Integrating IPCT DDNS with Asus Routers

IPCT DDNS can easily be integrated with Asus routers running AsusWRT-Merlin firmware. The entire process from start to finish should take under 5 minutes.

Step 1 - Download Asuswrt-Merlin

First download the Asuswrt-Merlin firmware for your router by clicking here or the spoiler text below.

Step 2 - Flash Firmware

Since Asuswrt-Merlin is mostly a variant of the original Asuswrt, it means that there is no special procedure to flash it. Just flash it the same way you would flash any regular Asus firmware (Administration -> Firmware Upgrade -> New firmware File).

Step 3 - Enable SSH

• Click "Administration" on the left side, then the System tab and the Yes option for Enable SSH and Allow SSH password login. Then scroll down and click Apply
  

Step 4 - Sign up for IPCT DDNS

If you haven't already, sign up for IPCT DDNS and create a hostname. The hostname will be the URL that to use for your DDNS. By default your current IP address and username will be used, but you can change that if you want.

The hostname will be assigned a unique API key after it is added. Make sure to keep this API key private. You can reset it at any time.

Step 5 - Turn off JFFS Formatting

1. We are going to put the custom DNS script on a partition that is wiped when the router reboots. You can disable wiping of this partition so the script stays there forever.
2. Log in to the Asus web interface. In the left pane under the Advanced Settings section, click Administration
3. Now click the System tab, under Persistent JFFS2 partition set Format JFFS partition at next boot to No
4. Set Enable JFFS custom scripts and configs to Yes
5. Scroll down and click Apply
   

Step 6 - Create Custom DDNS Script

You will need a program to SSH into your router. I recommend using PuTTY.

1. SSH into your Asus router (admin as user) and enter the jffs scripts folder
   
   Code:

   cd /jffs/scripts

2. Create the ddns-start script by editing ddns-start by typing
   
   Code:

   vi ddns-start

3. Now copy these lines and paste them into the vi editor (in Putty right-click pastes). Make sure you first replace APIKEY with the API Key assigned to your host name in Step Four.
   
   Code:

   #!/bin/sh
   
   wget -q https://ipcamtalk.com/dyn?api=APIKEY -O - >/dev/null
   
   if [ $? -eq 0 ]; then
   
       /sbin/ddns_custom_updated 1
   
   else
   
        /sbin/ddns_custom_updated 0
   
   fi

   Vi can be a little finicky and tricky, so make sure the entire code is there. You may have to type out some of the beginning part of the code. It cut off everything before the : in the url the first time I did it.
4. To save this file, click the ESC button on your keyboard, then type :wq and press Enter.
5. We need to make the script executable by typing the following code
   
   Code:

   chmod a+x /jffs/scripts/ddns-start

Step 7 - Enable the Custom DDNS Script

1. Log back into the Asus router web interface to enable custom DDNS.
2. Under Advanced Settings choose WAN
3. Click the DDNS tab and set Enable the DDNS Client to Yes
4. Set Method to retrieve WAN IP to Internal
5. Set Server to Custom (which uses the script we created before)
   
6. Enter your API key as the Host Name
7. Click Apply
   

After the router applies the new settings you should receive a message saying "Registration is successful.". Good job, you're done! Your hostname is now set to your global IP address and is fully integrated with your Asus router. If you do not receive this message then go over the integration again and make sure you typed the code exactly.

You can confirm it's working by checking the IPCT DDNS page. Your hostname should reflect your IP address.