ALL ABOUT URL'S, OBTAINING FREE SUB DOMAINS, 
UNDERSTANDING DNS AND USING DNS UPDATE CLIENTS
OR TICKLERS.


Definitions:

URL: Universal Resource Locator; an english language 
(or verbose) address that represents an IP address 
located through a DNS inquiry.

DNS: Domain Name Servers; a system of special database 
servers across the Internet that accept URL's and 
return the IP's currently indexed to them.

FQDN: Fully Qualified Domain Name.  Any URL that can
be resolved through DNS to an IP number.

SUB DOMAIN: a URL or FQDN linked to, and administered 
by, a registered primary domain operator. Example: The
 Tzolkin Corp.  who supports ARC.TZO.COM

HOST NAME: What proceeds the domain server name (like ARC 
above).

DOMAIN SERVER NAME: What follows the Host name as in
TZO.COM above. Note the periods delimiting the parts.
Most free sub domain providers offer choices of domain 
server names.

DNS TICKLER: aKa a Client Updater. A tiny program, 
usually running in the background whenever the user is 
online. Ticklers monitor the users IP and report any 
IP changes to the DNS servers. You can avoid using a 
software DNS client updater if you are fortunate enough 
to own a Cisco LinkSys WRT54G Router. This router has a DDNS 
client updater built in. There may be others but this is the 
only one I am familiar with.

FREE SUB DOMAIN: A free Sub Domain address is a URL 
that resolves to your dynamic IP address. This starts 
out by a request from a client (like PopNote) to the 
DNS servers scattered across the Internet. Note: You 
are limited to whatever choice of URL names the free 
sub domain provider allows. This is opposed to 
purchasing your own domain name (assumming your domain 
name choice is available or not already taken).

HOW A URL WORKS: You type in a FQDN, as an example, 
"K5HUM.HOMEIP.NET", instead of a numeric IP. The client 
(like PopNote etc) recognizes it is a URL, then sends 
it out to be resolved. The DNS then checks to see what 
IP is currently indexed to that URL and returns that IP 
to your client which then uses the IP to make the 
connection. Many of these functions are done behind the 
scenes by the WinSock2 protocol built into Windows.

HOW TO OBTAIN YOUR FREE FQDN: First you must register 
with a FREE sub domain provider and activate your 
account. Next you must obtain a DNS client updater or 
tickler and run it on your computer. Some Ticklers are 
freeware like my own PopToy DNSUP.EXE  There are 
several free sub domain providers. They all operate 
similarly so that if you know one you can figure out 
whats needed by any of the others.  I will detail step 
by step whats needed by www.dyndns.com, one of the oldest 
and most popular.

Step One:
Logon to  DYNDNS.COM then click on "Create an Account".

You must decide on a user name and password to register 
and later to access and modify your account.  You must 
provide a valid e-mail address as DYNDNS will e-mail 
you a LINK (URL) to activate your account. Note: Your user 
name can be whatever you want and will not necessarily 
become the prefix or Host name to your sub domain address 
unless you later want it so.

Step Two:
Choose one of the many FREE DNS sub domain names from the 
following List. Others are available if you pay.

Most Hams choose HOMEIP.NET, however it is an open 
choice as long as it comes from the list of domain 
names they offer. After selecting your subdomain Host 
prefix (such as your ham radio call) you can activate 
it on the DYNDNS web site. You can later manually 
update your sub domain to your current IP through the
DYNDNS web site but its highly recommended that you 
obtain and use a DNS "update client" or tickler.  

Step Three:
The DYNDNS organization formerly offered links to 
several freeware "update client" or tickler. This is no 
longer the case. However, I recommend one called 
DeeEnEs-2.3.30.zip, if you can still find it out on the 
net. This download link for  DeeEnEs-2.3.30.zip 
was still valid at the time I wrote this tutorial. Aside from
my own DNSUP tickler, I recommend DeeEnEs (because of its 
tight elegant code). 

CAVEAT: The free Sun Domain providers are very touchy 
about abusing their systems with too many update calls. 
I strongly suggest limiting manual (forced) updates to 
no more than once every 10 minutes. Otherwise it is 
considered abuse and your account is subject to being 
removed! A good update client will only tickle their 
servers when it detects an IP change on your computer.


If you are still confused,  click here, and print out 
or read what you need and try again.

73,
Mike - K5HUM