Computers on the Internet are known by numbers. For example if you type the following number into the address bar of your browser--199.175.106.11 (no "www" or "http" is necessary)--you'll get the Islandnet.com website. In fact, numbers, not domain names (i.e. "islandnet.com"), are the primary means by which Internet sites are known. 199.175.106.11 is an IP (Internet Protocol) address.

While computers on the Internet may be known by their IP address, of course, you'll notice if you type the following, the Islandnet.com site will appear in your browser--"www.islandnet.com."

If numbers are the primary means by which computers know Internet sites, how does your browser know that both 199.175.106.11 and "www.islandnet.com" mean the same thing? The answer is "Domain Name Servers."

A Domain Name Server is an Internet computer that "knows" what domain or domains are associated with specific numbered addresses. A Domain Name Server "knows" that 199.175.106.11 is the Islandnet site. More specifically, a Domain Name Server "knows" that the domain name "islandnet.com" is associated with the computer with the address 199.175.106.11. Hence, Domain Name Servers provide a Domain Name Service.

There can be many domain names associated with one computer. For example, many domain names hosted by Islandnet.com may point to one computer--a local Domain Name Server. That particular domain name server "knows" which accounts on Islandnet.com have domains associated with them. When a web browser comes looking for a particular domain, the Domain Name Server "points" the web browser to the appropriate customer's account.

A static IP address is, as you may have guessed, an IP address that remains static--i.e. it doesn't change.

Why would I need a static IP address?

You might need a static IP address if you operate a computer that others on the Internet need to access. For example, if you have large files on your office computer you want to share with the public or with a group of colleagues, you might want a static IP so that they can always find your computer.

Computers connected to a cable or xDSL connection have dynamic IP address--meaning they change from time to time. As a result, users may not know where to find the computer where you store files for them.

However, new technology--DDNS--has made the need for static IP's almost obsolete. Despite the fact your computer may be assigned a dynamic IP address, people will always be able to access your computer if you use DDNS.

Does a static IP address ever change?

Contrary to what you might think, yes. For example, although you may pay for a static IP address, your cable company may still change your IP address from time to time. In fact, your "static" IP address may change as often as every month.

The fact that "static" IP addresses change from time to time makes DDNS all-the-more attractive.

A dynamic IP address is an IP address that changes from time to time. If you subscribe to Islandnet.com, Shaw, or Telus high speed Internet access, you are assigned a dynamic IP address.

Why do I need an IP address at all?

Without an IP address, you could not surf the Internet, send or receive e-mail, or download files. An IP address allows other computers to know where your computer is on the Internet so that Web servers, e-mail servers, and other computers can retrieve and send you the information you request (i.e. Web pages and other files). Without an IP address, other computers on the Internet would not know where to send information you request.

Dynamic DNS or DDNS stands for Dynamic Domain Name Service. If you are unfamiliar with the acronym "DNS" you may want to read the "What is an IP address?" and "What is DNS?" sections above.

DDNS is a service that "translates" dynamic IP addresses to domain names or host names. For example, if you have a domain name "mydomain.com" hosted on Islandnet.com and you have an office computer that you want users to access, you could assign the host name "office.mydomain.com" to your office computer.

Despite the fact that your office comupter has a dynamic IP address assigned to it, anyone who wants to access files on the office computer can use "office.mydomain.com" to access it. Whether the IP address changes or not, people will always be able to access the office computer using "office.mydomain.com."

Of course, what kind of access you want people to have to your office computer would have to be configured on your office computer. DDNS simply "points" people to your computer. It does not control how resources are accessed on your computer.

Do I need special software or hardware to use DDNS?

There are three ways you can use DDNS:

1. You can use a firewall / router that supports DDNS.
2. Users can connect to a Webpage to update their DDNS hosts manually.
3. Users can run an executable on their computers that will update their DDNS hosts.