localdns

Tiny Node.js dynamic DNS service built with dnsd, Express.js, MongoDB, Pug and Bootstrap.

The app consists of two parts: a web frontend with registration, login and IP address mapping; and a tiny DNS server which serves records from a database.

Use it for free at localdns.in

Usage

You can simply login to the website and manage your subdomain and IP address there or you can use the simple HTTP API to update your IP with a script or dynamic DNS client.

Cron

The easiest way to keep your mapping up to date is to add the following line to your crontab which will update your IP every three hours:

0 */3 * * * curl -u 'USERNAME:PASSWORD' https://localdns.in/update

ddclient

You can use ddclient to keep your IP address up to date with the following config:

server=localdns.in, \
protocol=dyndns2,   \
login=USERNAME,     \
password=PASSWORD   \
SUBDOMAIN.localdns.in

DD-WRT

Routers running DD-WRT can update your IP address by using the built in dynamic DNS settings found under Setup → DDNS. Other routers may also work but are untested.

DDNS Service: Custom
DYNDNS Server: localdns.in
Username: USERNAME
Password: PASSWORD
Hostname: SUBDOMAIN.localdns.in
URL: /nic/update?hostname=

Development

1. Clone this repo:

git clone https://github.com/JoeBiellik/localdns.git && cd localdns

2. Install dependencies:

docker-compose run --no-deps --rm app npm install

3. Start app, DNS server and database:

docker-compose up

4. Test the local DNS server:

dig localdns.local @localhost

5. Register an account and subdomain in your browser at http://localhost:3000/

6. Lookup the subdomain and check the IP address:

dig example.localdns.local @localhost

Deployment

1. Create DNS glue records for ns1.your.domain with your domain registrar pointing to your server's IP address and register it as the domain's nameserver.

2. Configure config/production.json with your domain, server IP and any custom records and settings

3. Make sure your server's firewall allows external DNS traffic on port 53 TCP and UDP

4. Follow development steps 1 and 2 above and start the production stack:

docker-compose -f docker-compose.yml -f production.yml up

5. Test DNS resolution:

dig your.domain ANY @ns1.your.domain