Roon ARC remote access / port forward

[Mike_Gibson1 (Mike Gibson)]

Roon Core Machine

Unraid 6.12.3, RoonServer running in docker

Networking Gear & Setup Details

pfsense firewall/router
forwarding 55000 from WAN to the IP of unraid/docker/roon

Connected Audio Devices

Number of Tracks in Library

Description of Issue

diagnostics from roon below. WEIRD EXTERNAL IP
{
“ipv4_connectivity”: {“status”:“NetworkError”,“status_code”:504,“error”:“error: Error: ETIMEDOUT, response code: undefined, body: undefined connected? undefined”},
“external_ip”: {“actual_external_ip”:“173.aaa.bbb.ccc”,“actual_external_ipv6”:“null”,“router_external_ip”:“null”},
“natpmp_autoconfig”: {“status”:“NotFound”},
“upnp_autoconfig”: {“status”:“NotFound”}
}

[connor]

Hi @Mike_Gibson1,

Thank you for your post and we’re sorry to hear you’re having issues with ARC cellular access.

I’d first try a different port number than 55000 in Roon → Settings → ARC and any associated network rules you’ve created in your router or firewall settings. Sometimes, your ISP or third-party software will have reserved the autoconfigured port range. Usually augmenting by a few thousand works - try 56000 or 60000.

If that doesn’t work, please confirm whether you have any additional routers, switches, or other network hardware in this setup, or if you have any VPNs involved.

If the external IP address registered by Roon doesn’t match what you expect, it’s usually one of a few culprits:

1. an active VPN is presenting an additional external address to the machine hosting RoonServer
2. your ISP is dynamically reassigning your external IP address
3. there’s a setting or hardware setup issue in your network causing a mismatch in IP assignment

We’ll stand by for your response. Thank you!

[Mike_Gibson1 (Mike Gibson)]

I’ll try the other ports. I do not have a static external IP address. I don’t know anyone that does.

[connor]

Hi @Mike_Gibson1,

Roon can’t influence the content of the external IP field - that’s simply reported via the UPnP stack in the router.

We’re responding to your suggestion that the external IP address was “weird” - ARC doesn’t require a static IP address, but carrier-grade network address translation by your ISP will prevent port forwarding.

[Mike_Gibson1 (Mike Gibson)]

Hi There ! So it was just a complete fail on my part. I added the firewall rule but didn’t actually forward the port. I’ve forwarded port 55000 and I’m in business. Thanks for putting up with me.