What is DirectUpdate (DU) ?
DU is a dynamic dns client updater. It runs transparently on your computer,
it periodically checks your IP address, and when a new one is detected,
it updates your domain(s) name(s).
The software is made of 3 parts:
The engine (i.e. the service), doing the job transparently in
the background.
The admin module : used to configure the engine (it's the UserInterface).
The control (the small icon in the tray, close to the clock) :
a tool used to start/stop the engine.
What
is Dynamic Dns ?
Dynamic Dns is a way to have your own domain name (like yourdomainname.com)
pointing to your own IP address, even if your IP is dynamically assigned
by your ISP. It means you can host your own web/ftp server at home (or
any servers you like) and everyone can access it using "yourdomainname.com"
!
What
can it do for me ? DU will help you maintain your domain name up to date with your
dynamic IP address. It means you can have your own domain name always
pointing to your computer IP address. Now, you are able to host your
own web server, ftp server, Game server...
I
setup a password in DU, but can't remember it... To setup
a password, it's always a good idea ! But of course you have to remember
it :). So, if you forgot it, here is what you have to do:
Stop the engine (ie the service)
Launch regedit to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Fraggers.net\DirectUpdate\Service
(v3.x)
Or to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Fraggers.net\DirectUpdate\Engine
(v4.x)
Delete the "Password" value
Restart the engine
You now have a default blank password !
What
is the difference between the shareware version and the registered version
? There
is absolutely no differences. And there is only one version. The shareware/unregistered version has a built-in 60 days limitation. By registering,
you will simply get rid of this limitation.
Will
I get all the new versions to come of DirectUpdate with my registration
number ? With
your DU registration, you'll have access to all 4.x versions.
Can
I modify the e-mail notifications sent by DirectUpdate ? Sure,
the emails sent are stored locally in the DU install folder. They are
text file named "emxxx.txt". You can edit them the way you
want (see emSample.txt for the allowed fields)
I
just Downloaded DirectUpdate, what do I do now ? Install
it. If an older version is already installed, uninstall is not recommended.
Indeed, simply stop the engine (and the icon tray) and launch the new
installer. You will keep all your settings (and reboot won't be necessary).
If it's a fresh new install, then the installer should start the engine
automatically. Then, launch the admin and connect to the engine (enter
"127.0.0.1" or "localhost" in the "Connect
to engine" field).
Once the engine and the admin are connected
together, go to the "Status" page and click "Create...",
select your dynamic dns provider and fill in your info.
That's it !
I
do not have a credit card (or don't want to use it over the Internet),
can I register ? Sure,
you can:
Send me 25€ or 50€ (bills only, depending on the license
you want) by postal mail.
Contact me to get my home address :)
I
want to give more money, can I ? DU
standard registration is $25 ($49 for the "pro" license),
for one machine running the engine. But you can give me all your money,
no problem :)
I
lost my registration information. What can I do ?
Contact me by email, I will try to find your registration information.
Is
DU still working when I close the main window ? Sure,
the window you see is only the admin module. You can safely close it,
the engine will still be running in background.
I
created an account at dyndns.org, and DU gives me error 15104, why ??? Dyndns.org
provides many (3) different service types. If you own a "real"
domain (like mydomain.com), then create an account of type "MyDyndns
Custom", for a dyndns subdomain (like "myname.dyndns.org"),
create an account of type "dyndns.org dynamic".
Is
DU able to grab my IP address from my LAN router ? Sure.
Behind a router (or even behind a DSL modem), DU will (by default) use
remote web servers for IP detection. But for bandwidth issues, grabbing
the IP from your router is a better solution. To do so, your router
must be able to display the WAN ip in an html page.
Click "Edit IP detection" dialog box, and use the 1st entry
!
Periodically,
from time to time, DU detects a wrong IP address, how can I fix this
? Many different
web servers are used for IP detection. Also some of them are returning
a wrong IP ! Check in the log file (DULog.txt) the one to disable. Then,
disabled them in the "Edit IP detection settings" dialog box.
Maybe, a wrong Ip can be detected when a VPN connection is ON. (DU can
detect the VPN IP instead of your real WAN ip). To ignore some IP, go
to the "Edit IP detection settings" dialog box, and enter
the IP(s) to ignore. Example, to ignore "212.11.x.x" enter
"212.11.0.0" and to ignore "25.x.x.x" enter "25.0.0.0"...
I
own/use a dynamic dns service not listed by DU, what should I do ? Feel
free to contact me, I
will contact the service team and see with them how to support their
service in DU.
Are
there any translated versions of DU ? Sure.
You can download the full, multi-language version, or a "lighter"
english only version. All available translations can be downloaded
individually...
What
do I get when I register ? (a CD ? a box ?) By
registering, you will get a serial number, but no extra-feature ! There
is no retail version (CD or box) of DU.
I
have a question not listed in this FAQ, what should I do ? Please,
do not hesitate to contact me directly by e-mail
I will try to answer your question and maybe will update this FAQ !
Is
the source code available ? No.
Remember DU is shareware. It's not a freeware and even less so an open
source project. Sorry :(
I
found a bug, what should I do ? Contact
me by e-mail and try to describe
exactly what happened (DU version used, OS, dynamic dns provider,...)
Can
I check on DU from another computer than the one it is installed on
? Sure,
it has been designed for it! Launch the admin, and in the 1st page "Engine
connection", enter the IP (or domain name) of the machine running
the engine !
Can
you help me choose a dynamic dns provider ? Sorry,
but no. Simply because I have no time to test them all !!!
A
missing feature would be great for me, what should I do ? Contact
me by e-mail, and explain
what you'd like to see in DU.
If I think this feature would be useful, I will think about it !
Why
should I choose DU ? Why not ? Remember you can test/evaluate it for free during 60days!
Main features are
Native NT/2000/XP service.
Remote administration.
Flexible IP detection algorithm.
E-mail notification, FTP upload.
SSL/HTTPS support with service(s) supporting it.
What about SSL/HTTPS ? How to use it ? SSL (and HTTPS) is available since version 3.5.8. This option is
available only if the ddns service support it.
Edit your account properties, go to the "Advanced settings"
page and check "Perform update using secure protocol"
What are the differences between the "standard"
and the "professional" version ? It's the same code. So, there is only one version to download. Then,
the difference is made according to the serial number used.
You need a "Professional" license when:
You use DirectUpdate for business and/or in a professional environment.
You want to run DirectUpdate on a "server" OS (like
NT4server, 2000server or 2003server, SBS, ISA...).
You need a "professional only" feature:
NTLM/Kerberos http authentication.
NTLM/Kerberos proxy authentication.
Syslog daemon usage.
My serial number is not valid for the x64 version.
Due to some library compatibility, serial numbers generated by eSellerate are not accepted by the x64 version. If you have such a serial (beginning with "A0DUSN" or "STDDUSN"), contact me by email and I'll convert it to a valid one.
