I have Plex Media Server running on a Ubuntu server in Docker. My home internet is CGNAT with no stable IPv4 address (unavoidable, it’s the only option).
Problem 1: All of my in-home LAN connections are streaming over Remote Access or, even worse, Indirect/Relay Play at 2mbps. It switches randomly but mostly settles on Indirect Play with constant freezing. I am not sure, but I think it’s because of Plex is confused by CGNAT and can’t punch stable holes in it. Which is weird, since it’s on the same LAN. (I assume Plex reaches out for verification on a central server and then can’t “find” its way back to me.)
Problem 2: remote play when you’re away from the house and the PMS is behind CGNAT. Same issues as above.
There’s got to be good methods to get around this. It’s 2022! CGNAT home internet is getting more and more common with T-Mobile and Verizon offering cellular home internet and Starlink becoming more prevalent.
Any tips, thoughts, best practices - please let me know!
what does your plex server dashboard show? it should show local and the local ip of the client, should be on the same network as the server.
if it is showing remote, the client ip and server ip are not on the same network.
it could also be on the gateway, if it is blocking connections between local devices, check for any security or access allow/block lists, or ‘client isolation’ functions.
CGnat should not have any effect on the local lan, so something is either up with your gateway or local network itself.
As far as remote access, just about everything involved with cellular based networks is a bunch of hurt. I know that TMO uses ipv6 natively, and they are all super tight with their firewall/filters to block servers using the service, so basically you need some kind of vpn or external hosting.
No. It’s most likely caused by DNS rebinding protection, applied by your router (or whichever device is doing the DNS name resolution in your local network).
It causes clients to be unable to reach your server directly, so the only option left is the relay connection service.
