Run Your Own DNS Server

I've always run my own servers when doing Internet streaming; it just seemed the easiest and most controllable way to do things.

I've also always had a static IP that I've paid my ISP extra for.  Again, it was easy.

Now, however, I'm on a plan that only provides a Dynamic IP, and I'm thinking of streaming again.  It's certainly possible; there are external servers 'out there' on the web that allow you to link a domain name, such as artisanradio.dynu.com, to my current IP (the provider in this case, as you might expect, is dynu).  The trick is to change your IP address on the dynu site when my ISP changes it; some routers support dynamic DNS, and you can also run a software client that will update the server when it detects an IP change.

All this seemed rather complicated and unwieldy, however.  Then I thought - what about running my own DNS server?  There are again several common options 'out there', but then I ran across MaraDNS, a free, open source and lightweight piece of software that can run on both UNIX, UNIX variants and Windows.

Here is the link: MaraDNS

This looks like a decent option, with readable documentation and relatively simple setup.  After setup, all you have to do is to delegate your domain to your DNS server; how you do that depends on your domain registrar.

I came full circle, however, as to do that you need to point the nameserver address with your registrar to your DNS server, and that will require a static IP.

Still, it was an interesting exercise, and one which I think I'll implement - it only costs me C$10/month to add a static IP to my internet plan and I really like the idea of only relying on my own servers (other than the domain registrar).