Remote Tailscale issues

#1

I was with Virgin media (UK ISP) where I got my own IP address which I tracked using DuckDns. I also had my TV services with them. Having decided to ditch them, in preparation I bought an HDHomeRun Quattro etc to get my TV and installed everything on an SSD on a Pi4 I had lying around. It was all working fine. I was using Tailscale for other stuff quite successfully (also Wireguard - I'm a fairly technical user).

Now I am with a provider where I am behind a CGNAT address. I cannot for the life of me now reach Channels remotely. I have read a number of forum posts and spent many hours going round in circles with AI and it feels like I've tried everything, twice at least!!

The bottom line is

  • I can connect to Channels successfully when on WiFi using the old IP address (no surprise there really)
  • When not on WiFi my Pi and my phone are both connected and live on Tailscale
  • I can access other stuff on my LAN through Tailscale
  • I had to totally rebuild my Pi this week but Channels works OK locally
  • I am using the At Home option with all the different Tailscale IPs and the original IP)
  • I get the Welcome screen asking me to enter the IP address of my DVR server when trying to access remotely
  • No matter what combination of IP, with or without port, whether using or not using the Tailscale option in Channels (and its address) I get the error "A Channels DVR server was not found at address [whichever one I'm using]"
  • None of the machines are expired in Tailscale

I suppose one possibly relevant fact is that I restored the old Channels installation rather than full new so while I can't remember exactly what I did now, the disk config is different and so is the IP config. I've changed what I can see though.

I've run out of ideas (and patience with AI!!) so would appreciate any tips from here please.

This is more than a bit stressy as I am trying to convince my partner that this is a robust replacement for TiVo, which we've had since it was Thompson Series 1, and it isn't looking very good at the moment!!!

#2

Try going to settings, general, basic setup and toggle server enabled off. Then toggle it back on and check a remote Tailscale connection.

If that doesn’t work disable the built in channels dvr Tailscale setting and install Tailscale natively on the pi 4 os.

I’m not sure if you are aware but the Raspberry Pi is no longer supported as a server using the channels image. You don’t mention if you are using that image.

#3

Try running a tailscale vm with exit node enabled. The tailscale integration with CDVR is not as relaible. Once setup you will connect to the CDVR server via its actual ip addr.

#4

You mean a subnet router enabled don't you?

#5

Thanks for these updates which I wil ttry out.

The first, toggling server off/on - it failed to come on again with " Error: no write permissions on dvr directory: open /mnt/channels/.permcheck: permission denied"

I think I'm probably running into some problems because I imported back the previous config (intending to preserve history and recordings) but the underlying hardware/architecture is different ( - amongst all this the Pi4 developed a fault where it wouldn't boot from the USB(SSD) so it's now running on the SD card and uses my NAS as the file store, not the previously attached SSDs. I have a new Pi on order so I guess maybe I ought to hold back until I can just put it all back as it was, rather than meddling.

Although I can't resist a good meddle so will likely ignore my own instinct!!

So the toggling the server enabled threw up an interesting on. Turning it back on it gave "Error: no write permissions on dvr directory: open /mnt/channels/.permcheck: permission denied" so I went through ownership and permissions on the NAS and that now seems corrected. I've rebooted the Pi and tried with Tailscale On and Off but it still doesn't work. That seemed a really promising direction to be going in.

Re running a Tailscale VM - can you clarify? I don't use virtual machines but I could easily set up tailscale on a different machine if that would suffice? Likewise not clear what's meant by subnet router.

I really appreciate the guidance so far, thanks!

#6

Thanks for these updates

The first, toggling server off/on - it failed to come on again with " Error: no write permissions on dvr directory: open /mnt/channels/.permcheck: permission denied"

I think I'm probably running into some problem because I imported back the previous config (intending to preserve history and recordings) but the underlying hardware/architecture is different ( - due to the Pi4 developing a fault where it wouldn't boot from the USB(SSD) so it's now built on the SD card and uses my NAS as the file store, not the previously attached SSD). I have a new Pi on order so I guess maybe I ought to hold back until I can just put it all back as it was, rather than meddling.

Although I can't resist a good meddle so will likely ignore my own instinct!!

#7

The new Pi is due tomorrow. Having been meddling today I decided to spend the £8 a month for a static IP address, at least for the short term while I get everything going and the new Pi set up.

And so now I'm back on familiar territory it is now working. I was missing the external port from my port forwarding but I didn't think that came into play with Tailscale.

Anyway thanks for your help, certainly learnt some bits for which I'm grateful. I'll be back if I have any further issues!