EdgeRouter Lite and Namecheap Dynamic DNS

For years, I'be connected back to my home network when I was away for various reasons. As my home network is on a residential cable modem, the IP address of the network is not guaranteed to remain the same. While it remains the same for long periods of time, I don't really want to take the risk of the IP address changing while I'm not home and not being able to access the network. The solution, of course, is Dynamic DNS (DDNS) where you run a small client on a machine that is running all the time that monitors the external IP address and then updates a DNS provider when it changes; the DNS provider uses a short TTL (time to live) to guarantee that the cached DNS entry doesn't last too long. For years, I've run SecuritySpy which has a built in DDNS client that connects to a service that the company runs. This has run flawlessly for me; I setup a CNAME DNS entry to point to the DDNS entry so that I can use a name that I remember. The CNAME lookup usually works fine, but I ran into a problem this weekend where it was causing problems for a VPN client. So, a quick search turned up that the registrar I use, Namecheap has a DDNS service that is already built into their DNS dashboard. Since I already use their DNS, setting up a DDNS entry took a few seconds.

Now that I had the entry setup, I needed something to update the entry when my IP address changed. Turns out that my EdgeRouter Lite has a built in DDNS client with Namecheap as one of the options. Unfortunately, it wasn't obvious what to put in all the fields. After a little searching, I found a post which had the magic formula. Basically Namecheap generates a password that is used to update the entry.

Here are the instructions for configuring it:

1. Login to the EdgeRouter Lite.
2. Click the Services tab.
3. Click the DNS tab.
4. Select the appropriate interface (in my case, it is eth0 that is my WAN).
5. Select namecheap as the service.
6. Enter the name of the host you setup in your DDNS entry on Namecheap; don't include the domain.
7. For the username, enter your domain.
8. For the password, enter the Dynamic DNS password from Namecheap.
9. Apply the changes and force an update.

It's pretty straightforward, but I wanted to document this so that I wouldn't have to search in the future.

Review: UniFi Switch 16

As my loyal readers have probably been able to tell, I've become a huge fan of Ubiquiti Network's UniFi line of access points and switches. I've previously written about the UniFi Switch 8 which Ubiquiti sent to me for testing. Over the last few months, the switch has continued to perform well and I decided to see about simplifying my network and get a UniFi US-16-150W to replace a Cisco PoE switch and a common place Ethernet switch. While the 16 port switch and the 8 port switch would mean a loss of total ports (with SFP modules, I could get 4 more ports yielding a total of 26 ports; 1 port on each for connecting switches), all my devices would just barely fit.

I didn't need the switch, but moving to more UniFi gear would make management easier on my network. The main features I use on the switch are PoE for my cameras and bandwidth monitoring on each port. They don't justify replacing working equipment, but simplification can't be overstated.

My one hesitation on getting this switch was that it has 2 fans unlike the 8 port version. The ambient temperature in my server closet ranges from about 76° F to 86°F which is a bit warm for equipment. I have 6 PoE cameras attached to the switch (drawing very little power) and I expected the fans to come on repeatedly. To my delight, I've only heard the fans at startup. Granted I'm not home all day, but when I have been home, I haven't heard them. Other than that, the switch performs as well as the 8 port switch.

Moving to the UniFi switch for the rest of my network caused 1 problem that didn't occur in the previous configuration; 2 of my 3 Squeezebox devices weren't connecting to the network. This had me quite concerned, but after some futzing, I set the ports for the devices to be 100 Mbit (instead of auto negotiation) and turned PoE off on those ports. These changes fixed the issue.

There isn't a whole lot to say about the switch except that it is easy to manage, but for most home networks it is overkill.

Pros

• Integrates well into the UniFi line
• Powers all the UniFi access points (802.3af or passive PoE)
• Controller software is easy to use (but utilitarian)
• Rack mountable

Cons

• No combo RJ-45/SFP Ports
• A little pricey
• Fans could make it noisy

Summary

Just like the UniFi 8 port switch, I'm quite happy with this switch. It isn't for everyone or even most home users. However, if you're standardizing on UniFi gear, this switch will fit well into your network. The price is decent for a managed PoE switch, but if you don't have a bunch of PoE devices and don't have a use for a managed switch, I'd keep looking for network gear.

I purchased this switch from Ubiquiti's store and judging by my other UniFi gear, this is going to serve me well.

