What is Dynamic Dns (or DDNS)?

Dynamic DNS is a way to keep in sync a domain name (like www.yourdomain.com) with a (changing) IP address.
More details here. 

What is DirectUpdate (DU)?

DirectUpdate is an application that runs transparently in background (as a service, even when no user is logged), and check the IP address assigned to the machine.
Everytime a new IP address is detected, DirectUpdate engine updates your domain name, so it's always up to date.
DirectUpdate is called a dynamic dns client updater, or "client updater". 

What can it do for me?

DirectUpdate helps you access your laptop/machine/server remotely, even when it's not connected to the internet with a static IP address. 

Why choose DirectUpdate?

I initially designed and worked on DirectUpdate, because I needed a client updater able to run automatically and transparently in background, even when no user is logged.
After 12 years, DirectUpdate is still one of the most widely used client updater. I continue to actively maintain and improve it.
Compared to other clients/competitors, DirectUpdate has many advantages:

• If you use the "official" client provided by some ddns providers, you can only update domain from that provider.
  By using DirectUpdate, you can update simultanesouly domain names from different ddns providers!
• Using your router embeded client is not recommended by ddns providers, because "software clients tend to be more reliable than many of the update clients used in routers." (dyn.com)
• DirectUpdate is widely used in production environments, all around the world. It's regularly awarded by major web sites.
• And it's the only ddns client updater having received the "Certified for Windows" logo.

I just Downloaded DirectUpdate, what do I do now?

Install it, the right version (32 or 64bits) will be automatically installed, according to your OS version.
Then run the Administration module to configure the engine.
You need at least one "IP detection". The one automatically created should just work with default settings.
Then, add as many "DNS account" as you need, fill each one with the minimum required details:

• Account type (ie, your ddns provider)
• Credentials (usually login and password from your ddns provider)
• Domain name (also called "host") to update, most of the time, your ddns proivder expects the fully qualified domain name (or "FQDN"), like www.mydomain.com.

Unless you know what you are doing, you can leave all the other fields blank.
Then, validate each "DNS account" by unchecking the "Disable/ignore this acccount" box at the top of the page. 

Why should I register and pay to use DirectUpdate?

First, remember that you can test/evaluate DirectUpdate freely during 60 days.
But DirectUpdate is NOT a freeware, so once you're happy with evaluation, you need to register to get a license and continue using it.

Having to register (and pay for a license) is the main reason why DirectUpdate is still updated and maintained after 12 years! 

What are the differences between the "standard" and the "professional" version?

It's the same code. So, there is only one version to download.
The difference is made according to the serial number used.
You need a "Professional" license if:

• You use DirectUpdate for business or in a professional environment.
• You need a "professional only" feature:
  • NTLM/Kerberos http authentication.
  • NTLM/Kerberos proxy authentication.
  • Syslog daemon usage. 

I registered, but my serial number is invalid?

This is surely because you use DirectUpdate on a 64bits Operating System. For technical reasons, serial numbers starting by "A0DUSN" or "STDDUSN" are not recognized by the 64 bits version of Directupdate.
In that case, simply drop me an email (with your name and serial), and I will generate a new serial for you.

 end faq