Topic: Dynamic IPs

[Quade]

My ISP recently switched networks and no longer offer static IPs. In fact, the IP assigned by their DHCP cannot be accesed from the rest of the Internet, presumably to keep from having to purchase huge blocks of "real" IPs.

For instance, my IP could be 66.77.88.99 (according to the e-smith server "review configuration"), but if I visit tracert.com or another site that will report my IP back to me, it appears as if I am coming from 66.77.88.217.

I've been using the e-smith server for years to host my personal site, and have always had a static IP. I know that it offers use of dynamic DNS clients, but will any of these break through my ISPs blockade of incoming connections? I have not yet tried changing ports, as I'm not even sure if that would have any impact.

This seems to be becoming a common problem with cable and DSL users that the ISP uses network address translation. Does anyone know how to get beyond this issue? I want to continue hosting my own site and e-mail, and this is what has made me love e-smith so much.

[Alexander Ziemann]

I did not get your problem:

Is your ISP blocking incoming traffic to your IP? Then you must change your ISP. You can check that by configuring your server with dyndns.org dynamic ip-service and then try to reach your server from outside world. The dyndns service is very easy to configure.

If your ISP just switched to dynamic ip via dhcp, it is the same: Assign to dyndns.org or another service of this kind and there you are.

Most ISP-contracts give you the right to demand static ip, because you normally pay for it extra!

hth, Alex

[Quade]

Unfortunately, my ISP claims they will never offer static IPs. I have looked into other broadband ISPs in my city, and none offer static IPs to residential users.

I've tried using dynamic-DNS solutions, such as no-ip.com, dyndns.org and easydns.com, but have had no luck so far. The IP address is updated with what my server believes to be the correct IP, but since it is unresolvable, no one is able to get to my server.

I'm slowly beginning to think that a commercial host (*shudder*) is in my future.

thanks,
--quade

[Quade]

Strangely enough, after several harassing calls on my part, my ISP now offers routable IPs again.
It's not static, but it's got a long lease on the IP, so I'm happy enough.