Review: Fenix UC30 Flashlight

For many years, I've had a fascination with flashlights. Don't ask me why, but I've thought they were cool. Maybe it is because I camped as a Boy Scout and never had great light on the trips. Since I was a scout, the technology in flashlights has changed dramatically and made them much more powerful than they were years ago.

Last year, I did some research on flashlights and decided to buy a Fenix UC35 tactical flashlight. One of the features that stood out to me was USB rechargeable as I didn't want yet another way to charge something. I've been quite happy with the flashlight that I decided to get the smaller version of it, the UC30 this year. This is considered an EDC, everyday carry, flashlight. The flashlight works a bit different from the UC35 in that the UC35 has a tail switch for on/off and the UC30 uses the main switch for on/off and for controlling the light level.

The flashlight gives off a very, very bright light which, combined with a long run time are the main features I need in a flashlight. In my limited testing, the flashlight performs well. I'm considering another one to put in my backpack as I always like to be prepared.

Pros

• Small size
• USB Recharageable
• Multiple brightness levels
• Bright light on highest setting
• Appears durable
• Waterproof (according to the specs)

Cons

• Not the cheapest flashlight
• Unknown durability

Summary

The Fenix UC30 is a compact flashlight that puts out an extremely bright light. I really like that it is recharageable via USB as I have USB rechargers all over the place which makes it quite easy to ensure that it is always charged. Time will tell how well it lasts, but so far, it looks like it is well built and will be very useful.

Review: Plantronics Voyager Focus UC

When I started my new job, I was issued a MacBook Pro, an Acer monitor, an Apple wired keyboard, a cheapo mouse, and a few other things including a USB headset for use with Lync, i.e. Skype for Business. There was also a desk phone next to my computer that I haven't figured out the purpose as Lync lets me make phone calls. I brought in my own trackpad to replace the mouse and I was pretty much set. However, after a few conference calls with the USB headset, I asked my manager for something better; he and others had the Plantronics Voyager Focus UC. He ordered me one and it arrived this week. The headset isn't cheap (list price is $299), but I soon began to understand the high cost.

I quickly setup the headset, plugged in the Bluetooth adapter, installed the Mac software (it's kind of mediocre), reconfigured Lync to use the headset and I was off and running. I also paired it with my phone to play music. After a few hours with the headset (including a conference call), I was hooked. When you take the headset off, the music pauses; when you're on a Lync call, the LED on the Bluetooth adapter turns red; if you try to talk when the headset is on mute, you get an alert on the computer telling you that you are trying to talk and the most important feature is the active noise cancelling (ANC). When I put on the headset and turned on the ANC, all the noise of the office were drowned out and I had some peace and quiet.

For the first few weeks of work, I didn't listen to music and suffered through the noise. Since I got the headset, I've been listening to music almost all the time and have been able to get in the "groove" of my work even forgetting how long I've been sitting (good thing my Apple Watch reminds me to stand up!). In addition to listening to music, the conference calls have been crystal clear. I'm not quite sure what I would need in a headset.

Pros

• Active voice cancellation works well.
• Integrates well with Lync/Skype on the Mac. (Look for the -M version)
• Pairs easily with my iPhone and switches between Mac voice and iPhone music.
• Sound quality is very good for voice calls and music quality isn't bad.
• Controls are easy to access on the sides.
• When you remove the headset, music pauses; when you put them back on, the music continues.

Cons

• The cost is much higher than any headset I've ever used.
• The Mac software is subpar; there is a menubar item, but you have to hide the main window otherwise the menubar item goes away.
• If you set the output from the Mac to be the headset and are playing music, the music stops and plays alerts and then plays the music again. I expected the music to "duck" and then come back, but it is abrupt.
• Extended wearing of the headset causes slight discomfort.
• Sometimes a little static that seems to go away despite being less than a foot from the Bluetooth adapter.

Summary

After only a few days of using the headset, I've been contemplating buying a pair for my home office (at some point I'll be able to work from home sometimes). Even though I could move the headset home, the convenience of having one would be worth the money. Without having used the headset for a few days, there is absolutely no way that I'd plunk down this kind of money on something unseen. However, now that I've had time to use the headset, I should have bought this headset even if I just wanted to use them with my phone. I was on so many calls at my last job, that having these would have been a huge win for me. When I was told to buy a good headset for calls, I bought a cheap Bluetooth headset that crackles; I should have spent company money on something like this!

If you spend a lot of time on calls in an office, I'd definitely recommend this headset. If you're using Lync (Skype for Business), even better.