Setting up server for WWW access.

Saxguy · 05-21-2015, 11:33 PM

I have a dynamic IP address, but want to run the Calibre server. How do I do this, as don’t I have to put my IP in the settings ie the URL? Also, not sure about this either, as when I asked my ISP what my Hostname was, they told me they hadn’t heard of this, and if I wanted to run a server, I would need to pay for a new Domain, business rates etc etc….
Im a little confused to say the least.

Ive had the server running successfully on my home network, but buggered if i can see how to access it from the web!

eschwartz · 05-22-2015, 12:51 AM

Simply run it as you normally do. The only trick is you will need to set something up so you can access your computer's IP address from outside.

What you probably want is a dynamic dns service, there are a variety of them available, free and paid, for example no-ip.com, dyndns, duckdns, etc.

Saxguy · 05-22-2015, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Simply run it as you normally do. The only trick is you will need to set something up so you can access your computer's IP address from outside.

What you probably want is a dynamic dns service, there are a variety of them available, free and paid, for example no-ip.com, dyndns, duckdns, etc.

Okay... will be looking into that now
thanks.

Saxguy · 05-22-2015, 02:18 AM

... okay, I have the ducks domain website, but I haven't got an inkling of what to actually do....

Saxguy · 05-22-2015, 02:37 AM

... well, tried making up a name, ie mypclibrary, and it has been accepted, so I typed the full http address into the network settings in calibre, and presses test after restarting server.... nothing happened, Tried accessing that address on MAC and PC, just says cant connect to the server.... any idea eschwartz?

Saxguy · 05-22-2015, 02:41 AM

address being http://mypclibrary.duckdns.org:****

somehow i feel something is missing.

chaley · 05-22-2015, 03:24 AM

You must tell duckdns what your current external IP address is. Best would be that your home router contains a client that does this automatically. Next best is to run a client on a machine on the home network, probably the machine running your content server, that watches for an IP change and notifies duckdns.

You must also setup port forwarding on your home router so that the internet can see your calibre server. Exactly how you do that depends on your router. It is best that the machine running the content server have a fixed IP address on your home network.

chaley · 05-22-2015, 03:27 AM

Also, you will not be able to use that URL inside your home network. Almost no home routers have "loop back" permitting an external IP address to loop out onto the internet then come back through the router to the calibre server.

You do not put that URL anywhere in calibre.

Saxguy · 05-22-2015, 04:06 AM

Chaley...

I think ducks has picked up my current IP. Not sure how to watch for IP change?
I have looked at port forwarding, and not sure how to do this. I’m pretty sure the PC has a fixed IP. But, is that when you make a DHCP reservation using MAC address?
If I cant use the URL inside the home network, is there any way of testing it without resorting to going back and forth …. I mean whilst on the home network. ?

chaley · 05-22-2015, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saxguy

I think ducks has picked up my current IP. Not sure how to watch for IP change?

This is done by the client. See https://duckdns.org/install.jsp

Quote:

I have looked at port forwarding, and not sure how to do this.

This is done in your home router. Exactly how this is done depends on your router, but it is probably under some section talking about firewall rules. Typically you enter the external port to monitor, the IP address of the computer to receive packets (the computer running calibre) and the port number of the program on the receiving computer (the content server port). There is probably a support forum for your router if you can't figure it out from the manual.

Quote:

I’m pretty sure the PC has a fixed IP. But, is that when you make a DHCP reservation using MAC address?

A DHCP reservation gives you the equivalent of a fixed IP address.

Quote:

If I cant use the URL inside the home network, is there any way of testing it without resorting to going back and forth …. I mean whilst on the home network. ?

You can test it only from outside your home network. Probably the easiest way to do this is to use a phone with a wireless data plan, turning off its WiFi so it is forced to connect through your phone's provider.

HarryT · 05-22-2015, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaley

Also, you will not be able to use that URL inside your home network.

You could put it in your "hosts" file (on a PC, at least).

chaley · 05-22-2015, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

You could put it in your "hosts" file (on a PC, at least).

Unfortunately that wouldn't test anything useful. Because it would map the machine name to the local IP address it would work even if the router isn't doing port forwarding or if duckdns has the wrong IP.

HarryT · 05-22-2015, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaley

Unfortunately that wouldn't test anything useful. Because it would map the machine name to the local IP address it would work even if the router isn't doing port forwarding or if duckdns has the wrong IP.

Oh I completely agree that it wouldn't be testing anything at all. I was simply suggesting it as a method of being able to use the same URL both at home and away.

darryl · 05-22-2015, 06:55 AM

I am going to suggest that you go back to the basics. Make sure the content server is running. Then try to access it from another machine on your home network by using the ip address and the port number, for example http://192.168.0.11:8080. You must, of course, substitute the ip address of the machine running Calibre and the actual port number if you have changed the default. Does this work?

Once we know it is working internally, we can then setup port forwarding. What is the brand and model of your modem/router?

Saxguy · 05-22-2015, 04:02 PM

Chaley, Darryl, Harry & eschwartz... thank you for your help.
Just back at my comp now, 7.30 Sat morning here. I will try as much as I can re all the info you have given me.
Darryl, yes as far as basics, i have had my content server running for a good few weeks now. I can see my library and download etc onto my KF okay. Yesterday, changed the port setting, and that works (thought it best for security, ie not so obvious as default if going 'live').

