DynDNS on Ubiquiti EdgeRouter: step-by-step setup
The Ubiquiti EdgeRouter (EdgeOS) ships with a DynDNS2 client via ddclient that can target any custom server. With DNS Beacon your network stays reachable under a permanent hostname even when your WAN IP changes. Here's how to configure it via the CLI.
Step by step
- Open the admin interface of your Ubiquiti EdgeRouter and go to CLI (configure) — or GUI: Services → DNS → Dynamic DNS.
- Enter the values below. Your username is your account email, your password is an API key from the dashboard.
- Save the settings. Your hostname now updates automatically whenever your IP changes — usually within a minute.
Settings to enter
CLI (configure) — or GUI: Services → DNS → Dynamic DNS
- Protocol:
- dyndns2
- Server:
- api.dnsbeacon.com
- Hostname:
- myhouse.dnsfollowme.uk
- Login:
- your email address
- Password:
- your API key
- IPv6:
- IPv4 only – the ddclient shipped with EdgeOS does not handle AAAA updates reliably. For IPv6, run the DNS Beacon client directly on the target device.
EdgeOS uses ddclient. In the CLI: `set service dns dynamic interface eth0 service custom-dnsbeacon protocol dyndns2`, then `server <API host>`, `host-name <hostname>`, `login <email>`, `password <API key>` — then `commit; save`. Replace eth0 with your WAN interface.
IPv4 or IPv6?
The values above update the IPv4 address (A record) — the normal case on connections with their own public IPv4. For IPv6 (AAAA record) the device sends the parameter &myipv6=<IPv6> in addition or instead. How to do that on this device is in the "IPv6" row of the table.
DS-Lite or CGNAT (many cable and fibre connections): the router then has no public IPv4, and the service rejects a private WAN address with "abuse". In that case send only myipv6 — or use the DNS Beacon client directly on the target device, which detects both address families itself.
Need a free hostname first?
Create a free DNS Beacon account, add a hostname and generate an API key — then come back and finish the setup above.
Create free account