Plex says "remote" when connecting to the local web dashboard

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
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Server Version#: 1.15.0.659

I just noticed this today, not sure for how long this has been going already, but when I connect to Plex/Web locally (through the IP address), the web dashboard says I am connected remotely:

Plex%202019-02-12%2021-12-44
Plex 2019-02-12 21-12-44.jpg530×930 71.6 KB

Any idea what is causing this? This is baffling even me as a network engineer. It does not make sense.

2

Are you using Microsoft Edge as your web browser?

Is Plex server running ‘virtualised’ (Docker, VMware etc)?

Are you using your ISP’s provided router or are you using an additional “internet security appliance” or have special DNS settings?

3

No, I am using Chrome and Safari (both with the same result).

I have my own local DNS Server (Unbound) and a hardware firewall by Fortinet.

I haven’t seen this before and everything else appears to be running fine. When I start a stream, it’s being played back locally. It’s just the WebUI that says the servers are remote.

4

Are you using an IP range that is not designated for private networks?

Have you ever had issues with “DNS rebinding protection”?

Have you put anything into
Settings - Server - Network - ‘Show Advanced’ - “LAN Networks” ?

5

No, I am using RFC1918 address space (172.16.16.0/24 to be precise).

No issues with DNS rebinding, at least none that I am aware off.

And yes, I have put “172.16.16.0/24” into Settings - Server - Network - ‘Show Advanced’ - “LAN Networks”

6

Hm, then I am already almost out of ideas.
Give the last few paragraphs of this article a read and look for similar settings in your DNS software.
https://support.plex.tv/articles/206225077-how-to-use-secure-server-connections/
(Scroll down to ‘DNS Rebinding’)

You might have to create a few exemption rules in a locked-down DNS configuration, to allow Plex’s special way to use the DNS system (which is totally legit, but unusual).

7

Reading that as we speak. Especially interesting is the part where they talk about PFSense. PFSense also uses Unbound as its DNS component. So I may have to actually disable DNS Rebind checks there. I’ll look into it tomorrow and let you know.

Thanks, you probably pointed me in the right direction from the looks of it.

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Couldn’t wait. Disabled Rebind checks for plex.local on my DNS server and voila - problem solved.

Thanks again!

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