Understanding Port Forwarding with Channels DVR and remote viewing

Channels DVR Server
#1

I recently posted on here about remote access and Channels DVR using my 4K Firestick. I am going to test using my Firestick "away" from home again this weekend. Meanwhile, I've gone into my Asus RT-AC3100 router settings and I "think" I have it set up correctly for port forwarding Channels DVR, but 100 percent sure until I can try to test again it when away from home.

Here's my question, since Channels has its own "discovery" setting for remote viewing, is that setting in Channels "separate and distinct" from the router settings? In other words, if I have Channels DVR set to "automatic" discovery of my NAS (where Channels DVR is installed) in my home, does that override anything port forwarding in the router settings that I have manually changed provided I keep Channels DVR on "automatic" discovery for remote viewing away from home on a Firestick? "Or" if the "automatic" discovery feature and "manual" in router settings are separate and distinct from one another, does that just mean that I can "cross my fingers" when away from home again with my FIrestick and hope that one of those two methods will work....simply by me toggling between automatic and manual on the Firestick?

Just trying to get a better understanding of how this port forwarding stuff works. I had the impression (before) that I could simply setup Channels DVR for automatic discovery. Then while at a remote location, the preconfigured Firestick would simply be "plug and play" ready for viewing. But I had a few weird things happen when I tried it earlier in the week (away from home) including one of my HDHR tuners not showing up at all, and wi-fi not working at all at remote location.

This earlier experience prompted me to go into my router settings and manually put the router on port forward for 192.168.1.2:8089, even though my Channels DVR already indicates it is port forwarding 8089. I feel like a dummy with port forwarding; but I know it can't be too difficult, particularly since I knew (last year) enough to ensure my Synology NAS (where Channels is installed) was placed on a fixed IP address on my home network.

Thanks for any replies. Again, just trying to get a better understanding of how this stuff works for remote viewing. I've been with Channels since last year, but I've never tried remote viewing with my 4K Firestick before this week. So it's all new to me. But, I think it can be a nice feature when away from home.

#2

I tried to get this working so my daughter could watch from her dorm room, but I gave up. I ended up creating a VPN server on my firewall and installing an OpenVPN client on her laptop and Android box. Works perfectly.

#3

Either you can set the dvr to automatic and let it create the port forward rule on your router automatically, or you can set it to manual and add the rule to your router yourself. If you have already added it to your router manually, set the dvr to manual.

Port forwarding is all or nothing. If it's not setup correctly, then the app won't work at all. If it's setup correctly, then portchecker.co will show 8089 listed as open and the app will be able to connect and show your tuners and content.

If you're able to connect but some things aren't working, that's not related to port forwarding. In that case you need to submit diagnostics as previously requested.

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#4

Thanks for your reply. I went into Channels DVR and set it to manual. I then checked portchecker.co as per your feedback. The good news is port 8089 is listed as open. So I guess that gives me assurances that the Firestick should work fine away from home.

Once I have a chance to check the Firestick (again) away from home, I'll submit diagnostics (as you said), if it still does not work for any reason. Hopefully, it will....based on the portchecker.co showing port 8089 open "and" the fact that my Firestick is already preconfigured and working great from the house.

Because (as you said) remote access is "all or nothing", it was strange that my previously test (using remote access) only partly worked (no wi-fi and only one of my two HDHR tuners showing). At any rate, I'll post diagnostics if I experience any further issues - once I have an opportunity to try the Firestick remotely again.

Please post if any other feedback and thanks again for the reply.

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#5

You got it.

If you use Channels on your phone, that's another way to test. Switch to LTE and try the app to make sure it can connect and stream etc

#6

I am at home today and just followed your instructions and turned off the wi-fi on my home network on my iPhone to force the phone to switch to LTE. It connected; and it is streaming all channels in my guide. This is additional good news for using the Firestick remotely - hopefully with no issues at all :slight_smile: Thanks.

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#7

Just a quick update here. Thanks Aman for the help. I got remote Channels DVR working through my 4K Firestick working over the weekend without problems.

But since I still feel (somewhat like a dummy) with remote access, just a point of clarification). When using the settings directly in the router (as I ultimately ended up doing), does that "override" anything that I may have (previously) done on my Synology NAS?

You see, I had first went into Synology NAS Control Panel, first using 1) quick connect and then 2) went back in and used external access (via the Control Panel in Synology). I Clicked on router configuration (with External Access via Control Panel); and enabled local ports 5000 and 80 (router ports 5000 and 54819) via TCP. And within the router configuration tab, I clicked on test connection and it showed connection test was “okay”

But because I only half way understood what I was doing via Control Panel on the Synology NAS, I ultimately went directly into my Asus Router settings and manually set port forwarding for 192.168.1.2 (which is my internal static IP address for my Synology NAS), and manually set port forwarding (under the WAN settings) for Port: 8089, which of course is Channels DVR.

It's works now (remotely) on the Firestick, so I am not trouble shooting anything. But I am just curious if manually reconfiguring settings in the router makes any settings (set up on a Synology NAS) moot? I would "assume" that is the case. In other words, I assume the Router has the final say (so to speak), meaning that any settings made in a router will control port forwarding no matter what a user previously did in a Synology NAS?

I must say - when not using "automatic" detection for remote viewing in Channels DVR, it "seems" like simply going into router settings (for "manual" setup) is more straight forward versus using the features on a Synology NAS, especially when "quick access" (on Synology NAS) doesn't seem to entirely work and when "External Access" in Control Panel of Synology is used. So again, just going directly through my router settings (under the WAN access and Port Forwarding) seems more simple versus "external access" via control panel in Synology. And as I say, I "assume" the final steps I took on my router "override" anything else previously done directly on the Synology NAS, as it relates to port forwarding.

On an entirely different note, Channels DVR rocks! I will buy into lifetime version if/when that becomes an option.

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#8

The remote access settings in the Synology interface have nothing to do with Channels and are not required for the DVR.

I guess that is for accessing the NAS itself remotely which is something you might want.

#9

I personally don’t recommend opening the NAS(of any vendor) to the internet. A vpn is a better solution. If one does do that, I recommend that you keep it updated.

Here is a link to the history of known vulnerabilities from synology:
https://www.cvedetails.com/vendor/11138/Synology.html

Although it doesn’t show 2020 yet, you get the idea that it’s not getting better yet.

#10

That's good to know about the Synology NAS. As you say, for accessing the NAS itself remotely. For me, I've got nothing else on the NAS except Channels. Thanks for clearing that up.

#11

Yes, I have the Synology updated. I also took measures (before opening Channels DVR for remote) to wipe the NAS clean of any personal data. So there is nothing running on my NAS except Channels DVR.

Separately, I have a PC on my home network. But I do not allow my PC to share any files or folders with any other device on my home network. I also don't leave my PC running when I am not using it. Also, my router is "only" opened up to the static IP address and port that I use for Channels DVR on the Synology NAS.

So I am trying to be very cautious about internet security. The last thing any of us want is to get hacked and so using good judgement is always required.

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