Dynamic DNS Configuration

This guide will walk you through the process of setting up Dynamic DNS (DDNS) in Poweradmin.

Setting Up User Permissions

You'll need to create a user with specific permissions for DDNS updates:

1. Create a permission template:
   • Navigate to Users > Add permission template
   • Provide a meaningful name (e.g., "dynamic") and description
   • Select required permissions:
     • zone_master_add
     • zone_content_view_own
     • zone_content_edit_own or zone_content_edit_own_as_client or zone_content_edit_others

1. Create a new user:
   • Navigate to Users > Add user
   • Fill in user details
   • Apply the previously created template

Configuring DNS Zone

After creating a user with appropriate permissions:

1. Log in as the new user
2. Select "Add master zone"
3. Enter your domain name
4. Navigate to the created zone
5. Add a record for dynamic updates

Server-Side Configuration

The Dynamic DNS functionality in Poweradmin is provided by the dynamic_update.php script, which handles DNS record updates when IP addresses change.

Configuration Options

The main configuration is controlled through Poweradmin's settings:

return [
    'dynamicdns' => [
        'enabled' => true,             // Enable or disable DDNS functionality
        'ttl' => 60,                   // Default TTL for dynamic records (in seconds)
        'allow_auto_detect' => true,   // Allow automatic IP detection
        'allow_ipv4' => true,          // Allow IPv4 updates
        'allow_ipv6' => true,          // Allow IPv6 updates
        'require_authentication' => true, // Require user authentication
    ],
];

Security Considerations

1. Use HTTPS: Always use HTTPS for DDNS updates to prevent credentials and updates from being intercepted.
2. Create dedicated users: Create specific users for DDNS updates with minimal permissions.
3. IP restrictions: Consider implementing IP restrictions for DDNS user accounts if your update sources have static IP addresses.
4. Regular auditing: Periodically review DDNS activity in logs to detect unusual patterns.

Testing Your Configuration

After setup, you can test your configuration using:

curl -u username:password "https://yourserver.com/dynamic_update.php?hostname=host.yourdomain.com&myip=auto"

A successful response will look like:

good 192.168.1.100

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues with your DDNS setup:

1. Check permissions: Ensure the user has proper permissions for zone editing
2. Verify zone ownership: The user must own or have access to the zone being updated
3. Check authentication: Verify credentials are correctly configured
4. Review logs: Check Poweradmin logs for detailed error messages
5. Test manually: Try manual updates with cURL to isolate client vs. server issues

For client setup instructions, see Client Setup.