• URL for sending dynamic IP updates to OpenDNS
• Dynamic IP updates and security (SSL)
• Multiple dynamic IP networks allowed in a single OpenDNS account
• Dynamic IP address update frequency
• Error: dynamic IP update failed with message !yours
• Possible OpenDNS responses to the dynamic IP update API
• How to enable dynamic IP updates for a network

The URL for dynamic IP updates sent to OpenDNS is:

   https://updates.opendns.com/nic/update?

(The ? at the end of the URL is intentional, for passing parameters.)

Alternatively, we suggest you use DNS-O-Matic, a new, free service from OpenDNS. DNS-O-Matic gives you an easy way to distribute your dynamic IP changes to multiple services with a single update. Keep dynamic DNS hostnames and OpenDNS updated at the same time.

Updated: December 2, 2007

OpenDNS only accept dynamic IP updates securely, via HTTPS. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protects your information.

Updated: December 2, 2007

Multiple dynamic IP networks are allowed in a single OpenDNS account.

When you have more than one dynamic IP network in your account, you must send the OpenDNS network label in the hostname parameter.

Make sure you have a label for each OpenDNS network in your account.

We suggest you use DNS-O-Matic, a new, free service from OpenDNS. DNS-O-Matic gives you an easy way to distribute your dynamic IP changes to multiple services with a single update. Keep dynamic DNS hostnames and OpenDNS updated at the same time.

Updated: December 2, 2007 

OpenDNS recommends that you use our client-side software to keep your dynamic IP updated for your network. The OpenDNS Updater will run in your system tray and send updates to your account whenever your IP address changes. This will help ensure that your system preferences are applied to your network at all times. Simply download the software, enter your OpenDNS username, password and network label in the required fields, and the OpenDNS Updater will do the rest.

Windows: Download Windows Client

Mac : Download Mac Client

 Your dynamic IP update client should handle updates automatically, monitoring your connection and updating if/when necessary.

Alternatively, follow instructions for manually updating your dynamic IP address network.

If your preferences are not being followed and you are still using OpenDNS (confirm), then check to see if your IP address matches your OpenDNS network.

Updated: May 5, 2008

If you make an update via your client and receive the message !yours there are two possibilities:

1. Someone else is using that single IP address (a /32 in CIDR notation) in their OpenDNS account, perhaps because they did not properly enable dynamic IP updating in their account. Please provide details.
2. You've requested an IP address which is part of a larger netblock managed by another OpenDNS customer. The other customer limits management of individual addresses within their larger netblock.

In either case, your update will not register successfully with OpenDNS, and your OpenDNS preferences will not be in effect, although you will still enjoy speedy, reliable DNS.

July 21, 2007 

OpenDNS uses the DNS Update API from DynDNS, so all clients which support that API fully and work over SSL will work with OpenDNS accounts. OpenDNS uses the normal result codes, but a few of the responses mean slightly different things to OpenDNS, without breaking the API. Those few are documented below, for those interested.

You do not need to pay attention to these codes unless you are writing your own client and curious about specific OpenDNS interpretations. (We encourage developers to support OpenDNS as a service, and are happy to help.)

• badauth means that your credentials (OpenDNS username and/or password) are missing or invalid.
• nohost means the OpenDNS member has no network set to accept DDNS updates. (By spec, this response means that the DDNS hostname you are trying to update does not exist.)
• nochg means the update process succeeded, but IP was identical to previous update, so no change required.
• good means the update process was successful, and your network preferences are applied.
• !yours means the IP address provided is part of a larger netblock managed by another OpenDNS customer or the IP address is being used by someone else. Details... (By spec, this response means the hostname specified exists, but not under the username specified.)
• abuse means OpenDNS received more than one update per minute.

Dynamic IPs are common, and OpenDNS supports dynamic IP addresses for networks. 

To enable dynamic IP update, sign into your OpenDNS Dashboard, go to Settings and Set Up a Dynamic IP. Check the box and Apply.

After you've enabled dynamic IP updates for your OpenDNS network, you can choose to handle your changing IP in one of two ways--automatically, through a dynamic IP client, or manually through our Manual IP update button.

If you've enabled dynamic IP updating but not installed a dynamic IP client, you'll notice when your IP requires updating in your OpenDNS Dashboard Networks page.  A Manual IP update button (green arrows icon) will appear between two IPs, your previous IP and your current IP. To update your IP, click on the Manual IP Update button.  All of your network preferences, as well as associated shortcuts, domain blocks and adult web site filtering settings, will be applied to the new IP.  Please wait 5-10 minutes for the network settings to propagate to our servers.

OpenDNS recommends that you use our client-side software to keep your dynamic IP updated for your network. The OpenDNS Updater will run in your system tray and send updates to your account whenever your IP address changes. This will help ensure that your system preferences are applied to your network at all times. Simply download the software, enter your OpenDNS username, password and network label in the required fields, and the OpenDNS Updater will do the rest.

Windows: Download Windows Client

Mac : Download Mac Client