FTP Domain names

[elboro]

Where can you get free ftp domain names, if you can get them...
I have only found http domain names.

Thanks, ElBoRo

[craigh]

There's no such thing as "FTP domain names" and "HTTP domain names".

You can call your FTP server "shirley.elboro.com" if you want, or call your web server "ftp.elboro.com", although that will probably confuse the punters.

Once you have a domain name e.g. elboro.com, swiftdsl.com.au, yamaha.co.uk etc, then your actual server names are set up within those domains e.g. mail.swiftdsl.com.au.

The names don't mean anything in themselves, they are just a way to save humans from having to remember IP addresses.

As for "free" domains, some people offer free web sites, some even with your own domain name, but the catch is that they usually then have their own ads on your web site (I'm thinking of sites like Geocities). You can't really do that with FTP so I don't like your chances of finding a free FTP provider.

Since you have a static IP address you should be able to buy your own domain for not much money, then have the provider point their DNS at your IP address and run your own FTP server. The whole thing should only cost you around $100 to set up and you aren't reliant on anyone else. That's the whole reason why having a static IP address is a Good Thing.

[elboro]

kool, thanks

[maebmij]

Further to what craigh said, you don't have to buy your own domain name to have one attached to your static IP.

Providers such as dyndns.org (http://www.dyndns.org) will give you a name like elboro.dyndns.org (for free), and have that name resolve to your fixed IP address at home. If you turn on 'wildcarding' in your dyndns.org setup, then you can also use www.elboro.dyndns.org and ftp.elboro.dyndns.org, which will point to exactly the same place, but look prettier.

Because this is a real domain name, and not a web-forwarding thing, it can be used just as easily to access an ftp site on your computer as a web site, and there isn't any advertising or anything like that. The only catch (it's not clear from your post) is that you do need to have an ftp server running on your computer for the new domain to point to.

[craigh]

Yeah, thanks, I forgot to mention that.

For some reason I always equate dyndns.org and no-ip.com with not having a static IP address, but they are still just as valid if you don't want to set up your own "real" domain.

[donburch]

Don't forget the *.id.au domains !!!

from http://www.id.au
What is id.au?
The id.au domain is open to individuals who are Australian citizens or residents. The id.au domain was designed to solve the problem of keeping email addresses consistent over time.

It was noticed that over time an individual may move between several employers or Internet Service Providers (or whatever other affiliation provides their network connectivity), requiring them to change their email address. id.au was created to provide email addresses and domains that individuals can keep.

Want an identity?
Individuals can register a domain under the id.au domain by contacting one of the auDA accredited registrars.

Alternatively, individuals can register domains under one of the existing third-level domains:
dropbear.id.au
echidna.id.au
emu.id.au
ironbark.id.au
lorikeet.id.au
waratah.id.au
wattle.id.au
wombat.id.au
wallaroo.id.au

An individual can view the policies of the various third-level domain providers, and choose the one that most suits their needs. If the individual requires fast and reliable service, they will likely expect to pay for it. If they wish a low-cost service, some domains are be provided free-of-charge.

For instance, my domain is burch.wattle.id.au . Just give your static IP address when registering your domain name.

[Zoolander]

Yeah but the reverse lookup will always be your Swiftel domain name right ?

It's cooler if you can take that domain name on irc and stuff like that no ? =)