Dynamic DNS
Dynamic DNS stands for Domain Name System. It can be described as the method used to keep a domain name linked to a non-static IP address. Dynamic DNS is extremely useful since not all computers have static IP address allocations.
Whenever a user makes an Internet connection the Internet Service Provider (ISP) allocates an available IP address from a group to the user for the length of the connection. When the connection is closed, the address will not be valid anymore. Addresses are thus dynamically assigned. The dynamic DNS provider runs an application on the user’s pc that contacts the service provider when the address is used. The address will change every time the user connects. The DNS database is updated to reflect the changes.
The benefit of dynamic DNS is that although the IP address of the domain name changes, external users don’t have to know what the address is to connect to the computer. The main advantage is that two computers will not have the same IP and will thus not create a conflict of interest. With a static IP this can easily happen and service then lost.
Itis just one of the automatic protection features client networks obtain when making use of the Linux security solution available from Wireless Dimensions. The solution known as WDGuard is the in-house security system developed by Wireless Dimensions aimed at small and medium size businesses and home offices. It aims to protect the client network against external threats while also preventing misuse of the company’s network by its employees.
Other automatic network protection features offered by WDGuard include:
- Firewall protection – set-up of router forwarding and specific firewall rules
- DHCP
- Intrusion identification
- PPoE – which ensures ongoing connectivity
- Spam blocking
- Virus and external threat blocking
- URL blocking
- Content filtering
- Internet scheduling
- Bandwidth protection
- Email control.
WDGuard runs behind exchange servers and effectively blocks intrusion attempts. The email solution for instance, includes anti-spam and anti-virus software. To prevent bandwidth being used to download junk mail, filtering of emails according to content takes place before the emails are downloaded. The client only receives relevant mail, but to prevent relevant messages from being blocked, the mail server sends the client a message once a day with all the blocked mail listed. The client can select mail to be unblocked for future purposes. Since it is an Artificial Intelligent system it learns from the actions of the client and will automatically adapt its blocking strategy accordingly.
Apart from the email facility, bandwidth protection is also provided. Client companies can use the bandwidth graphs to identify sites visited, time spent at the sites, bandwidth used and by whom. Sites not related to work can be blocked - for instance gaming, porn, gambling, chatting and music sites. Internet access can be restricted and time scheduled for browsing. Through the advanced proxy server faster browsing can be obtained.
Contact Wireless Dimensions for a complete solution to Internet and company network security which also includes Dynamic DNS.
