OS X, PlexConnect and your own DNS server?

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1

Probably asked before, so forgive me on that.

Happy with what I have now, but I'm greedy and want more! :D

 

In my setup I do not have PMS running all the time, nor do I have PlexConnect running all the time. If I take down PlexConnect, then my ATV isn't happy as it's DNS server isn't there anymore. What I am wondering is this:

Can you run a DNS server (if so, what?) on OS X - and I'm talking client here, not server, so you're bog standard Mountain Lion - and if you can, is it possible to set things up so that I can set my DNS on the ATV to point to my PMS (actually my iMac), and get PlexConnect working as it is now when PlexConnect is running, but when I disable PlexConnect, NOT have to change DNS on the Apple TV, so it's still pointing to my iMac, BUT still have it use the unblock-us servers so Netflix will connect to US setup rather than Canadian one?

 

Am I just crazy? :D

2

On your last question, I just don't know...

What's wrong with PlexConnect running all the time, if you Mac is on anyways? I can't see a difference in running PlexConnect vs. any other app, that would handle your DNS mapping...

3

It is a good point, guess I'm just a little over-protective of the ol iMac, and like to only run exactly what I need when I need it.

4

You can:

  1. Disable the PlexConnect DNS server and run your own DNS server - see the wiki advanced options and the OSX server thread for setup details
  2. Disable the PlexConnect DNS server and use iptables on e.g. a Linux based router to redirect the traffic in that way
  3. Newly discovered - if you have a jailbroken ATV2 you could run PlexConnect on that (either using the PlexConnect DNS server or by altering the ATV2's host file)

We are getting more flexible and modular ;)

But if your iMac is on all the time anyway and not in a DMZ then i would see it as nothing more than a preference thing.

5

Does anybody have an idea how to setup bind9 to reroute all requests from a select IP (except to trailers.apple.com) to another DNS?

The idea is this:

AppleTV DNS set up to a Debian VPS running Bind9. Bind9 takes care of "trailers.apple.com" rerouting it to it's own IP (that I have set up), and transfers all other DNS queries to another DNS. And preferably it needs to do that only for requests coming from a single known IP (AppleTV).

6

>> The idea is this: ...

I don't fully understand. You are basically asking to re-do the coding done in DNSServer.py. Why? And what is Bind9?

7

Bind9 is the standard Linux DNS server.

8

And you are using Bind9 as DNS Server for your LAN?

I know there are a couple of threads around, using an already installed DNS Server instead of the PlexConnect one... but there the main DNS Server was in use already.

Why do you want to go through the configuration hoops just to have another software running? I guess, I am really missing the point here.

9

I'm using BIND to host DNS and keep my domains running. It is not an option to turn it off. I chose to run it on the sever instead of other paid DNS services because I don't need absolute 100% uptime and because of additional features and control it gives me. And I can't run PlexConnect DNS at the same time as BIND. The reason I wanted to set it up on my VPS is because it's always on.

Sooo, I have it working now, I'll open a new thread with a tutorial to help people with the same idea as me.

10

Hello.
This bind9 settings works for me:
(sorry for my english)
1. Go to "/etc/bind/"
2. copy “db.local” to “db.trailers” (as example)
3. in “db.trailers” in this line:

@       IN      A       127.0.0.1
change 127.0.0.1 to your plex server local ip-address
PS. Also you can delete ipv6 address in this file (or edit it for plex-server):
@       IN      AAAA    ::1
4. create trailers.conf with this code:
zone “trailers.apple.com”

{

        type master;

        file “/etc/bind/db.trailers”;

};

 

zone “atv.plexconnect”

{

        type master;

        file “/etc/bind/db.trailers”;

};

 

zone “mesu.apple.com”

{

        type master;

        file “/etc/bind/db.local”;

};

 

zone “appldnld.apple.com”

{

        type master;

        file “/etc/bind/db.local”;

};

 

zone “appldnld.apple.com.edgesuite.net”

{

        type master;

        file “/etc/bind/db.local”;

};
 
5. …And add it to “named.conf”:
include “/etc/bind/trailers.conf”;
 
All done. After restarting bind9 or/and “sudo rndc reload”, you own dns server is ready for plexconnect and you can (you must!, because you can’t run two dns-servers on one system together) disable it in “Settings.cfg” (in PlexConnect directory):
enable_dnsserver = False
Have a nice day ))
11

I did it exactly as you said, Im still getting the error that Trailers unavailable. :/

12

Hi did anybody got it to work with his own Bind Server?

13

So I have tried the instruction of NaoVrn

An it works in addition you need to change the plexconnect config file.
From enable_dnsserver = True to enable_dnsserver = False

See the wiki of plexconnect project
https://github.com/iBaa/PlexConnect/wiki/Settings-for-advanced-use-and-troubleshooting

14

So I have tried the instruction of NaoVrn

An it works in addition you need to change the plexconnect config file.
From enable_dnsserver = True to enable_dnsserver = False

See the wiki of plexconnect project
https://github.com/iBaa/PlexConnect/wiki/Settings-for-advanced-use-and-troubleshooting

I wrote about it...

PS. Some news about DNS-replacement for Plex and Apple TV...

At this moment, I have problems with playing purchased content with previous settings. Now, I have in "trailers.conf" only this code:

zone "trailers.apple.com"
{
        type master;
        file "/etc/bind/db.trailers";
};
 
zone "atv.plexconnect"
{
        type master;
        file "/etc/bind/db.trailers";
};

because all three another addresses just block apple updates and interrupt functionality of Apple TV.

For example: if you need connect your Apple TV to Plexconnect, just replace IP's in DNS for "trailers.apple.com" and "atv.plexconnect" to your plexconnect server. I could do it, even with my router.

15

ATV.plexconnect is no longer used, you only need to redirect trailers.apple.com

16

Without “ATV.plexconnect” my Apple TV says that “trailers not found”

17

Without "ATV.plexconnect" my Apple TV says that "trailers not found"


This was removed from the code months ago so you may want to upgrade your install.
18

This was removed from the code months ago so you may want to upgrade your install.

Thanks. Now it's really works with redirect "trailers.apple.com" only.

Also, I found new daemon-file in plexconnect directory and replaced them my old file in Ubuntu... It's works perfect and without "screen". Thanks again  :) 
 

19

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