring DDNS on a Router guide for some suggestions.

Once you are logged in, search for the Dynamic DNS or DDNS settings. They are typically found under the “Advanced” options.

The DDNS settings may look different depending on what device is being configured, but the following information will be requested:

DDNS Provider: No-IP
Username: Your DDNS Key Username / Email
Password: Your DDNS Key Password
Hostname/Domain: all.ddnskey.com
Server/Server Address: dynupdate.no-ip.com
Not every device will ask you for a server or server address. The service will still work without issue, if the device does not ask for it.

Select No-IP, add our Server Address (if requested), and add your DDNS Key information in the designated fields. When finished, confirm those settings. The IP address on your selected hostname should now match your public IP address. You can view your public IP address by checking our port check tool website while connected to the same network as the device that is being configured.

If the IP does not match, double check the DDNS settings on your device, check for any firmware updates, and ensure DDNS is Enabled.

Lastly, if you are configuring DDNS for the first time on your network, and your goal is establishing a remote connection to a device or a webpage, you will need to configure Port Forwarding.

Managing Existing DDNS Keys

DDNS Keys are credentials for a hostname or a group of hostnames. A DDNS Key can have a single hostname or several depending on your needs. DDNS Keys can be managed from the Groups page..

From the Groups page, clicking on the “Actions” dropdown will give you the following options.

• Edit Group - Add or Remove hostnames from the group. Hostnames that share the same group will all receive the same IP address updates.
• Delete Group - Deletes the group along with the DDNS Key credentials.
• Modify DDNS Key - Change your username to an email address, assign a new password to that DDNS Key, or edit the “Friendly Name”.
• Delete DDNS Key - Deletes only the DDNS Key credentials.

If you need further help or have any questions, feel free to contact our support team.