Configuring Dynamic DNS

Dynamic DNS Domain Name System. A DNS server functions as a phone book for the intranet and Internet users. It converts human-readable computer host names into IP addresses and IP addresses into host names. It stores several records for a domain name such as an address 'A' record, name server (NS), and mail exchanger (MX) records. The Address 'A' record is the most important record that is stored in a DNS server, because it provides the required IP address for a network peripheral or element. (DDNS) is a feature of APs that allows you to update the hostname and the names of DL3 clients connected to them. DDNS provides a consistent approach to access the AP and DL3 clients by updating the DNS records automatically when an IP address changes.

If the ISP Internet Service Provider. An ISP is an organization that provides services for accessing and using the Internet. assigns a dynamic IP address to the AP, the AP loses connectivity due to a change in its public IP address. Similarly, if the dynamically assigned IP address changes for DL3 clients with an AP, which acts as a DHCP Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. A network protocol that enables a server to automatically assign an IP address to an IP-enabled device from a defined range of numbers configured for a given network. server, the host is no longer accessible. DDNS eliminates these issues by assigning a custom domain name to the IP address that updates automatically when the IP address changes. Thus, even if the IP address is changed by the ISP, you can still connect to your device to the network using the same hostname.

To enable DDNS for APs, complete the following steps:

In the WebUI, select one of the following options:
- To select an AP group in the filter:
  1. Set the filter to a group containing at least one AP.
    The dashboard context for the group is displayed.
  2. Under Manage, click Devices > Access Points.
    A list of APs is displayed in the List view.
- To select an AP in the filter:
  1. Set the filter to Global or a group containing at least one AP.
  2. Under Manage, click Devices > Access Points.
    A list of APs is displayed in the List view.
  3. Click an AP listed under Device Name.
    The dashboard context for the AP is displayed.
  4. Under Manage, click Device > Access Point.
Click the Config icon.
The tabs to configure the APs are displayed.
Under Services, expand the Dynamic DNS accordion.
Click the Enable Dynamic DNS toggle switch to enable or disable the feature.
Configure the settings defined in Dynamic DNS Configuration Parameters.
Click Save.

The following table describes the DDNS configuration parameters.

Table 1: Dynamic DNS Configuration Parameters
Mode	Description
Key	Configures a Transaction Signature shared secret key to secure the dynamic updates. The following algorithm names are supported: hmac-md5 (used by default if algo-name is not specified) hmac-sha1 hmac-sha256 Example of Key value: hmac-sha1:arubaddns:<secret key> NOTE: When the Key value is configured, the update is successful only if the AP and the DNS server clocks are in sync.
Server IP	Enter the server IP address of the DNS server to which the client updates are sent. NOTE: If the DNS server IP address is not specified in the Dynamic DNS section, the AP's updates will be sent to the its DNS server instead.
Interval	Specify the time interval (in seconds) at which the DNS updates are to be synced to the server. The default time interval is 12 hours (43200 seconds), minimum time interval is 15 minutes, and maximum time interval is 100 days.
DDNS Pointer Record (PTR)	Click the toggle switch to enable Pointer Records (PTR) in DDNS client updates. For more information on PTR, see Pointer Records in DDNS Client Updates.

Pointer Records in DDNS Client Updates

P and DL3 DHCP profile. A DNS PTR provides the domain name associated with an IP address. The client associated with a domain name, which gets a dynamic IP address from the DHCP server, must ensure that its IP address is always kept up to date (A record). PTR resolves an IP address to a fully-qualified domain name (FQDN Fully Qualified Domain Name. FQDN is a complete domain name that identifies a computer or host on the Internet.) as opposed to the updates of an A record. PTR updates are also called Reverse DNS records. While A (host) record maps the domain name to an IP address, PTR maps the IP address to a hostname. PTR ensures that the IP address of the AP officially connects to the host.

Configuring the PTR is essential if you are using both internal or external mail servers. The PTR adds reliability to server updates and allows the receiving end to check the hostname of the source IP address. This serves as an effective method to safeguard against spammers.

Configuring a DDNS Server Profile

HPE Aruba Networking Central now supports configuring a public DDNS server profile for an AP to which the AP will send updates. A maximum of three DDNS profiles can be configured. However, only one DDNS profile can be assigned to the DL3 DHCP profile and the Instant AP at any given time.

To configure a public DDNS server profile for an AP in HPE Aruba Networking Central, complete the following steps:

In the WebUI, select one of the following options:
- To select an AP group in the filter:
  1. Set the filter to a group containing at least one AP.
    The dashboard context for the group is displayed.
  2. Under Manage, click Devices > Access Points.
    A list of APs is displayed in the List view.
- To select an AP in the filter:
  1. Set the filter to Global or a group containing at least one AP.
  2. Under Manage, click Devices > Access Points.
    A list of APs is displayed in the List view.
  3. Click an AP listed under Device Name.
    The dashboard context for the AP is displayed.
  4. Under Manage, click Device > Access Point.
Click the Config icon.
The tabs to configure the APs are displayed.
Under Services, expand the Dynamic DNS accordion.
The Dynamic DNS page is displayed.
Select a DDNS profile from the DDNS Profile drop-down list.
The DDNS Profile parameter is not visible when the Enable Dynamic DNS check-box is enabled.
To add a DDNS profile, click the + icon in the DDNS Profile table and specify the following parameters:
- Profile Name—Specify the name of the DDNS profile to be assigned for the AP.
- Provider Name—Specify the DDNS service provider. For example, NoIP, DynDNSorg, or ChangeIP.
- Mode—Specify the mode in which the AP sends DNS updates to the DDNS. For example, HTTP Hypertext Transfer Protocol. The HTTP is an application protocol to transfer data over the web. The HTTP protocol defines how messages are formatted and transmitted, and the actions that the w servers and browsers should take in response to various commands. or HTTPS Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. HTTPS is a variant of the HTTP that adds a layer of security on the data in transit through a secure socket layer or transport layer security protocol connection..
- Username—Specify the username used to login to the DDNS service provider.
- Interval—Specify the interval at which the AP sends update to the DDNS.
- Password—Enter a password to login to the DDNS service provider.
- Retype Password—Retype the password to login to the DDNS service provider.
Click Save.