DirectAdmin with Dinamic IP

[speedwebby]

Can DirectAdmin CP be used on a server that has Dynamic IP and Ubuntu operating system?
For example, if I use Linux DUC from noip.com, it always changes the server IP after the IP received from the internet provider.
Does DirectAdmin CP accept changing the IP?

 

[DrWizzle]

I wouldn't recommend it, as you'd be changing the IP for each user, All affected DNS records, the reverse DNS, and the host IPs all the time. EVen with a DDNS provider, if the IP for the server changes, the IP on all the servers services must also change to match. There is a script that will change the server IP for you in the DA scripts folder, but I really wouldn't advise it frequently.

You'd also have to update your glue records on your main domain every IP change (DA server or DDNS Provider) also at the registrar, and wait for that to propagate if you wanted static nameservers on your DA setup, along with changing the server IP on every domain's DNS record at your Domain / DNS provider also and again waiting for it to propagate.

Even with DDNS providers (Which i'm guessing is the plan here) can they provide you a static IP and control all the IP changes behind on your server? You need a static IP somewhere in the mix for stable DNS and smooth serving.

Servers need static IP addresses. Have you considered renting a cheap VPS? They have static IPs. You can rent these from as little as a fiver a month.

In short, a massive train wreck and I wouldn't do it. Look for something with a Static IP, or approach your ISP if this is self hosted, and get them to give you a static ip. Most providers will do it for a fee. I have a static IP at home. Not for servers, but for access control.

What is your end use goal with your setup? Might be able to help further if we know what you plan to build,

 

[speedwebby]

I want to use my server only for testing and my provider doesn't offer fixed IP. For production I already have a VPS.

 

[DrWizzle]

If it's only for testing, I can't see an issue. I have test servers here and run DA on them with a static internal IP. You can set a static internal IP in netplan, or via your virtualisor if you're using something like ProxMox. (Maybe something like 192.168.1.20/24 ) as example? At least that way all DA's services have some sort of stability. Avoid using DHCP if you're using ProxMox or similar for VMs and Containers

I do have to warn you though, DA will pick up your ISPs IP (guessing that's the variable one) and bind it to your DA licence in drirectadmin.com

If you load your server or DA "Phones home" and the IP doesn't match as it's changed, you may get licencing errors and have to reload the licence.

Maybe contact your ISP and see what block of IPs they rotate , for example 120.2.20.20/20 . You could add this into your DA licence and enable IP lock to prevent having to reissue all the time, but this in itself is a security risk as anyone on that subnet could potentially use your licence key if they got hold of it.

It's not without it's problems what you're trying to do, but it's great to see people using DA for testing as well.

 

[Richard G]

You could set it up as LAN installation, then you only need 1 external ip address, for testing this is good, but you need a seperate license too. You can't use the same license which you also have on your VPS. You probably know, but just to be sure.

I don't remember if DA can work on a dynamic ip, probably yes. But the problem will be DNS.
If you use an external DNS provider, you have to change the ip every time.
If you use local nameservers, you have to update your nameserver ip's every time with your registrar (this can take time to sync).

However, if you just want to test locally, maybe with pointing your pc's dns to your local server ip's, it might work for you.

DA will pick up your ISPs IP (guessing that's the variable one) and bind it to your DA licence in drirectadmin.com

No that was in the old days. It now binds your license ID to Directadmin, but it does check if it's used on multiple ip's regularly and then disabling DA if it detects it on one of the servers.
You do have the option to lock a license to your ip, but that is optional, not done by default.

I don't know what you want to test, but it might be better to use a local XAMP or LAMP setup.

 

[DrWizzle]

No that was in the old days. It now binds your license ID to Directadmin, but it does check if it's used on multiple ip's regularly and then disabling DA if it detects it on one of the servers.
You do have the option to lock a license to your ip, but that is optional, not done by default.

Thanks Richard, I knew something under the hood did that. I had to reload a licence a few weeks back as I 'd changed the servers's IP (relocated it). Wasn't an issue, but just thought i'd mention as it can play up at times if something don't match.

And I agree with a XAMP or LAMP setup, they are great if you want to learn CLI. A cheap DA licence is great for playing with DA until you break it and then start again!