Unable to Connect to Roon ARC Remotely on Eero Mesh Network using Nucleus (ref#9QO2RS)

Support
1

Network Setup

· Do you have a mesh network? (Google Mesh, Eeros, Ubiquiti, etc.)

ARC Status

· ARC is *Ready*

Describe the issue

I am unable to connect to Roon Arc remotely. I have a Eero mesh network and decided my best option would be to set up a Tailscale connection. However, Tailscale is not an option that appears when I look at the settings on my Roon Nucleus settings page. The Nucleus was recently purchased used from my local hifi store. Nucleus SN is 54B203F68Ce7. Nucleus (rev B) 1TB. I installed updates the Roon Operating system is listed as software and it is listed as Version 1.0 (Build 227) stable. Server software is listed as Version 1.8 (Build 903) stable

Describe your network setup

Century Link, model number C2100Z/Eero mesh system, Model J010001, blinked with ethernet cable, MAC OS

2

There are several points here:

  1. The Nucleus (and Nucleus Plus) devices do not have Tailscale support. If you want to use Tailscale you will need to use a computer (always on) to run Tailscale as a subnet router.
  2. Build 227 of RoonOS is far from the latest available for you Nucleus. If you go to the WebUI for your Nucleus and select “reinstall”, you Nucleus should be updated to build 259 which is the latest for the Nucleus. The Reinstall option will not lose your Roon Database or any stored music that you have on that 1TB SSD/disk.
  3. Your Nucleus is likely configured to run the legacy version 1.8 of the Roon Server software. This version is no longer supported and will likely become non functional at some point but, more importantly, it does not support ARC. If simply using the reinstall mentioned in the previous point does not update the Roon Server software to the latest software version (2.66 at time of writing), then your Nucleus is likely configured to run the legacy version of Roon Server and not update to the 2.xx series of versions. In this case you will need to follow the instructions at Ready to Move to Roon 2.0 to change your Nucleus to use the latest version of Roon Server.
  4. Finally, whilst your Roon Server is on the legacy version (1.8), all clients and remotes must also be using the legacy 1.8 version of Roon. You can’t mix and match.
3

Hi @ibis400,

CenturyLink hasn’t commonly implemented CG-NAT that would prevent port forwarding from working without the need for Tailscale.

Have you tried setting up a manual port fowarding rule in each active router? This would need to be a TCP protocol rule matching the port number and IP address listed in Roon Settings → ARC. You can also try to auto-configure via UPnP if that’s enabled in your router(s).

Let us know if we can help or if you have any questions.

4

I will try installing the new build.

Thanks for the help.

5

I haven”t tried that and would likely need detailed instructions. Do you know where I would find those?

Thanks

6

I think, according to the Web UI, it has been updated.

Operating System

OK

Version 1.0 (build 259) production

Running 5 hours, 35 minutes, 48 seconds.

Roon Server Software

OK

Version 2.66 (build 1658) production

Running 5 hours, 35 minutes, 42 seconds

Roon Labs Software

OK

Version 1.0 (build 15) production.

Running 1 day, 4 hours, 11 minutes, 4 seconds.

7

Hi @ibis400,

If you are wanting to set up a manual port forwarding rule, here is some helpful information to read:

Here’s a step-by-step guide for your specific setup. Since you have the C2100Z modem/router + Eero mesh system connected via ethernet, you have two routers in series (a “double NAT” situation).

Step 1: Assign a Static IP to Your Mac via Eero

Same as Step 2 above — use the Eero app to create a DHCP reservation for your Nucleus / Roon Server.

Step 2: Port Forward on the Eero

Add the rule in Eero app → Reservations & Port Forwarding, pointing to your Nucleus/ Roon Server static IP.

Step 3: Log into the C2100Z

Open a browser and go to http://192.168.0.1

Step 4: Port Forward on the C2100Z

  1. Click Advanced Setup in the top menu
  2. Click Port Forwarding in the left sidebar
  3. From the device dropdown, select your Eero (or manually enter its IP)
  4. Enter the port number or range. Only one port needs to be opened, enter the same number in both the Starting Port and Ending Port fields. [url=https://mysupport.zyxel.com/hc/en-us/articles/360003414779--CPE-CenturyLink-PK-5001Z-Port-Forwarding-NAT-Setup]Zyxel[/url]
  5. Click Apply

Let me know if this helps! :folded_hands:

8

Hi @ibis400,

We don’t see any recent activity in ARC diagnostics so we’re not in a position to confirm whether or not you’ve successfully configured port forwarding on your network.

What do you currently see in Roon Settings → ARC?

9

@connor,

Thanks for checking in. I haven’t been successful, but may well be due to my lack of adeptness with tech. I am enlisting some assistance and hope to make progress in the next couple of days.

Robert

10

Hi Robert,

Thanks for the update! No worries at all - networking setups with multiple routers can be tricky, so bringing in some extra help is a great move.
We’ll keep this thread open for you. Take your time, and please keep us posted on how it goes once your assistant has a look at those port forwarding steps.
If you get stuck or need further clarification on the CenturyLink or Eero settings, just let us know.

Good luck!

11

Thank you. I really appreciate the support.

12

Hi @ibis400.

Thanks for the update, and for letting us know you have some help lined up. When you are ready to pick this back up, please let us know how it goes.

13

Hi @ibis400,

Just checking in on this, and wanted to see whether you were able to pick things back up with the help you had lined up. When you have a chance, let us know how it went and whether there are any updates on your side, otherwise the thread will auto-close. If that happens, you can submit a reopen request using the same system you submitted your original report, thanks.