Smart DNS

[Pearsonb]

I have been using the Smart DNS service from Streamvia for some time with success. However, a couple of other installations I have set up for friends and family have not been quite as successful. They require a fresh log in every couple of days whereas I never need to do that.

I reckon this is because I am with SFR and keep the same IP address on their system whereas the others are with Orange and their IP addresses keep changing.

Could one of the great geeks here tell me if that seems logical? If so, would a change of Smart DNS provider cure the problem?

Thanks.

Pearson

[martyn94]

It does seem logical, and no I cannot see how changing provider could abolish the problem: they will always want to check that people using their service have paid to do so. It is not an issue for me, but my own provider has useful advice on how to automate IP address updates or at least make them easier - here http://help.unotelly.com/support/soluti ... p-address-

[Allan]

If you switch to a Smart DNS that will work with a hostname then your router can do the work for you.

Many routers have the facility to link to a Dynamic DNS service. Orange LiveBoxes have this facility as standard.

Dynamic DNS is a third party service that allocates a unique host name to your router.

When your iP address changes, your router notifies the Dynamic DNS service. But your unique host name doesn't change

Overplay which is a popular Smart DNS will operate with a host name so you simply use the unique name from your DNS.

http://www.eyeondemand.com/2013/04/05/h ... smart-dns/

[neil mitchell]

Hi Allan.

That's useful in formation, thank you. I have SmartDNS from Overplay and it works very well for all of the UK TV sites.

However I have only tried it once, on one day when I was down in Nov so if my ISP uses DynamicDNS then I guess I could have a problem and have to use a work around.

Do you know if SFR uses Static or Dynamic.

[Allan]

Hi Allan.

That's useful in formation, thank you. I have SmartDNS from Overplay and it works very well for all of the UK TV sites.

However I have only tried it once, on one day when I was down in Nov so if my ISP uses DynamicDNS then I guess I could have a problem and have to use a work around.

Do you know if SFR uses Static or Dynamic.

Pretty well all ISPs use Dynamic addresses for consumer connections, it's more a case of how often they change. PearsonB says he is on SFR and he seems to keep the same address.

If your line is unstable or your router is powered off then your ip address will almost certainly change.

The SFR Neufbox supports Dynamic DNS

https://assistance.sfr.fr/internet_box- ... 3296-60764

Their example however points to a service called DynDns - as far as I know, they have stopped their free service but I could be wrong.

An alternative is noip.com http://freedns.no-ip.com/?d=www.no-ip.c ... 50LnBocA==

As a user of SFR, turn on the FON functionality if it isn't on already, it costs you nothing and makes you part of a community with free wifi access all over the UK and mainland Europe.
http://assistance.sfr.fr/internet_box-n ... 2405-50213

https://corp.fon.com/en

[neil mitchell]

Thanks Allan. I'm down again soon and I've bookmarked those links in case I need them. Much appreciated.

[russell]

I reckon this is because I am with SFR and keep the same IP address on their system whereas the others are with Orange and their IP addresses keep changing.

With SFR you do keep the same IP address unless the power to the router goes off. Then you will be given a different address. If, for any reason you want to change your IP address, just unplug from the power adaptor, wait a few seconds and plug it in again.

Russell.

P.S. You beat me to it Alan. Yes DynDNS have stopped their free service. I was using it so that I could access my webcab remotely for security until they stopped the service.

Russell.

[Santiago]

Slightly related but does anyone know if PlayTV is a useful thing to have here? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayTV

[Allan]

Slightly related but does anyone know if PlayTV is a useful thing to have here? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayTV

No its not, It works with UK Freeview, not satellite or IPTV