Mac: run server without logging in

Channels DVR Server
#1

I just got a new Mac mini and installed the Channels server (moving from Windows 10 version). I noticed that the Mac Channels server does not start unless I log in, which is not desired in case of a power failure. With Windows 10 this was not a problem.

I thought that installing the server as a service (per instruction on Channels website) would solve this, but it is still not working.

I'd prefer not to have a non-password-protected machine that auto logs in upon system start. Is there a way to have the Channels server start without logging in? I've searched these forums and can't seem to find a straight answer to this question.

#2

@MauiPton

You might find some tips here:

mac mini tips wanted

#3

Which part is not working?

Are you able to access the DVR web UI when not logged in? Via http://x.x.x.x:8089 using the IP of your Mac?

#4

No, I'm not able to access http://x.x.x.x:8089 from another network computer until I go to the Mac and log in. After I log in, then the server starts and I can access the DVR from another machine.

Is installing the server as a background service supposed to solve that?

#5

Yes if you're running as a background service, you would expect it to be running an accessible.

Do you have FDE enabled? If so, the system probably hasn't even booted yet and still needs a password to boot up.

#6

Oh ok, yes I have FileVault enabled (guessing that’s what you mean by FDE). I will try disabling that and see if it works after some recordings finish tonight.

#7

Well, I tried disabling FileVault and the Channels server still doesn't start until I type the password and finish logging in.

Any other ideas without turning on automatic system log-in?

#8

When I go to the terminal and type
launchctl list
it shows channels as below:
524 1 com.getchannels.dvr

I read that status code 1 means not enough privileges. When I look at com.getchannels.dvr.plist in /Library/LaunchDaemons, all of the paths listed in there for working directory, output path, error path, and arguments path are in my Users/myusername directory. Is this causing this issue that those files are in myusername directory?

#9

What about

launchctl list com.getchannels.dvr

#10

That returns the same thing that my command above returned.

To get around this issue I just made another "DVR" user on the Mac (different from my administrator user) that is set to auto-login. I then reinstalled Channels on that DVR user. So if the Mac loses power it automatically boots into the second user and starts the Channels server.

Not ideal as I would like to use the Mac as a workstation to access my iCloud files and such on the administrator profile while also running the server, but until someone figures this out, I guess that's the way I'll run the server.