Go here if you want my library of files and past insights!

Okay folks - These past couple weeks I have tried to setup a server that will automatically reconnect to the internet upon disconnecting, and if somehow the power goes out and it forces the computer to reboot, it will automatically re-dial and update the dynamic IP address (I will explain this shortly).

First off - you need to have wvdial or if you want the newest version go here. Once you rpm -i wvdial... then you need to configure it. I had the graphical KDE version and it worked like a charm. I really recommend it. Basically if you are using the non-graphical, you need to edit /etc/wvdial.conf and fill in the appropriate fields, then dial out.

Okay, now let's get talking about what Dynamic DNS is all about. Dyndns.org describes this as: The Dynamic DNS service allows you to alias a dynamic IP address to a static hostname, allowing your computer to be more easily accessed from various locations on the Internet. We provide this service for free to the Internet community as a whole. With that said - It basically allows you to, from anywhere in the world, telnet to (your choice of) an address that is easy to remember, that will connect you to your home computer. First, go to dyndns.org and create an account. On their home page (if they haven't changed it around) it is the link here. Once you have an account established, you need to download this important client or visit their website for the latest version.

gunzip the file. then tar -xvf the file. Switch into the directory it installed into, and simply type ./install. It will ask you a series of simple questions. After that is done, it will ask you if you want to create a configuration file. Type yes here! Okay, here's what you want to type: when it asks for username, it is asking for the username that you signed up dyndns.org with! enter it in, and hit enter. It will then ask for your password. That is the password for your dyndns.org account! enter your password, hit enter, and you're done! I recommend copying ddup to /usr/bin so that you can access it from anywhere by typing ddup.

Now then, if you want all this to happen at boot time, then simply pico /etc/rc.d/rc.local (if you are running redhat.. if not, find your rc.local file..) and add two lines. ifup ppp0 which will dial (using wvdial, hopefully!) your ISP. Then add a line ddup following the first line. After it connections and establishes a connection, ddup will automatically update your (dynamic) IP address!

Since my family won't let me run ethernet cable through my house to all the computers, I can't take advantage of this right now, although I'm tempted to :). However, if you want to try sometime - mine is kdavis.dyndns.org.

I recently started on my security page which you can find at the beginning of my website. I will be covering in greater detail port scanning and how to protect against it next section!

Update: I have ran ethernet cabling throughout my house, and I have finally have begged someone to write a script that will keep your connection alive even if it hangs up! Here is the script. (You need to make sure the 'system' part is all in one line and you probably want to chmod +x it, copy it to /usr/bin, and add it to your rc.local file)

EMAIL ME! if you have any questions...

Modified 10-21-2000 5:30 A.M.

-Kyle