Is there a way to share my Plex server with my downstairs neighbor (via Ethernet or wifi to my network) without them having access to my internet and possibly other devices on my network? I am being forced after a move to use Verizon DSL (yuck) if our little town had better internet available I would just give them a Plex user account and let them access it over the net. This is temporary I hope until a new company reaches my location. It’s not that I don’t trust them but I like to side with caution you just never know!
If supported by your router, use a guest wifi network with client isolation. They will have Internet access.
From a Plex point of view, they will look like a remote user. The traffic will pass through your router, but will not be routed to the Internet.
You will need remote access enabled in Plex.
Client isolation means they can access the Internet when connected to your WiFi. However, they cannot see any hosts on your network.
Not sure of a way to block Internet access. Possibly through Parental Controls if supported by your router. However, Plex clients need Internet access to authenticate at plex.tv.
Update: Ran a quick test and it worked.
Enabled remote access in PMS settings.
Shared libraries with alternate Plex account.
Enabled guest network on my router with client isolation.
Put tablet on guest network.
Signed in to Plex app with alternate Plex account.
I was able to stream movies from my server.
Remote access in PMS is required. When I disabled it, the Plex app could no longer see my Plex server.
Also, in Plex client app, must set Remote Streaming = Maximum. Default is 2 Mbps. I initially had mine set at default, and video transcoded. Set to Maximum, and video direct played.
Screenshot of Plex Dashboard during playback. Traffic says local, but shows address of my router.
Guest Network configuration setup on my Asus router.
One more idea. Again, depends on capability of your router.
My Asus has ability to bandwidth limit hosts. I can apply an upload and download limit. This limit applies only to traffic to/from the Internet. It does not apply to local traffic nor to traffic “hairpinned” inside the router, such as a Plex client on the guest wifi accessing a Plex server on the main network.
You could limit their Internet access to a painfully low level, say 1 Mbps or less. The Plex apps could still authenticate to the necessary hosts. However, your neighbor would not want to use the network for “regular” Internet access as it would be too slow.
Note: You have to apply the limit on a host by host basis. The neighbor could add a new PC, phone, firestick, etc and would have no b/w limits until you told the router to limit the new device.
Again, I ran a quick test. I set 3 Mbps up/down limit for my tablet. SpeedTest.net shows a max up/down of 3 Mbps whether on guest or primary wifi network. However, with tablet on Guest net, I can stream a 40+ Mbps blu-ray rip w/o buffering, transcoding, etc. As long as the traffic stays local to my router, there is no limit.
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