Set up the Jellyfin server so your brother and you can access it easily.
Set up the Jellyfin server so your brother and you can access it easily.
Hello everyone, welcome! I'm just starting out here. I need to connect my jellyfin server with my brother who lives in another state. I'm not very familiar with networking beyond basic file sharing on my home network and using Tailscale on my phone to access jellyfin anywhere. My server runs on a Windows 10 PC that also serves as a gaming machine. I have two challenges: 1) I need a stable IP address that works over the internet without a VPN, since Tailscale wouldn't work with the TV app on his device. 2) I'm concerned about security if I change my IP to something public. Could anyone suggest solutions or resources to help me learn more about networking? Thanks!
Tailscale serves the same function now. I haven’t used it personally, but the podcasts I listen to praise it. You’re already familiar with Jellyfin TV, though its networking constraints are notable. It needs to connect to the exact subnet as your router. If your TV is linked to a router at 192.168.1.x, the server must also reside there. I attempted this with a Windows setup using internet sharing, which locked in .137.0. That made testing difficult. Perhaps a method exists to place Tailscale on the same subnet as your main network, allowing the app to detect it properly.
The only method for assigning a static IP involves negotiating with your ISP, which may require some compromise. I suspect my ISP charges around $5 per month, but they don’t typically provide static assignments to residential users everywhere. You might consider using a DDNS service such as NO-IP to handle this. 2) When adjusting router ports, security risks are always present. If Jelly Fin lets you choose specific ports, opt for less common ones. For stronger protection, set up a VPN—this means running your own VPN server at home so external devices can connect through it securely.