Xip.io: How to Create a Wildcard DNS for Any IP Address

Xip.io is a domain that provides wildcard DNS for any IP address. With its simple syntax, you can turn your domain and subdomains from HTTP to HTTPS, and create different wildcard aliases. Note that it has some limitations, such as IPv6 compatibility.

Xip.io is a free service from Basecamp, which is why you can use it easily on any device. One of its most common uses is generating an SSL certificate on a server hosting multiple sites. This way, you can apply the HTTPS protocol to an IP address (naked IP).

Xip.io: Create Wildcard DNS for Any IP Address — Xip.io

How to create free wildcard DNS for any IP address using Xip.io?

The platform doesn't require registration. Simply create a wildcard DNS on your main IP by creating a "virtual host" that you can later use in your programs and projects.

Create a domain

To create a new wildcard domain, you only need an IP address to access the Xip.io domain. Or, use your local connection IP if you're developing on localhost.

Example hosting access

http://10.0.0.1.xip.io

Access your local IP

For example, on a Mac, you'll go to "System Preferences", "Network", and then copy the IP address (e.g., 188.124.0.4). Windows users will go to the command prompt and type "ipconfig", then copy the IPv4 address, and finally you can insert any subdomain, prefix, and add ".xip.io" at the end of the address to get, for example:

188.124.0.4.xip.io will resolve to 188.124.0.4
www.188.124.0.4.xip.io will resolve to 188.124.0.4
mysite.188.124.0.4.xip.io will resolve to 188.124.0.4
foo.bar.188.124.0.4.xip.io will resolve to 188.124.0.4

Check how to resolve DNS

You can do this with any DNS verification program. Or, if you're on Windows (localhost), you can use "Windows NS Search". To do so, type "nslookup" in the "Run" bar and enter any wildcard domain you've created (http://neoteo.188.124.0.4.xip.io). Observe the response.

At the bottom of the CMD window you'll see the response. Now you can create different wildcard domains around any IP address, achieving the concept of "virtual hosts". Besides granting an HTTPS certificate to your entire domain and subdomains, you'll also solve the problem of users finding your domain even if they type the address with two "W"s (ww.dominio.com), or without the triple "W"s (dominio.com); users will always be directed to your web page.