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Networks with Dynamic IP Addresses

The majority of home, small school, and small business networks typically are provisioned by ISPs that issue a dynamic IP address when defining each unique Internet network. Dynamic IP addresses change over time due to a variety of factors primarily centered around the ease of network administration for the ISPs.

However, dynamic IP addresses present a hurdle when using the advanced features of OpenDNS such as Internet safety and security. OpenDNS Web content filtering and security settings will not apply when a network's IP address no longer coincides with the IP address in an OpenDNS account.

To prevent lapses in OpenDNS advanced features, you must enable OpenDNS to receive notification of an IP address change when one occurs. Doing so allows our systems to maintain your previously defined filtering and security settings for your network with the new IP address.

Unless you are certain that your network has been assigned a static IP address, you should perform the following steps to properly configure OpenDNS for your dynamic IP network.

1. OpenDNS Administrators (you) must enable dynamic IP updates for the network registered in an OpenDNS account, regardless of whether using a Dynamic DNS client or managing the network manually.

   Log into the OpenDNS Dashboard and select the network on the Home or Settings tab. Choose Advanced Settings, navigate to the Dynamic IP Update section, select Enable... and Apply your setting.

2. For ease and greatest consistency, download an OpenDNS Dynamic IP Updater onto at least one computer in the network, according to these guidelines:

   • The computer should be stationary to the network (only used in the network on which you are configuring OpenDNS).
   • The computer should always be ON, or turned on before any other computers log on to the network.
   • The computer should not be accessible by children or young adults who may be savvy enough to turn off the updater client.

   The OpenDNS Dynamic IP Updater automates the discovery and registration of a network's IP address to your OpenDNS account whenever the IP address should change. Benefit: consistent protection provided by your OpenDNS settings to your network and to all computers and devices that connect to your network.

   Note: Most Dynamic DNS (DDNS) clients will work, but cannot be supported by OpenDNS customer service. If you are developing your own Dynamic DNS client, follow this link for related information.

3. OpenDNS Administrators can also manage dynamic IP addresses manually, but there may be lapses in OpenDNS protection should you not apply the IP address update immediately after it changes.

   Log in to the OpenDNS Dashboard and go to the Settings tab. If OpenDNS has detected a new IP address for the network, an icon displaying green arrows will be visible next to your network's IP address. Another IP address will be displayed underneath the original. If this second IP address is now being used by this network, click the icon to complete the IP address update to OpenDNS.