Streaming Video with Ubuntu

[jessepoole]

Hello All,

I recently built my first PfSense box and am having issues with streaming video with my Linux Ubuntu machines; however, my Windows machines stream just fine.  Netflix streams on both Ubuntu and Windows, but I cant stream Xfininty, Fox News, CNN, or any other on-the-go live stream site.  I am positive it has something to do with the firewall rules, but I dont know where to start.  Any direction on this would be greatly appreciated.

J.

[mer]

Windows machines are on the same network segment as the Ubuntu machines?
If you put one of the Ubuntu machines in front of the pfSense do they work?

As for where to start, a diagram of the physical network and screenshots of the rules for all interfaces helps immensely.

[jessepoole]

Hello,

Thanks for the reply.

Apologies for the lack of initial information.  I have two Ubuntu machines.  I also have two routers and a dual port PfSense machine.  One router(1) was turned into a switch and plugged directly into the PfSense machine.  The second router is acting as an access point(2) and is connected to router (1).  However, I have another Ubuntu machine that is connected to the first router (1) which is connected directly to the PfSense box.  Here is a diagram (see attached)

Thank you for the help.
Jesse

[jessepoole]

I just realized I dont have snapshot of my rules.  I will post them when I get home.

[mer]

Unless you have rules that specifically target the Ubuntu machines, it's not pfSense.

Assuming you do not have rules that target the Ubuntu machines:
Do you have UFW enabled on Ubuntu?  If so, try disabling that.
Another thing is a packet capture on the Ubutunu machines while you are streaming.  Make sure you see it on a Windows client, then start capture on Ubuntu.  That would let you verify packets are at least hitting the interface.

[jessepoole]

Hello Mer,

Thanks again for the help.  UFW is not installed on either Ubuntu machine, so I dont believe it is that.  Also, I dont think I mentioned this in my original post - the Ubuntu machines did stream video with my standard Linksys router before I switched to Pfsense, in case that makes any difference.

I am unsure of the process in which you are referring to when you talk about "packet capture on the Ubuntu macnines while you are streaming."  I will do some research, but any additional info you are willing to provide would be appreciated.  Lastly, here is a screenshot of the rules I currently have.

Jesse


[jessepoole]

And here are the LAN rules.


[mer]

"packet capture"  means "run wireshark".  basically, On a windows client stream the video that does not work to Ubuntu.  That proves that you have data getting into your network.  On Ubuntu, try and stream from the same source that is working on Windows.  You say it won't work, so if you then run wireshark on the Ubuntu machine you can see if the packets are actually getting to your Ubuntu machine.  If not, then look "upstream".

Your rules are pretty simple, should not be affecting anything.  If you plug one of the Ubuntu machines directly into pfSense, where your first router/switch is, does the streaming then work?  I'm assuming that the router/switches in your picture are something like a Linksys WRT54G, that was the one replace by the pfSense box?  It could be configuration on that.  Are you doing any kind of traffic shaping or extra packages on the pfSense box?  Do you have access to an "old fashioned" switch?  If so, I'd try replacing your first router/switch with it just to eliminate something there.  If not and it is a Linksys, you may want to double check the config on it and set it up to just be a switch, no NAT, nothing.

[Cyberloard]

The services that don't stream are they flash based,if so that may be the issue since flash can be iffy on Linux at times.

[jessepoole]

Hello,

I am unsure if the video streaming is Flash or not, but I dont think that is the issue as I was able to stream via Ubuntu prior to switching routers, so I think it is a firewall issue at the client or pfsense level.

I plugged in one of my Ubuntu machines directly into the Pfsense router as suggested with no luck.  I also plugged in an old standard D-link router with no luck, which leads me to believe it is a recent Ubuntu update that is causing the problem.  I will keep digging.

[Guest]

Could it perhaps be that the Ubuntu internal firewall is blocking something?