topic Re: Remotely updating a dynamic IP address on OpenDNS for web content filtering in OpenDNS

Remotely updating a dynamic IP address on OpenDNS for web content filtering

ofits — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 01:26:40 GMT

I am using the free version of OpenDNS to filter web content on my home network, but I am often away for periods of time for work. I understand that since I have a dynamic IP address through my ISP, the web filtering services will stop working once my IP address is changed. I also understand that the OpenDNS Updater software client will push the new IP address to OpenDNS, but that doesn't help if I'm not currently on the network. So, is it possible to push a new IP address to OpenDNS without being on the network?

I checked the FAQ threads and didn't find anything, but I apologize if I missed something.

Thanks for any help!

Re: Remotely updating a dynamic IP address on OpenDNS for web content filtering

mattwilson9090 — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 02:27:58 GMT

I think you are asking if there is some way to update your IP address registration for your home network while you are not at home.

The short answer is that no, you can't do that remotely, as some device on your network must actually make the change.

That said, there are ways to accomplish this

- Devices other than a PC running an updater client can perform the update for you. My preferred method is to have the router do the updates, but that requires the router to have firmware that is capable of either directly updating OpenDNS or DNS-O-Matic (which is owned by OpenDNS as well, and can update OpenDNS and other services for you). Many third party routers for consumer routers such as Linksys, Netgera or ASUS can do this and that 's what I've been doing for years

- You could remotely connect to a device in your home network (how you do that depends on what you have at both ends of the connection, and using a browser on that "remote target" manually do the update, but that is admittedly a cumbersome process

Basically, there are ways to do this automatically from devices on your home network, but exactly what those are depends on what you have. I offered these two as a starting point for you to start thinking about possibilities.

Re: Remotely updating a dynamic IP address on OpenDNS for web content filtering

ofits — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 02:40:01 GMT

I think you are asking if there is some way to update your IP address registration for your home network while you are not at home.

The short answer is that no, you can't do that remotely, as some device on your network must actually make the change.

That was what I was asking, thank you for the quick answer! I think the best solution for me at this point is to use a remote connection tool (probably TeamViewer) to update manually. I appreciate the suggestion!

Re: Remotely updating a dynamic IP address on OpenDNS for web content filtering

mattwilson9090 — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 03:33:37 GMT

Not sure what you'd be connecting with via TeamViewer, but odds are if it can run TeamViewer this way and be remoted into, it can probably run an updater client. That way IP updates will happen as they occur, and you won't need to do it manually.

Re: Remotely updating a dynamic IP address on OpenDNS for web content filtering

ofits — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 03:42:47 GMT

My understanding is you have to manually click a button on the OpenDNS updater client to update the IP address registration, correct? Or will it automatically update as long as the program is running in the system tray?

Everyone at home is very computer illiterate, and while they could manage navigating to the TeamViewer website if I gave them the URL, they'd bury their heads in the sand if I asked them to try to open the client and click a button.

Re: Remotely updating a dynamic IP address on OpenDNS for web content filtering

mattwilson9090 — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 04:36:49 GMT

No, the updater client is intended to run automatically, in the background. As long as it's running it will update your account. There is even an option to "hide" it from view so that someone who thinks they are a computer "expert" can't turn it off because they don't want things they don't understand being in the system tray.

FWIW, TeamViewer basically works the same thing. It needs to be running (as installed software, not a website) in the background, in order for someone to connect to it remotely. Since your primary goal seems to be getting OpenDNS working on the network, and keeping it working, I'd go with the Updater Client for automatic address updates. If you also want TeamViewer for remote access you can do that as well.

Re: Remotely updating a dynamic IP address on OpenDNS for web content filtering

ofits — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 04:56:12 GMT

No, the updater client is intended to run automatically, in the background.

Oh, I had no idea. The OpenDNS Updater client has an "Update now" button in the bottom right of the GUI, so I assumed you had to click that. I didn't realize it updated autonomously. Well, that perfectly solves my problem! I appreciate all the help, mattwilson9090!

Re: Remotely updating a dynamic IP address on OpenDNS for web content filtering

mattwilson9090 — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 05:03:02 GMT

That's so that you can force an update for whatever reason. It's also for people who disable the automatic feature (there's a checkbox for that somewhere) and choose to do their updates manually. I've never done that, but I can think of scenarios where I'd want to for testing and development purposes.

Re: Remotely updating a dynamic IP address on OpenDNS for web content filtering

ofits — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 05:07:28 GMT

Oh, okay. That makes sense. Thanks again!