Manually accessing Plex Media Server on Windows 10 within my home LAN, using openPHT on Rasplex/RPi2

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1

Hi,
I have Plex Media Server (PMS) installed on my windows 10 PC at home. I use openPHT on rasplex installed on the Raspberry Pi2 (the client) which is connected to my home theater system to access PMS. The PMS is kept in my bedroom and the RPi2 is in the living room. Both are connected to a linksys E2500 router on its lan ports.

However, I’m just unable to access my movie libraries on PMS through OpenPHT unless I sign in with my plex id. All I get is a series of “search” words when I try to manually specify a server (my PMS PC has a static IP with port forwarding enabled on 32400). Please help me fix this so that I can access my PMS without the need for an internet connection.

I have tried the following so far:

  • resetting my router and reinstalling PMS and OpenPHT on Rasplex
  • ensured that all devices on my lan are within the same subnet mask (255.255.255.0)
  • changed the secure connections setting under Server / Network to “Disabled”

Any suggestions to fix this would be very helpful.

Thanks,
JJ.

2

This is a Plex Media Server issue and not an OpenPHT issue.

PMS requires plex.tv authentication of all clients remote and local now. To enable what you want (to a limited degree):

Disable Secure Connections on PMS.
Login to plex.tv on OpenPHT client (internet connections required for this step).
Enable auto sign-in on OpenPHT client.

That should work for a temporary basis but mileage may vary.

3

I tried auto sign-in and it works. However, the performance was much faster and better when the PMS content was played over a home LAN network without auto sign-in. I just don’t understand how the PMS is able to provide remote access (I can watch my content on my mobile phone anywhere), but becomes inaccessible over my home LAN which is basically a server-client connected to each other over a router switch.

Am I missing some setting in PMS ? All I need is a simple Server-client connection to be established without the use of the internet.

4

Got it… Phew!

Step 1
Rasplex Settings

  • Set manual IP on rasplex (for example, 192.168.1.100) under System Settings -> Connections -> Wired -> Type: Manual (instead of DHCP)

Step 2
Plex Media Server Settings
Under Server -> Network -> List of IP addresses and networks that are allowed without auth -> Enter the rasplex manual IP (for example, 192.168.1.100)

Step 3
OpenPHT Settings

  • Go to Preferences and tick manually specify the static server IP of your PC (for example, 192.168.1.110), and leave the port number as PMS’ default 32400
  • Sign out of Plex

Now it works without an internet connection.