Do I need a fixed IP to use subsonic?

[richardf]

Getting the standard connection error when I try to connect.

Status: grandebleu78.subsonic.org is registered, but could not connect to it. (ConnectTimeoutException)

I'm using the default ports 4040 and this ok (according to the UI)

Status: Successfully forwarding port 4040.

Any thoughts or advice on what to check?

(running on Ubuntu if that's of interest)

cheers,
- Richard

[GJ51]

Most problems are due to improper setup on the router. Setting a fixed internal ip address for the server and proper port forwarding rules on the router are essential for long term stability.

Never use port 80 or 443 - ISP's often use or block them and these are also the default ports on WHS for the remote login page. 8080,8081, work fine. 808X always works. I've seen others use different port numbers that have caused install failures.

READ: http://monroeworld.com/android/subsonic/ This is the Windows tutorial but most of the concepts apply to any setup. Specific setup instructions for other Operating Systems are available in the Tutorials section. http://forum.subsonic.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=6 and on the Subsonic website at http://www.subsonic.org/pages/installation.jsp

In Subsonic Settings/Network - UNCHECK " Automatically configure your router to allow incoming connections to Subsonic (using UPnP or NAT-PMP port forwarding)." make sure to hit the SAVE button, you may have to scroll down to see it depending on your screen size. UPnP or Plug & Pray works sometimes, but not very often and you're better off learning what's going on anyway. You're dipping your toe into the network mgmt. thing anyway, might as well learn what's going on as home networks don't get simpler as time goes on. As your network gets more complex, you're going to have to learn this stuff! No time like the present.

Manually assign a fixed intenal IP and static route to your server at the upper end of the address range of the router, out of the way of DHCP, e.g. 192.168.1.254

Set up your router manually. uPNP might work, but most often it doesn't. Learing how to do it will be a skill you'll love having as your network grows.

Check the Subsonic Control Panel to make sure it's using the right port you're going to use. I typically use 8080 - 440, 8081 - 441, etc.

Set up port forwarding in your router to direct traffic on the selected port to your server. Consult your router documentation to do this, they are all a bit different.

Learn your external IP address assigned by your ISP. Go to http://www.canyouseeme.org/ enter your SS port number and click the Check box to be sure the Subsonic port is open.

Test your setup by entering your external IP:port# to see if it connects. e.g. http://98.117.185.5:8084/ If it works, you're good to go.

[alphawave7]

Gary's post distilled: you need a fixed lan IP for your server. You need a port opened (manually is best) on your router. Test that port to verify it works using canyouseeme.org.

[davidthomp84]

yes you do need a static IP in order for server to be available at all times. By default routers will assign IP's dynamically which means that once you restart your computer your router could assign a different IP from before automatically. I haven't done this in unbuntu but setting a static IP is essential in making sure u can always hit your server. Without a static IP hitting your server would be like a moving target because ur IP can change. Also setting Port Forwarding would be useless without a static IP.

In windows you actually can change ur Ip to static, without going into the router settings. Under change adapter settings. Right-click Local Area connection and go to properties under there u can see that automatically assign. Click that off a manually set it up. All information for settings can be found under IP config /all in command prompt. Try to set your static IP to a couple digits off of your default gateway, which if you didn't know is the IP of your router. Example:

default gateway: 192.168.1.1
Static IP should be set to something like: 192.168.1.158

I know settings are different in ubuntu but i'm sure you can figure it out.

Hope this helps

[richardf]

Thanks for all the replies guys! Really appreciate the detailed responses. Correct, it is time to sort out my home network. But if I've learned anything it's to address one particular thing at a time.

Since I've just moved to Ubuntu I'm cautious of messing around with the setup too much until I've found my feet.

Anyway, ignoring my cautious nature. Will the fact that I'm using an Apple BaseStation as a wireless AP have any impact on the advice you give?

Cheers,
Richard