Confused about OpenVPN Tunnles, HTTPS and ReverseProxy?


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Noob here.. I'm concerned about privacy ... do I need to run this via a reverse proxy or a openvpn tunnel or something? SpaceInvader has a instruction video on Reverse Proxies and OpenVPN but I do not really understand what they do exactly.

 

If I setup a reverse proxy or a openVPN to safly stream into the internet... does that mean local network systems in my house will still use the internet?

 

*** Moderator: Split from binhex plexpass thread ***

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I'm a noob but I have my test server running pretty sweet now and I am 98% sure will buy a licences at the end of my trail.. the one thing I would like to look into is setting up a media servers that stream into the internet.. but I am concerned about privacy due to Australia having some "interesting" laws about IPS having to log and hand over details. So I want everything as secure as possible.

 

So I do not really know much beyond some clicking and the tutorials by space invader.

 

My Current/Basic Setup

I use BinHex-QBitTorrentVPN connected to excpressVPN and run all my other PVR stuff like Sonarr and NZBget through that so they all share that expressVPN connection so basically all my connecting to the internet for downloading and browsing run through a ExprerssVPN so my ip is obfuscated and my IP can not work out what is going on. I am following SpaceInvader's "How to route any docker container through a VPN container" tutorial to do this.

 

I couldn;t work out how to make all those apps like Sonarr be able to be connected via HTTPS... I tried turning them on but I got SSL Certificate errors... then I was told on this forum that as I am accessing them via my in house network and not from the outside I do not need to bother with that anyway.

 

I'm using BinHex-PlexPass and currently have not got it running through my paid VPN Service like the other things.

 

Currently I have no dedicated audio streaming service.

 

What I would like to do, but do not know how to do it.

Currently I have no dedicated audio streaming service but a lot of google seems to recommend me AirSonic so was planning to use that. I also use BinHex-PlexPass.

 

What I want to do to finish up my media server is be able to stream to remote locations Plex and AirSonic.. but I am not sure the best methods to do this.

 

SpaceInvader has two videos.. How to Setup and Configure a Reverse Proxy on unRAID with LetsEncrypt & NGINX and [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpkLvnAKen0 ]How to setup an OpenVPN-as Server on Unraid -- new 2019 guide[/url]

 

I have watched them a few times but still sorta confused as to what they do and why to choose one over the other. I "think" OpenVPN setup just makes my computers think they are on the local area network. So if I want to acess Sonarr from a remote locaiton, I connect to the OpenVPN and then just load the WebUI the same way I do on my home network... BUT to stream from AirSonic and Plex I have to use a ReverseProxy...... . . . Is that correct?

 

If I make AirSonic and Plex run off a reverseProxy, when I access it on the local network, will it go through the network? Like will my loungeroom TV be pulling it form the "internet" and not from my local home network?

 

Just a little confused how to go about setting up the next stage of my media server and would appreciate any advice and comments.

 

Thanks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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On 9/18/2020 at 6:29 PM, questionbot said:

Noob here.. I'm concerned about privacy ... do I need to run this via a reverse proxy or a openvpn tunnel or something? SpaceInvader has a instruction video on them both but I do not really understand what they do exactly.

No need to post almost the same question on two different airsonic containers support threads.

 

*** Moderator: Split from the other airsonic thread ***

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23 hours ago, saarg said:

No need to post almost the same question on two different airsonic containers support threads.

I have split all those posts into this thread.

 

Please don't post the same question to multiple threads. It makes it impossible to coordinate responses.

 

Suppose someone found your question on one thread, took a lot of time and effort to research and post a reply on that thread. Then someone else, unaware of that thread, found your question on another thread, and took a lot of time and effort to research and post a reply on that other thread, not realizing they were wasting their time and effort because it had already been answered elsewhere.

 

Crossposting has been considered a bad thing on message boards since before the World Wide Web.

 

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20 hours ago, trurl said:

Crossposting has been considered a bad thing on message boards since before the World Wide Web.

🤣 ahhh nostalgia!

 

On 9/19/2020 at 12:30 AM, questionbot said:

What I would like to do, but do not know how to do it.

Currently I have no dedicated audio streaming service but a lot of google seems to recommend me AirSonic so was planning to use that. I also use BinHex-PlexPass.

 

What I want to do to finish up my media server is be able to stream to remote locations Plex and AirSonic.. but I am not sure the best methods to do this.

 

SpaceInvader has two videos.. How to Setup and Configure a Reverse Proxy on unRAID with LetsEncrypt & NGINX and [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpkLvnAKen0 ]How to setup an OpenVPN-as Server on Unraid -- new 2019 guide[/url]

 

I have watched them a few times but still sorta confused as to what they do and why to choose one over the other. I "think" OpenVPN setup just makes my computers think they are on the local area network. So if I want to acess Sonarr from a remote locaiton, I connect to the OpenVPN and then just load the WebUI the same way I do on my home network... BUT to stream from AirSonic and Plex I have to use a ReverseProxy...... . . . Is that correct?

 

If I make AirSonic and Plex run off a reverseProxy, when I access it on the local network, will it go through the network? Like will my loungeroom TV be pulling it form the "internet" and not from my local home network?

I don't use airsonic specifically but I can answer in more general terms.

 

OpenVPN server is generally better for admin-level stuff as it allows you access to everything. It's like the door to your house.

If you just want to access a few services, especially if that service has a Web UI, then Reverse Proxy is better as it is basically specialised for web stuff.

 

So needless to say, AirSonic should be done through Reverse Proxy.

 

For Plex, you don't need a reverse proxy. Plex has built-in support for remote access so you can stream your own stuff through Plex.tv.

 

 

 

 

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17 hours ago, testdasi said:

For Plex, you don't need a reverse proxy. Plex has built-in support for remote access so you can stream your own stuff through Plex.tv.

Isn't OpenVPN and ReverseProxy aboutt security though.. if you use plex to steam or airsonic to stream out of the house... won't my IPS know what is happening if they looked?

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5 hours ago, questionbot said:

Isn't OpenVPN and ReverseProxy aboutt security though.. if you use plex to steam or airsonic to stream out of the house... won't my IPS know what is happening if they looked?

Plex support specifically mentioned remote access is encrypted. I guess you can use a Reverse Proxy if you don't trust their words.

https://support.plex.tv/articles/206225077-how-to-use-secure-server-connections/

 

Also even with encryption, your ISP will know you are streaming stuff if they bother to look, just by the pattern and amount of data transfer. Encryption just stops them from knowing WHAT you stream.

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I'm just conserved about privacy.. Australia has pretty lame laws in this regard and I also feel you should plan on things getting worse. I dunno.. I just feel a little uncomfortable about it all. That being said the idea of streaming from plex outside the house sounds awesome... I just want to make it as secure as possible. Even if it is overkill, I see no reason why my ISP should have any more info about me and what I do on the net. I just think it is best to make it as obscure as possible.

 

So, Plex should run using a reverse proxy?

Edited by questionbot
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