Oh, my router is D-link 2730B

Also, one of the things concerning me, and one reason I have hesitated in trying to set up my router with port forwarding, is that I dont want to somehow leave an open gate to hackers, and I am not confident enough to be sure about that myself. This is all new ground to me, but I am enjoying learning new skills. Got a real kick out of getting the content server up and running a while back.

I'll be checking back here periodically, as i am in the midst or renovation work at present.

Thanks again, and I really appreciate all your help. This is a great forum, great community.

05-21-2015, 11:33 PM	#1
Saxguy Connoisseur Posts: 58 Karma: 5540 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Zealand Device: K-3, Kindle Fire HDX 7" 2013	Setting up server for WWW access. I have a dynamic IP address, but want to run the Calibre server. How do I do this, as don’t I have to put my IP in the settings ie the URL? Also, not sure about this either, as when I asked my ISP what my Hostname was, they told me they hadn’t heard of this, and if I wanted to run a server, I would need to pay for a new Domain, business rates etc etc…. Im a little confused to say the least. Ive had the server running successfully on my home network, but buggered if i can see how to access it from the web!

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05-22-2015, 12:51 AM	#2
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,422 Karma: 85397180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	Simply run it as you normally do. The only trick is you will need to set something up so you can access your computer's IP address from outside. What you probably want is a dynamic dns service, there are a variety of them available, free and paid, for example no-ip.com, dyndns, duckdns, etc.

05-22-2015, 02:18 AM	#4
Saxguy Connoisseur Posts: 58 Karma: 5540 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Zealand Device: K-3, Kindle Fire HDX 7" 2013	... okay, I have the ducks domain website, but I haven't got an inkling of what to actually do....

05-22-2015, 02:37 AM	#5
Saxguy Connoisseur Posts: 58 Karma: 5540 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Zealand Device: K-3, Kindle Fire HDX 7" 2013	... well, tried making up a name, ie mypclibrary, and it has been accepted, so I typed the full http address into the network settings in calibre, and presses test after restarting server.... nothing happened, Tried accessing that address on MAC and PC, just says cant connect to the server.... any idea eschwartz?

05-22-2015, 02:41 AM	#6
Saxguy Connoisseur Posts: 58 Karma: 5540 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Zealand Device: K-3, Kindle Fire HDX 7" 2013	address being http://mypclibrary.duckdns.org:**** somehow i feel something is missing.

05-22-2015, 03:24 AM	#7
chaley Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,741 Karma: 6997045 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Notts, England Device: Kobo Libra 2	You must tell duckdns what your current external IP address is. Best would be that your home router contains a client that does this automatically. Next best is to run a client on a machine on the home network, probably the machine running your content server, that watches for an IP change and notifies duckdns. You must also setup port forwarding on your home router so that the internet can see your calibre server. Exactly how you do that depends on your router. It is best that the machine running the content server have a fixed IP address on your home network.

05-22-2015, 03:27 AM	#8
chaley Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,741 Karma: 6997045 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Notts, England Device: Kobo Libra 2	Also, you will not be able to use that URL inside your home network. Almost no home routers have "loop back" permitting an external IP address to loop out onto the internet then come back through the router to the calibre server. You do not put that URL anywhere in calibre.

05-22-2015, 04:06 AM	#9
Saxguy Connoisseur Posts: 58 Karma: 5540 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Zealand Device: K-3, Kindle Fire HDX 7" 2013	Chaley... I think ducks has picked up my current IP. Not sure how to watch for IP change? I have looked at port forwarding, and not sure how to do this. I’m pretty sure the PC has a fixed IP. But, is that when you make a DHCP reservation using MAC address? If I cant use the URL inside the home network, is there any way of testing it without resorting to going back and forth …. I mean whilst on the home network. ?

05-22-2015, 06:55 AM	#14
darryl Wizard Posts: 3,108 Karma: 60231510 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura H2O, Kindle Oasis, Huwei Ascend Mate 7	I am going to suggest that you go back to the basics. Make sure the content server is running. Then try to access it from another machine on your home network by using the ip address and the port number, for example http://192.168.0.11:8080. You must, of course, substitute the ip address of the machine running Calibre and the actual port number if you have changed the default. Does this work? Once we know it is working internally, we can then setup port forwarding. What is the brand and model of your modem/router?

05-22-2015, 04:02 PM	#15
Saxguy Connoisseur Posts: 58 Karma: 5540 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Zealand Device: K-3, Kindle Fire HDX 7" 2013	Chaley, Darryl, Harry & eschwartz... thank you for your help. Just back at my comp now, 7.30 Sat morning here. I will try as much as I can re all the info you have given me. Darryl, yes as far as basics, i have had my content server running for a good few weeks now. I can see my library and download etc onto my KF okay. Yesterday, changed the port setting, and that works (thought it best for security, ie not so obvious as default if going 'live'). Oh, my router is D-link 2730B Also, one of the things concerning me, and one reason I have hesitated in trying to set up my router with port forwarding, is that I dont want to somehow leave an open gate to hackers, and I am not confident enough to be sure about that myself. This is all new ground to me, but I am enjoying learning new skills. Got a real kick out of getting the content server up and running a while back. I'll be checking back here periodically, as i am in the midst or renovation work at present. Thanks again, and I really appreciate all your help. This is a great forum, great community.

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