IP address changed by ISP. Can Server files be changed by us

[rogerfixit]

Occasionally, my external IP gets changed and all of the Server files no longer work for my clients.
Is there any way the Server file can point to the new IP address without having to upload a new file to the user?

[YY]

You can use the Dynamic DNS service. Reference the thread [post=49642]SC - Helpdesk.txt and Dynamic DNS[/post], applicable to PchelpWare as well.

[rogerfixit]

Was able to make a direct connection with Dynalias.
Was unable to get either DynDns or No-IP to work right.
Will dynalias do what I need??
Thanx so much

[YY]

The Dynalias is a service running on a repeater, and by design it helps the server to get the (dynamic) IP of the viewer and thus make a direct connection. So in theory, it can exactly solve your problem. However, many users reported this function is buggy, and even the Online Document suggested not using it.

On the other hand, using the DynDns or No-IP is the popular method to solve the IP change problem. I had use the DynDns service for one & half year, and so far so good. The only requirement (other than open an A/C at DynDNS.org) is you should have an IP update tool running on your viewer computer (or on the router). Do you miss to do so?

[rogerfixit]

I did open A/C's at both DynDns and No-Ip (both free) but could not connect. to 'create server', I entered an Alias and password, a Repeater ID. In Repeater settings, Host Repeater was '[my A/C name].dyndns.org' with Listen port viewer - 5900 and Listen port server - 5500.
Don't know what I am doing wrong and also, do not know how do set up IP updater.
For DynAlias, using 'repeater01.ultrvnc.info' and it is working.

[YY]

Don't know what I am doing wrong

Before trying to fix your problem, it s/b make it clear what you want to achieve:
- Connection Type (Direct, or Direct using DynAlias, or via Repeater)
- If using repeater, are you trying to use your own one, or to use the public repeater?
- If you can show the content of the Helpdesk.txt of your server.exe, it will be much easy for me to understand your problem (you can use the fake IP/Password)

do not know how do set up IP updater

It is a tool to update the Dynamic DNS record when your IP changes. Both DynNDS & No-IP offer such tool to their clients (see DynDNS Update Clients and Dynamic Update Client)

For DynAlias, using 'repeater01.ultrvnc.info' and it is working.

Glad to hear the DynAlias works fine on this server. If it is stable you can keep on using it. It achieves a direct connection for the server & viewer (better than via a repeater), and takes care the IP change (viewer side) problem too.

[rogerfixit]

Prefer direct connection; repeater connection works but is slower.
Helpfile.txt is (xx'ed out some):
-connect rogerfixit.dyndns.org:5500 -id 9xx3 -passwd A181A603769C1F98AD927E7367Cxxxxx

Found out my DLink router offers a free Host in conjunction with DynDns and I think the router offers auto updating. NOt able to get it set up yet but sent a support request.

Used Dynalias today and worked well. Still will get the Dyndns set up in case the Dynalias gets buggy but that would be a repeater connection.

The Helpfile.txt happened to have the Dyndns info. Is it refreshed with the last server set up? And do I need to keep the cache files?

[YY]

If you want to create a server.exe using direct connection, you should change the statement as:
-connect rogerfixit.dyndns.org:5500 -passwd A181A603769C1F98AD927E7367Cxxxxx

If there is the "-id", the server will suppose the host to be connected is a repeater.
First of all, create a new server with the above change.

After you have the new server.exe, here are what you should do at viewer end in order to pick up the connection.
1. The rogerfixit.dyndns.org s/b pointing to you WAN IP of the viewer pc (i.e. the public IP of your DLink router). This means you should be a proper setting of DLink router (in conjunction with DynDns), or having the DynDNS Update Clients tool running on the viewer pc.
2. At the DLink router you should have the 5500 port forwarded to your viewer pc. (I suppose this has been done, as you can use Dynalias successfully)
3. You need to run the viewer with the setting as below show:

The Helpfile.txt happened to have the Dyndns info.

That's right. The Helpdesk.txt is a record kept inside the server.exe you created. When the server.exe is running, it will contact the DynDNS.org and obtain your recent IP (so that is why you must have the IP Update Tool running in your viewer pc or on the router), then it can use that IP to make the connection to your viewer pc.

Is it refreshed with the last server set up? And do I need to keep the cache files?

No need. Once the server.exe is created, a copy of the helpdesk.txt is saved inside it, the original helpdesk.txt plays nothing during the real connection.