Trouble getting remote connection on BI>

T

Tacoman

Getting the hang of it
Oct 5, 2015
102
32
Hi
I just replaced two cameras on a three camera system. BlueIris version 6.1.3.10x64. Everything seems to be working except connecting remotely through the BI android app. Did not have a huge problem before replacing the cameras. I am using Remote Connection Wizard in the BI suite. It is fine until I get to the "Attempt to use UPnP to add rule" stage. It was always a little problematical. I generally had to try a couple of refreshes on the Remote external Wan Internet address before it would get a connection to Blue Iris. The connection has always been somewhat temperamental. Now nothing. I did set the UPnP switch to ON my cable modem/router/firewall. I am using port 81. Has anyone seen step by step instructions on how to get it to get around the issue without using UPnP.

I was thinking of using an NGROK tunnel as a last resort. Has any seen step by step instructions (ie... idiot proof) for setting up remote access using an NGROK tunnel. I scanned the help files and it looks daunting for someone, like me, without a much of networking experience.

Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
John
 
UPnP failing after a camera swap is pretty common, and the new cameras are usually not the cause. The wizard is just failing to create the forward on the modem.

Skip UPnP and set the forward by hand:

1. On the BI PC run ipconfig and note the IPv4 address (like 192.168.x.x).
2. In the modem/router, make a DHCP reservation so that address stays on the BI PC.
3. Add a manual port forward: external TCP 81 to that LAN IP, internal port 81. Then turn UPnP off so the modem stops rewriting rules.
4. In BI Settings > Web server, confirm local port 81, refresh the WAN address, and re-run the Remote Access Wizard. The UPnP step can still show red; what matters is the later reachability checks.
5. Test from the Android app on mobile data (WiFi off). Also confirm Windows Firewall allows inbound TCP 81 for BlueIris.exe.

If the cable box is modem+router and you also have another router behind it, you may be in double NAT. The forward has to be on the device that holds the public IP, or put the cable box in bridge mode.

If you do open port 81, use a strong unique BI password and keep BI updated. A VPN into the LAN is safer than exposing BI to the internet, but manual forward is the direct fix for what the wizard is choking on.

NGROK last resort: install ngrok on the BI PC and run ngrok http 81, then use the https URL it prints in the browser or app. Free URLs change every time ngrok restarts unless you reserve a domain, so it is awkward for daily phone use. Try the manual forward first.
 
Odd... simply replacing cameras should not have affected your remote access abilities.

Regardless, port-forwarding is not recommended. Setting up a VPN connection IN to your router is srongly encouraged. This should provide some insight:

nayr

Thread 'VPN Primer for Noobs'

The internet is a force of nature; no video surveillance system made was designed to be exposed to those forces.. NEVER FORWARD PORTS to your NVR or Cameras, doing such things not only exposes you to severe security problems, but everyone else on the internet too.. Hackers dont want your video feeds, they want an always on linux box with decent internet connectivity that can be used to attack targets on the internet.. they want to turn your camera into a weapon of mass destruction.

What is a VPN? Its a Virtual Private Network, it provides you with full access to your...
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Assuming your WAN IP from your ISP is public (exposed to Internet) but is it static or is it dynamic?
 
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