Static or dynamic IP address

[48Highlander]

We are a very small NFP. We have a donated copy of SBS 2008 and an adequate box to run it on. Our primary need is to have all files backed up and for users to be able to access their computers from their homes. Our website is hosted by an ISP. Internet access is from a cable provider. We cannot possibly afford to subscribe to internet access with a static IP address. Is there some way we can achieve what we need with a dynamic IP address?

Bill J

 

[ShackDaddy]

You can have a dynamic IP address. Open an account at DynDns.org or no-ip.com and you can have a web-URL to use. It should work fine as long as you don't mind getting a cert warning message when you initally log in to your server.

Also, SBS 2008 was built with dynamic DNS in mind, so there are actually tools in the OS that help your server keep its address updated with the dynamic DNS service.

Basically an agent runs on your server or on a workstation in your network, and it connects to DynDNS on a regular interval. When it connects, it says "Hey, it's me. And you can see I'm connecting from xx.xxx.xx.xxx address." Then the service adjusts the DNS record according to what your current address is. You'll notice that the IP actually rarely changes, but it's still good to have Dynamic DNS in place, so that you don't have an outage when it DOES change.

Dave Shackelford
ThirdTier.net

 

[gavm99]

Like ShackDaddy says, DynDNS is what we use for our customers who don't have a static IP and this is a top drawer service.

Gavin Moorhouse

http://www.lucidcomputersolutions.co.uk

Interested in my personal blog?

http://www.thelucidview.co.uk

 

[48Highlander]

Thanks guys for giving me some comfort that I am going the right way. I have that set up for my home network. What I don't understand then is what url people will enter. To get to our web site, they will still go to torontophil.on.ca What about a user who wants remote access? What url do they enter? Would it be: torontophil.dnsalias.com? Is there a way that they could enter remote.torontophil.on.ca?

Also can anyone recommend an inexpensive virus scanning option for the server / whole network? Spending $250 - $750 a year is not an option.

Bill J

 

[wahnula]

48Highlander,

You could do what I do and set up a separate domain just for your server, remote access and OWA. In my case I added a numeral (2) to the domain name, like torontophil2.on.ca, or another available domain name bought through GoDaddy for $10/year or less. Then arrange the MX & A records to point to the SBS box and the new domain. I use TZO for my dynamic DNS and the as the registrar of the "2" domain to keep billing simple.

Using the CPanel of the main domain, I have all email forwarded to the "2" domain. This has worked faultlessly for over three years so I am confident it's a feasible solution, it just sounds complicated (or my description does). The point is mail addresses will remain the same and be processed by Exchange, and all the other goodies like OWA and RWW will be handled by the new domain. Just be sure your server is set up to use the original domain for return address on all email.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[ShackDaddy]

Or just create a cname record for your domain like remote.torontocheesesteak.com and point it to the DynDNS URL like torontosteak.servebeer.com... Then "remote" always maps to the dynamic IP.

Dave Shackelford
ThirdTier.net