Domain IP Instant Messenger

[xera]

Recently I created an instant messenger.

The IM Server runs on one pc, and the Clients run on various others.

The Client is able to connect to the Server, ONLY because it knows the Server's IP address.

The Problem is that everytime the PC with the IM Server reconnects, it gets a new IP address. And the Clients Don't know this New IP Address.


Please any advice or comments are welcome, I'm clueless on this topic.
Thanks!

[Atheist]

Use http://www.no-ip.org, its great in these situations or buy a fancy ip with a static ip

[xera]

Thanks, I looked at that site earlier today, do you know if there's a easier solution? Or a way that won't cost money?

[dminder]

Here is a farrrr out idea.....When the server comes up, have it send a file to an ftp site of your choosing (there are a ton of free ones out there) with the current IP in it - you COULD even encrypt it if your worried about security. Modify your program to go first to that FTP site, download, decrypt and then have them use that IP to connect. This would help greatly in making sure that you would always have the up to date IP address.

******************************
I scare myself sometimes......

D

[Atheist]

Im pretty sure it doesnt cost money, look here http://www.no-ip.com/services/manage...namic_dns.html

[Str4nger]

Why not just everytime you change IP send like "//setIP:<YOUR_IP_ADDRESS>" to all the clients? and the client then changes the IP to connect to everytime... and for the users that are offline... its their fault for not staying online lol... but if u really wanna start something you WILL need a static IP address... i think u can get that from ur ISP just tell them u need one... they'll give u one but might charge you extra for that... :-/

[xera]

do you think you could show me how you would send a file to a ftp site??? I've heard of that method before, but don't exactly understand it or know how to write code for it lol thanks

[dminder]

You can either feed a man a fish or better yet teach them how to fish....

Links from VBForums:
http://www.vbforums.com/showthread.php?t=443934
http://www.vbforums.com/showthread.php?t=400585
http://www.vbforums.com/showthread.php?t=441105

MSDN Link to FTPWebRequestClass - interacts directly with FTP Servers
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/lib...ebrequest.aspx

That should get you started. Keep it simple until you understand more of how/what you are doing.

And yes I know that the quote above is a bastardization of the age old one

Good Luck!!

D

[Krenshau]

If the server and clients are on a intranet, you could use DNS to store the name and IP of the server, then have the client use DNS to resolve the name to the IP address. If the clients and server are comunicating over the internet, and the server doesn't have a static IP, you could use DynDNS, or some other dynamic DNS provider. Many are free.

This may be a bit more complicated, but it is more reliable, and conforms to normal standards. Don't ask me how to do it, though. I haven't had a chance to work in this area in .NET, yet.

[Atheist]

I just dont see why no-ip.org is of no interest Ive used it myself, free, and it worked just as it should.

[dminder]

I do agree with Atheist I the free and no additional work needed no-ip.org is the fastest and easily more reliable way to go, my original post was meant to be kind of joking even though it would work it is very far out in left field, however if they want/need to learn how to do something then I certainly would not deny them that priveledge. I had to chuckle at the "conforms to normal standards comment".....priceless.

Of course I am hopped up on Dayquil today so that could be why.......

D

[xera]

Atheist, I have tried no-ip.org before, but although it seems free, you still have to enter a credit card number - which I don't have so it isn't actually an option for me!

But it seems on the right track...

I would also appreciate help with a similar question:

Although I've got IIS installed on my PC, I can't view the web pages on it from another PC.
for eg on my PC I will type:
http://mypcname/mywebs/sample.aspx
but from another PC it won't work! Why is this?

You can tell I'm clueless lol, thanks so much for the help everyone

[xera]

If the server and clients are on a intranet, you could use DNS to store the name and IP of the server, then have the client use DNS to resolve the name to the IP address. If the clients and server are comunicating over the internet, and the server doesn't have a static IP, you could use DynDNS, or some other dynamic DNS provider. Many are free.

This may be a bit more complicated, but it is more reliable, and conforms to normal standards. Don't ask me how to do it, though. I haven't had a chance to work in this area in .NET, yet.

Yo thanks man! dynDNS.com works perfectly!!! Just what I needed

Here is link of an Update Client for your Dynamic IP:

http://a.domaindlx.com/GreatPumpkinator/dyndns.html

enjoy!

[xera]

And here is another dynDNS Update Client in VB.NET! Happy coding! God Bless!

http://www.breezetraining.com.au/sit...try&EntryID=99