Remote access PLEX

[nigelb]

Hi - first post and hope someone can help me through this jungle!

Router is fine and works well, but I cannot get the plex server properly setup with it.

My setup is Windows10 with a powerplug from PC to router (8800NL). Plex Media Server installed but I cannot get 'Remote Access' to work - message returned is 'Not available outside your network'.

I have tried all suggestions on the web and looked at the Plex forum (don't think they ever answer!!??)

I am on FTTC, UPNP is enabled. I have no 'Static IP lease' set up nor Virtual servers, although I have 'dabbled' with both with no success.

Two laptops in the house can access PLEX on the PC server via wifi. The ultimate aim is to link an Amazon Firestick on my TV to the PC server.

[billion_fan]

Hi - first post and hope someone can help me through this jungle!

Router is fine and works well, but I cannot get the plex server properly setup with it.

My setup is Windows10 with a powerplug from PC to router (8800NL). Plex Media Server installed but I cannot get 'Remote Access' to work - message returned is 'Not available outside your network'.

I have tried all suggestions on the web and looked at the Plex forum (don't think they ever answer!!??)

I am on FTTC, UPNP is enabled. I have no 'Static IP lease' set up nor Virtual servers, although I have 'dabbled' with both with no success.

Two laptops in the house can access PLEX on the PC server via wifi. The ultimate aim is to link an Amazon Firestick on my TV to the PC server.

For internal access, the firestick should work, as you are on the same internal network. (just like your laptops, so your firestick should work in the same way)

For a connection outside (using a different WAN/internet connection when you are out and about) you have to either rely on UPNP (to open the ports automatically) or add the ports manually via the virtual server section, when adding the rules you need to make sure you select the correct interface (pppoe/ipoe for a FTTC connection) example attached

Also try rebooting your router, and your firestick also restarting your plex server (you can check the virtual sever page of the router, to check for a UPNP rules with the IP address of your plex server default port is 32400)

[nigelb]

My, that was quick - thanks!

A little lost - here is what I see there before I start

Billion.jpg

Now further confusion for me(!) I start

Billion2.jpg

The IP comes from the Plex 'Remote Access' page (but will change as it is not a static local IP??) - and is different to what I see in 'Billion.jpg'??
Private 192.168.1.105 : 32400 Public xx.xxx.xx.xx : 32400 Internet

Sorry to be dim, but what goes into boxes 7?

[billion_fan]

Well if your Plex server is on 192.168.1.105, the rule showing for UPNP might be a old rule, most likely the IP changed with a reboot.

1. Setup a static IP lease list outside the DHCP range for your plex server. (Configuration >> LAN >> click on 'Add' in the centre of the page under 'Static IP Lease List', then follow the attached screen shot) then restart your computer that is hosting the plex server to renew the IP (with this rule set your plex server will obtain the same IP everytime it boots up)

2. On the Plex server setup a fixed external port 'Manually Specify a public port' I think its called eg 32400 also disable UPNP (as we will be manually port forwarding)

3. Add a virtual server rule as shown on the attached screen shot

4. Restart your plex server and do a remote connection test.

I hope this helps

[nigelb]

Brilliant! Many thanks again for helping me through. Why Plex could not offer this so simply and clearly I do not know!!

2 more queries if I may:

1) I inadvertently left UPNP active in the process (RTFI!!) but it all seems to work normally EXCEPT when I access Plex via my wireless laptop with EDGE as a browser. Then it cannot see the server on my desktop

If I open Plex on the Laptop in Firefox (my default browser) it sees it. I think I read somwhere that Edge can have problems? Is this because UPNP is still active?

2) Will disabling UPNP affect any other things I might try? IE Will I then always need to set up a virtual server?

[billion_fan]

Brilliant! Many thanks again for helping me through. Why Plex could not offer this so simply and clearly I do not know!!

2 more queries if I may:

1) I inadvertently left UPNP active in the process (RTFI!!) but it all seems to work normally EXCEPT when I access Plex via my wireless laptop with EDGE as a browser. Then it cannot see the server on my desktop

If I open Plex on the Laptop in Firefox (my default browser) it sees it. I think I read somwhere that Edge can have problems? Is this because UPNP is still active?

2) Will disabling UPNP affect any other things I might try? IE Will I then always need to set up a virtual server?

Not sure about the Edge issue, you might want to clear your web browser history/cache to see if that helps. (I don't think this is related to UPNP)

UPNP only opens port automatically for services like Skype, xbox live etc, if you disable UPNP on the plex server (software) you will need the virtual server rule in place for remote/public access

[nigelb]

I think since all is now sweet (thanks to your help) I'll just leave it alone!!

TOPIC CLOSED FOR ME.

[nigelb]

Well, it was working! I very much regret I have to re-open this, since I have come back to PLEX after a long time away (and now with a 'smart TV' to play with!) to find that whilst I can enable my PC PLEX server remote access (RA) using B-F's excellent port-forwarding assistance and a re-boot of the router, any move away from the 'Server' page on PLEX (including a PC restart) appears to cancel the RA which requires another router re-boot to re-instate.

This PC is connected via a Powerplug to the router. I have now installed PLEX on a Win10 1709 laptop which is wirelessly connected to the router, and on that RA remains 'ON' whatever I do. PC has fixed IP while laptop is dynamic. DHCP runs 100 to 230 and PC is on 99.

'SIGH' I just wish I understood it all!

[billion_fan]

Well, it was working! I very much regret I have to re-open this, since I have come back to PLEX after a long time away (and now with a 'smart TV' to play with!) to find that whilst I can enable my PC PLEX server remote access (RA) using B-F's excellent port-forwarding assistance and a re-boot of the router, any move away from the 'Server' page on PLEX (including a PC restart) appears to cancel the RA which requires another router re-boot to re-instate.

This PC is connected via a Powerplug to the router. I have now installed PLEX on a Win10 1709 laptop which is wirelessly connected to the router, and on that RA remains 'ON' whatever I do. PC has fixed IP while laptop is dynamic. DHCP runs 100 to 230 and PC is on 99.

'SIGH' I just wish I understood it all!

Try loading the 2.32e.d14 found on the link below (this firmware resolves issues with port forwarding not working)

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=13252

[mikejphillips99]

My router shows 3.23e, but no further suffixes, so I cannot tell the version. What is the date of d14? Will I need to reset to 'factory' after this update? Having struggled through (with your help) the multicast saga and the port forwarding it is not a prospect I relish! I noted the 'latest' on the forum (52) but bottled out at the thought of a factory reset!