Bizzare Web Hosting IP Question

[lastig21]

I have been using a dsl connection with a static ip. I liked this because I could always access either the webpage or the ftp server I hosted on my machine. Due to recent problems getting this set back up at my new address (mostly just them dragging their feet) I have decided to go with either a cable modem or another dsl provider. The new options all use dynamic ip's however.

My question is: Is there a way to message the web server (email preferably) from a non-lan connection and have the server reply automatically with its ip address? For example sending an email to the host with ip in the subject and the computer sends a reply including the ip address it is currently hosting on.

I know this seems far-fetched, but thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Ladi]

Why not go with one of many dynamic DNS services like dyndns.org? You download a small application that updates their DNS servers when your IP changes so <yourhostname>.dyndns.org always resolves to your current IP. Search Yahoo or these forums for the names of other similar services...

~Ladi

 

[goldboyd]

Yup, dyndns sound like it would get the job done for you. Also, what os are you running? On most a few of my unix boxes that have dynamic ips, i have wrote a small script to check the ip, then email and/or page me when it changes.

 

[lastig21]

I'm running Win 2k Pro. How does dyndns work? Do I have to have a registered homepage or no? Before I was just using the actual ip address.

 

[Ladi]

Primer linked from dyndns.org
dyndns's own faq

~Ladi