Content server help please. Warning! Idiot posting!

[pufff]

I am trying to set up the Calibre server so that my family and I can access my (large) collection of ebooks from our homes at all corners of the UK. It works beautifully on my home wi-fi connection, but I'm struggling with the web server. I'm using Megabooks on my iphone for testing. I obtained my IP address by googling "my ip addess" and adding ":8080" after it. The error message is "Error Adding Catalog" and "Cannot connect with catalog" so it is connecting with something right? The catalogue will be very big. Is that a problem? Thanks! Sorry for asking questions which I'm sure I should be able to sort out myself!

[Cdesja5]

Why don't you put your collection in a dropbox folder and then invite them to share that folder? They can then add the books to Calibre themselves on their own computers.
How big is your big? If the person uses your link to install Dropbox on their own computer with a new account, they will have 2.5 gb which is at least enough for around 2,500-3,000 epubs (without too many illustrations).
If you really, really want to use the server, this thread discusses issues/how to set it up:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...content+server

[pufff]

My library is bigger than that unfortunately

[speakingtohe]

Why not create a small library and work with that in initial testing. Don't think size is the problem, but eliminating it as a factor can't hurt.

Helen

[pufff]

Thanks. I created a 1 book library and it still didn't work so I now know size is not the issue. Does the fact that the wireless access to the catalogue works well mean anything? The "Test Server" button worked also.

[itimpi]

I think you have said that you can access your library from other devices connected to your home network? As I understand it you are talking about accessing your library from outside your home network via the public internet? On that basis:

• What exactly have you done to ensure that the external internet facing IP address of your home network is known?
• What have you done in terms of port forwarding from the external network to the PC/Mac running Calibre server?

If neither of those questions means anything to you (yet anyway!) then it gives a good idea of what you are going to need to do to get access from the internet.

[pufff]

I obtained my IP address by googling "My IP address" and used that followed by :8080 which is the sever port indicated under "preferences" and "Sharing over the Internet" in Calibre.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by pufff

I obtained my IP address by googling "My IP address" and used that followed by :8080 which is the sever port indicated under "preferences" and "Sharing over the Internet" in Calibre.

You have a big SAFE router, between the world and your home PC blocking port 8080 (and all the others)

You need to configure Port forwarding, reserved or static ip for your content server PC (so it never changes).

You need to consult the Routers help (after careful consideration of the perils of opening any pin-hole in a firewall) to configure.

[twobob]

Also depending on your OS you may have to allow access to that port from external sources. Is this Windows / Linux or some other flavour.

In essence think of the route that data must take APP -> OS - > ROUTER -> YOUR ISP

Or for your punters: Their APP -> Their OS -> Their ROUTER -> Their ISP -> CLOUDS -> Your ISP -> YOUR ROUTER -> YOUR OS -> YOUR LIBRARY.

Follow the route, if one section fails the entire thing fails.

Hope that helps.It's generic but relevant.

[itimpi]

Originally Posted by pufff

I obtained my IP address by googling "My IP address" and used that followed by :8080 which is the sever port indicated under "preferences" and "Sharing over the Internet" in Calibre.

Just a warning - for most people the external IP address is subject to change. How frequently depends on the type of connection you have to your ISP (e.g. Cable, ADSL). There are services available that can handle this change in a transparent way. I use dyndns.org but there are others around.