Setting up Static IP and Port Forwarding

General Discussions
1

I have 2 devices setup as Plex Servers - MacBook Pro and Shield Pro (2017).

I have followed the following instructions on how to setup a Static IP for both devices, and I have that working.

https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/200931138-Troubleshooting-myPlex-Server-connections

I am now trying to do the Port Forwarding, and I have some questions. I use an Apple Time Machine as my router, and the Port Forwarding options include:

  • Public UDP Ports
  • Public TCP Ports
  • Private UDP Ports
  • Private TCP Ports

The directions aren’t clear to me on which of those MUST be 32400, and which others can be what I want.

In the directions where it says “WAN/External Port”, I’m thinking that would map to:

  • Public UDP Ports
  • Public TCP Ports

In the directions where it says “LAN/Internal Port”, I’m thinking that would map to:

  • Private UDP Ports
  • Private TCP Ports

The next line in the directions say “Important: While you can choose any valid WAN/external port number you desire, the mapping for the LAN/internal port must always be 32400 (TCP).”. I think that means that the Private TCP Port must be 32400.

So I think my MacBook Pro should be mapped like:

  • Public UDP Ports = 32401
  • Public TCP Ports = 32401
  • Private UDP Ports = 32401
  • Private TCP Ports = 32400

And my Shield should be mapped like:

  • Public UDP Ports = 32402
  • Public TCP Ports = 32402
  • Private UDP Ports = 32402
  • Private TCP Ports = 32400

When I enter those settings in my Router, and within the “Remote Access” settings I enter 32401 in the “Manually specify public port” box and check the check box within the settings for my MacBook, and then click Retry, it attempts to connect to the server, and then displays "_Not available outside your network
Your server is signed in to Plex, but is not reachable from outside your network.

You currently have Remote Access enabled through a manually-specified port. If you wish to disable Remote Access, you will need to remove your manual port forwarding from your router.

Private 10.0.x.xxx : 32400 Public xx.xx.xxx.xx : 32401 Internet

You may need to enable this to establish a direct connection from outside your network. You may also need to configure your router. Detailed instructions are available here._"

What am I doing wrong??

2

32401 is not yet documented but already reserved. It will be added to this list soon.

This is what you need be concerned with for local and remote https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/201543147-What-network-ports-do-I-need-to-allow-through-my-firewall-

There is only one port to map from external to internal. Whatever external port you select it must also be forwarded to 32400/TCP internally.

3

@ChuckPA said:
32401 is not yet documented but already reserved. It will be added to this list soon.

This is what you need be concerned with for local and remote https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/201543147-What-network-ports-do-I-need-to-allow-through-my-firewall-

There is only one port to map from external to internal. Whatever external port you select it must also be forwarded to 32400/TCP internally.

So which of the following needs to be set to 32400? And if I chose 1 external port to be forwarded to 32400, which of the following should that be?

  • Public UDP Ports
  • Public TCP Ports
  • Private UDP Ports
  • Private TCP Ports
4

In Settings - Server - Remote Access you see where you can Manually Specify the port?

If you want full control, which I assume you do, Whatever number you place here is the port you open on your router. That ‘open port’ is input to the port-forwarding rule TCP-only, to port 32400/TCP of your computer. ONLY that port is needed for remote access.

Example:

Specify port: 12345

In router: Forward port 12345/TCP -> 32400/TCP at the static IP of your PMS server.

It’s that simple… nothing complex/obscure about it.