I think I have found the answer. It looks to me like a router which has dnsmasq functionality is exactly what I am looking for. It would have been nice to find a no cost solution, but I think this is the right answer. Looks like it meets all the criteria and beyond the initial setup seems to be mostly maintenance free. For those that have a single machine sharing its network connection with the rest of the LAN, they can do this totally with dnsmasq software. On 12/19/06, Dazed_75 wrote: > > > > On 12/19/06, JT Moree wrote: > > > > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- > > Hash: SHA1 > > > > Dazed_75 wrote: > > > Please do not tell me about routers which support DDNS which is > > > something else entirely. At least my understanding is that DDNS is > > > solely for making my LAN resident servers available on the internet > > > despite have only dynamic IP[s] issued by my ISP. > > > > You are half right. Dynamic DNS is used for updating a DNS server to > > have the correct IP for a specific host. This can be done by sites like > > > > dyndns.org etc. You don't need a router that supports that. > > > Exactly why I said not to mention it. Perhaps I said it poorly. Basicly > I don't really care about a router that supports DDNS (in fact, mine does). > > But you DO need DDNS on a local level. It's the same thing. client > > machine tells dns server 'this is my new ip'. > > > Unfortunately that assumes a running DNS server on the LAN unless the > router were to have the functionality I described. People have told me it > exists but I have not found one. I have to admit I do not know if the WRT54 > type software for the Linksys xxxxGL modem would have it. Their docs > confused me. > > Unfortunately I can't give you particular software suggestions but I had > > my guys do it with thin clients over 5 years ago. I think we had the > > thin clients run a script after getting an IP that talked to a daemon on > > the DNS server to update the records. > > > > Our solution was home grown but I've seen the same thing mentioned with > > the moniker DDNS on the net more recently. There may be some DDNS > > features in the major DNS servers in use like bind, djbdns, etc. > > > Unfortunately they violate the criteria of no guarantee that any one of > the computers is always turned on. And this seems crucial to me for all > those home and small office users who really have no crying need for a > server machine. This used to be rare, but is becoming more common every > day. > > I have thought about putting one in at my house but mostly as another toy > to play with. The best real use I might have would be to act as NAS for > backups. Too many toy projects for this old man. > > - -- > > JT Morée > > PC Xperience, Inc. > > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- > > Version: GnuPG v1.4.2.2 (GNU/Linux) > > Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org > > > > iD8DBQFFiMYc1JwGi/ukQqERAgVtAKD2/EJtAUEpEdVn7bmpUG9BZdCbSACg4IDc > > rVTf0j4zkk47d+c7IskIL2U= > > =shhl > > -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- > > > > -- > > This message has been scanned for viruses and > > dangerous content by MailScanner, and is > > believed to be clean. > > MailScanner thanks transtec Computers for their support. > > > > --------------------------------------------------- > > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us > > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change you mail settings: > > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss > > > > > > -- > Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter > and those who matter don't mind. - Dr. Seuss > -- Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. - Dr. Seuss