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cPanel includes a Dynamic DNS feature that lets a hostname on your domain always point at a device whose IP address changes — such as a home server, office router, or Raspberry Pi on a residential connection.

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How Dynamic DNS works

You create a dynamic DNS hostname (e.g. home.yourdomain.com) in cPanel. cPanel gives you a private update URL. A device on your network calls that URL periodically; whenever its public IP has changed, the DNS record is updated automatically. The hostname then always resolves to your current IP.

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Creating a Dynamic DNS hostname

  1. Log in to cPanel.
  2. In the Domains section, click Dynamic DNS.
  3. Click Create.
  4. Enter the subdomain to use (e.g. home.yourdomain.com) and an optional description.
  5. Click Create.
  6. cPanel displays the Dynamic DNS URL — copy it and keep it private. Anyone with this URL can update the record.
Your domain’s DNS must be hosted with us (using our nameservers) for cPanel’s Dynamic DNS records to be authoritative.

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Configuring the client

On the device whose IP changes, call the update URL on a schedule. Linux / Raspberry Pi (cron):
This checks in every 15 minutes. Routers: many routers support custom dynamic DNS providers — configure the update URL directly in the router’s DDNS settings if supported. When the URL is called, the record is set to the public IP the request came from, so run the client from inside the network whose IP you want tracked.

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Uses

  • Reach a home NAS, camera system, or media server by name
  • Self-hosted services on a residential connection
  • Remote access to an office network with a dynamic IP
Combine the dynamic hostname with non-standard ports or a VPN for anything sensitive — a stable hostname makes your device easier for you to reach, and also easier for others to find.