Plex not getting out through PFSense
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As above - i dont use it externally that often but last time i tried it didnt work. Plex says (in its interface) that its configured for external use but my phone cant make a connection. Inside the network its fine. I dont seems to remember using it since the last update so im not sure if the update has broken it. If anyone else is using plex externally do they have an reccomendation re configured PFSense?
Cheers to all that know more than me!
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@comfy Because both phones/tablets and computers support VPN connections, either OpenVPN (with add on software) or IPSEC (native on most devices, no added software), it is highly recommended that you use a secure connection like this.
In the past, I have set a NAT rule and a WAN firewall rule, using the following parameters (see below). This works too, since the Plex client-to-server connections are cloud based, but is usually not recommended. And, as a matter of fact, I just turned on the rules and tested - it works just fine this way. But again, not as secure...
NAT rule
Interface: WAN
Protocol: TCP/UDP
Source: plex_outside (this is an alias)
Source port range: any to any
Destination: WAN address
Destination port range: 32400 to 32400
Redirect target IP: your plex server address
Redirect target port: Port = Other and enter 32400 in the other boxGive the rule a good description, and make sure you select the dropdown, under the filter rule association, that says create new rule. This step will automatically make a WAN firewall rule for you. That's important.
Here's the list of addresses in the plex_outside alias from above:
Found that list or IP address here, by the way:
https://www.reddit.com/r/PleX/comments/p5wy30/remote_access_ip_addresses_help_with_mikrotik/I think you can also simplify and use the domain plex.tv (all of those addresses above) and it would work. Haven't tested that myself, however.
Now, make sure you are off your local network, and simply open up the Plex app on your phone. As long as you are signed in to the SAME Plex account on both your server and your phone, your content should show on the screen.
Hope that helps!
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@akuma1x Thanks very much....i do have a rule in place but i dont understand the "hosts" part...? what are all of those ip's??
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@comfy said in Plex not getting out through PFSense:
@akuma1x Thanks very much....i do have a rule in place but i dont understand the "hosts" part...? what are all of those ip's??
Do you have a NAT rule in place for port 32400? The whole Plex system runs over that specific port.
https://www.reddit.com/r/PleX/comments/p5wy30/remote_access_ip_addresses_help_with_mikrotik/
The IP addresses are for Plex servers, where I'm assuming they pass user credentials back-and-forth for "sharing" your content with other Plex users. There's a "watch together" thing they recently implemented (during COVID lockdowns), maybe that's run thru one of these servers. There's a share function on every single item in your library, under the little dotted menu (in the server program) where you can share with some other Plex user. Stuff like that...
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@akuma1x Yeah - 32400 is in there.....but whats strange is in the plex menu where you hit the button for "external access" or whatever its called - that works, and you get the tick/green padlock - showing that as far as its concerned (plex) - its working but the phone (when external to the network) says its offline....very odd...
The rule has never changed and its always working...which is why i was wondering if the version change has fowled something up....i could i suppose remove the rule and re add it...?
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@comfy said in Plex not getting out through PFSense:
was wondering if the version change has fowled something up
What version change are you talking about?
Also, check to see if your ISP is maybe blocking port 32400 from connecting thru your WAN.
https://www.whatismyip.com/port-scanner/
In that website tool, enter your external IP address and 32400 for the port. You can find your external IP address if you quick go to google and type in "what's my ipv4 address." It's possible that they shut down access, maybe...
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@akuma1x Sorry - the change/update recently to PFSense itself?
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@comfy Just to give a bit of closure it now works but, ive no idea why..! however ive got some internal bandwidth problems on my main server (a poweredge r730 and my backup server... a 720. Does anyone know of a networking forum where i could possibly get some help.?
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@comfy said in Plex not getting out through PFSense:
poweredge r730
You could try at the Dell Reddit community, or maybe the Enterprise networking community.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Dell/
https://www.reddit.com/r/networking/
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@akuma1x Yeah - posted on the forum but no reply yet.....ive loaded wireshark on but still working out how to use it...!
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