FAQs

Please take some time to peruse the headings below. You are likely find answers to your questions here. However, if you cannot find the answer to your question, please send us a note.

Do I need to open any ports on my Firewall and/or router?
Yes. The dDNS Broker SE application uses the STUN protocol to detect your system's IPv4 address reliably. This light-weight protocol was developed by the VoIP industry to identify their client's public IPv4 address in unusual configurations. The STUN protocol utilizes the Unreliable Datagram Protocol (UDP) and its default port number is 3478.

Please make sure that UDP traffic on port 3478 is not blocked in either direction.
Which dynamic DNS providers are supported?
The following dynamic DNS providers are supported. Providers marked with 6 suffix support IPv6 DNS records. If your favorite dynamic DNS provider is not on the list, send us a note to help us prioritize our support list.

Which dynamic DNS record types are supported?
Updates to the following DNS record types are supported:
  • A Record: An A or IPv4 Address record (also known as a host record) links a domain or hostname to the IPv4 address of a computer hosting that domain’s services.
  • AAAA Record: An AAAA or IPv6 Address record links a domain or hostname to the IPv6 address of a computer hosting that domain’s services.
  • MX Record: Mail Exchange (MX) records direct a domain’s email to the servers hosting the domain’s user accounts.
Please note that your service provider is likely to support a similar but potentially different set of record types.
How does dDNS Broker SE detect IP address changes?
dDNS Broker SE uses a proprietary algorithm to detect changes to your Mac's public IPv6 address.

dDNS Broker SE detects changes on your Mac's public IPv4 address by querying its own IPv4 address from public STUN servers from all corners of the world. About 140 STUN servers are utilized.
Why does dDNS Broker SE not launch at system startup?
On Mac OS X there are a few types of background applications that start at system startup, with varying restrictions. The most elegant solution is a variant of dDNS Broker SE, designed as a preference pane application. However, such applications are not allowed to be sold through the Mac App Store. The applications released through the Mac App Store must run in a "sand-box" and hence their capabilities are constrained.

We indeed considered developing a preference pane version of dDNS Broker SE. If there is demand for such an application, we will be more than happy to develop it. What do you think? Please send us a note.
How can I launch dDNS Broker SE in recovery mode?
Sometimes, a user defined preference (like a service record) exposes a defect in dDNS Broker SE that causes the application to hang or crash. The problem is compounded if the main switch was left at the "On" position, resulting perpetual application hang or crash cycles.

dDNS Broker SE supports "Recovery Mode". In the "Recovery Mode", the main switch is initially forced to the "Off" position. This mode allows the user to modify the preferences and isolate the offending one. You can start dDNS Broker SE in the "Recovery Mode" by holding down the command key while launching the application and keep it down for about five more seconds. You should see a "Detected Recovery Mode" notification.

At times, it is best to reset dDNS Broker SE configurations (preferences) and start fresh - just as a fresh install of the application. Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) item titled "How can I reset dDNS Broker SE Configurations (aka. Preferences)?" for details.
How can I reset dDNS Broker SE Configurations (aka. Preferences)?
The easiest way to reset the application to "just installed" state is selecting the "Reset Configuration..." item from the status bar menu and following the on-screen instructions. However, if that option is not available, follow the instructions below.

  • Copy this path, excluding double-quotes, to clipboard: "~/Library/Containers/com.AppQuarter.IP-Monitor/Data/Library/Application Support/com.AppQuarter.IP-Monitor"
  • Select "Finder" / "Go" / "Go to Folder..."
  • Paste contents of the clipboard to the text box, and click on the "Go" button
  • Delete all three files in that folder. They all should have names starting with "PrefModel"
  • Restart dDNS Broker SE, and follow on-screen instructions
Note: You may not traverse the directory hierarchy manually to reach to the same folder, as path includes hidden folders.
Which third-party VPN clients are supported?
dDNS Broker SE was tested with the following VPN clients:.
  • VPN Unlimited v8.6.9
  • ExpressVPN v11.8.0
  • NordVPN v7.12.2
  • Tunnelblick v3.8.7a
  • Shimo v4.1.3
  • Viscosity v1.10.5b5
  • ClearVPN v1.4.2
However, dDNS Broker SE has a proprietary algorithm to analyze some system data structures to detect presence of third-party VPN clients. This algorithm is less prone to imperfect VPN client implementations, hence we expect dDNS Broker SE to work with most popular VPN clients.

Please let us know if dDNS Broker SE does not work with your favorite VPN client. That will help us prioritize our development and test plans.

 FAQs