Using DynDNS to update Dynamic IP

[evyxmsj]

Hello,

Sorry I know this has sort of been covered, but I am just trying to get some clarity! I am considering switching from OpenDNS Family Shield to Home, for a bit more flexibility---but only if I can configure my router to deal with Dynamic IP.

I have a (very basic) D-Link DSL 3680 (which btw is sadly not compatible with DDWRT or Tomato as far as I can tell). 

It supports only DLinkDDNS and DynDNS, with the following input fields:

• Hostname
• Username
• Password

I have seen elsewhere (e.g. here or here) that there is a URL I may be able to use. Is that the same as the hostname above, or am I at a dead end with no router support for DNSomatic itself?

(I know there is Marc's Updater and Dynamic IP Updater, but at this point, I'm only interested in switching if I can get a router-based solution).

Thanks for your help!

[rotblitz]

You are at a dead end if the built-in DDNS update client of your router does not support at least one of OpenDNS, DNS-O-Matic or "custom / user defined" from the service provider list.

"a URL I may be able to use. Is that the same as the hostname"

No.  The update URL may contain the hostname, but the hostname (network label in case of OpenDNS) is not an update URL.

[evyxmsj]

Thanks for that rotblitz, I kinda figured but wanted to double check. I might look into getting another router.

***

Slightly off topic as an aside: I'm ok with the updaters I mentioned in principle, but we just have too many devices in our home (Windows pcs, iphones, android) to make it tightly secure for my family. I also have a tech savvy family who could

(a) just uninstall the updaters and restart the router, as our IP seems to change strangely frequently.

(b) access blacklisted content in the first 5 min or so before the Dynamic IP Updater transmits after a pc restart and it makes it's way through the systems.

I thought about different privileges for different users on point (a) above, but it seemed to get to difficult for me to sort out!

[edited for clarity]

[rotblitz]

Your comment shouts for clarifications. ;-)

"we just have too many devices in our home (Windows pcs, iphones, android)"

Please note, you do not have to run an Updater on every device.  Just one Updater in your network is fully sufficient, given that it really runs, i.e. the device where it is on is switched on and the Updater running.

"(a) just uninstall the updaters and restart the router"

If an Updater is not installed on their devices, but e.g. on yours, then they cannot uninstall it.
You can lock the router away in a kind of cupboard with enough air circulation.  If they still restart your router, then you should reorganize your control over your house mates, because you lost it.

"(b) access blacklisted content in the first 5 min or so before the Dynamic IP Updater transmits after a pc restart and it makes it's way through the systems."

This is quite unlikely for different reasons I don't want to dive deeper in here.  If the Updater is correctly operating, i.e. is always monitoring for IP address changes, not just when its device starts, then it does not take 5 minutes anyway.  I use my router's built-in DDNS update client, and the delay is at best seconds only, i.e. nearly real-time updates.

"I thought about different privileges for different users on point (a) above, but it seemed to get to difficult for me to sort out!"

Privileges to do what?  Start with supplying regular user accounts only, not admin accounts.