Dyndns provides a free service that will allow for a user to connect to their home network via a hostname (web url), even if the IP address given by the ISP changes (called a dynamic IP address).

Instructions for creating a DynDNS account

1. Visit http://www.dyndns.com/
2. # Click on the ''Sign In'' button near the upper right corner, then click the link at the bottom ''Create an Account''.
3. # Enter the required information. Write down the user name and password for later use.
4. # Make sure you check all of the "I agree to ..." boxes (if desired avoid the mailing lists).
5. # Click "Create Account".
6. # Check your email and click the account confirmation link.

Instructions for creating a DynDNS hostname

1. Log in to your account.
2. Click the "My Account" on the vertical or horizontal menu. This is the default Account Screen for dyndns
3. Under Host Services, Click "Add Hostname"
4. Create a prefix name and choose a domain name. (dyndns-home.com, dyndns-at-home, dyndns.org, dyndnds-free.com homeip.net, etc.).
   For example, if you create the hostname cortexa_Test.dyndns-home.com (type cortexa_Test in the text box and select dyndns-home.com from the drop-down). When you would like to remotely access your home network and Cortexa, you will type cortexa_Test.dyndns-home.com in the address bar of your browser (additional network port configurations will be necessary). It is recommended that the hostname is something easy to remember.
   
5. Leave the '''Wildcard''' box unchecked.
6. For '''Service Typex''' choose ''Host with IP Address''
7. Click the "Your current location's IP Address is...." or enter your external IP address in the IP Address bar. *
8. Leave the '''Mail Routing Box''' unchecked.
9. There is no need to specify what the service is used for in the bottom section.
10. Click '''Add to Cart'''
11. If already logged into your account, Click '''Proceed to Checkout''', otherwise Login and then click '''Proceed to Checkout'''
12. Click '''Activate Services'''

* To confirm that the update to dyndns is correct, put an IP address not associated with your home in the IP box (192.168.255.255), then when you update the dyndns service, you can see the newly updated IP in the my hosts page ('''My Account''' > '''My Services''' > '''My Hosts''')

Performing Dyndns updates via Cortexa v5

Cortexa v5.0 has a Dyndns updater built in. To configure the updater, follow these steps:
1. Navigate to the g5 setup pages by clicking ''Cortexa 5 Configuration'' or by typing in the ip address of your Cortexa followed by g5 (''192.168.1.2/g5'')
2. Navigate to the Dyndns Untility by clicking '''Drivers''' in the first pane, then '''Dyndns Utility''' in the second pane.
3. Fill in the hostname (i.e. cortexa-test.dyndns-home.com), username and password for the dyndns account.
4. Once the account information is filled in, click the check box next to '''Enabled'''. Once enabled a Dyndns update will be performed and the Cortexa will be in sync with Dyndns.

The hostname will be updated according to the Dyndns api (once within 30 days unless the IP has changed). If for any reason the IP address is modified on the Dyndns account via a website, the Cortexa could get out of sync. Only allow the Cortexa Controller to perform the update to the Dyndns hostname.

Links to updating dyndns from previous Cortexa hardware or software versions

* For New Cortexa Hardware prior to v5.0 or for a 7202 set-up behind a Router, please see DDNS Updates
* For a Cortexa 7202 set-up as a Router, please see |DDNS with a Cortexa 7202