Problem with accessing BTV server from work

[studio54]

Hi,
I just started work at a new office (I'm a consultant) and for some reason I can't get to access my BTV server.
If I type in <ip address>:8129 I get nothing. If I type in <ip address>:80 or, just the <ip address> without specifying any ports, I get the Beyond TV Web Admin Redirector page that then refreshes to :8129 and ofcourse I get the usual "The Page cannot be displayed" error message.
I have turned on port forwarding on my wireless router (D-Link model # DI-624 if that helps anyone) and have set port forwarding on ports 80, 8129 & 443 but without any luck.
I didn't have this problem on any of my earlier assignments since I've owned BTV. This is the first time I'm having so much trouble getting to my BTV Server.
I was starting to think its this company's firewall thats causing this, but since I get the "Admin Redicrector" page whenever I try port 80 I'm not so sure. If I can see the redirector page why wouldn't I be able to view the main login page?

Any troubleshooting ideas would be much appreciated because I'm fresh out at this point....

Cheers.

[Rich A]

Maybe you could try installing BTV-Link on the remote system (just a temporary trial version). If that works then I think you could rule out some kind of firewall or network problem.

[studio54]

Ok, that sounds like a good idea. I'll try that tomorrow. Never installed link on a machine out on the net before. I have a link license but when I installed it on my laptop it saw the btv server on the lan right away. I didn't have to do anything. Should be interesting.

[Mike DiBella]

Probably a firewall or proxy restriction. You didn't say if you are using your own computer or own provided for you. If it is one provided for you, it may be set to use a web proxy that doesn't allow HTTP traffic on non-standard ports. This isn't uncommon.

If your router supports port redirection as well as forwarding (most "consumer" broadband routers don't) you could configure port 80 on the router's WAN interface to forward to port 8129 on your BTV server.

There are various local proxy and redirector programs that will map one port to another on a system, such that requests coming in on port 80 automatically get forwarded to port 8129, and responses flow the other way. Most are designed for developers to use while testing, so they might be a little intimidating to work with. I have no specific suggestion for one to use.

Other than that, the only other suggestion is to turn off BTV's web redirector and configure the admin interface to use port 80. You can do that in the web admin interface (http://localhost:8129/SetupWebServer.aspx), but I'm not sure what ramifications that has on other apps, such as Link, you might be running. Once you make thechange, for instance, the link above won't work anymore.

[studio54]

Originally Posted by Mike DiBella

Probably a firewall or proxy restriction. You didn't say if you are using your own computer or own provided for you. If it is one provided for you, it may be set to use a web proxy that doesn't allow HTTP traffic on non-standard ports. This isn't uncommon.

If your router supports port redirection as well as forwarding (most "consumer" broadband routers don't) you could configure port 80 on the router's WAN interface to forward to port 8129 on your BTV server.

There are various local proxy and redirector programs that will map one port to another on a system, such that requests coming in on port 80 automatically get forwarded to port 8129, and responses flow the other way. Most are designed for developers to use while testing, so they might be a little intimidating to work with. I have no specific suggestion for one to use.

Other than that, the only other suggestion is to turn off BTV's web redirector and configure the admin interface to use port 80. You can do that in the web admin interface (), but I'm not sure what ramifications that has on other apps, such as Link, you might be running. Once you make thechange, for instance, the link above won't work anymore.

Ok, I messed around when I shouldn't be and I need some help to fix this.
I went to the http://localhost:8129/SetupWebServer.aspx page and changed the port from 8129 to 80 to test the web proxy that won't allow traffic on uncommon ports theory but now I can't get to the "Advanced Settings" on the BTV server machine itself.

If I type in http://localhost:8129 I get the web redicrector page that then takes me to page error. If I type in http://localhost:80 I get the same behavior, redirector page then error.

If I right click the btv server icon in the system tray and choose either 'Advanced Settings' or 'Web Admin' is the same deal.

How do I get to advanced settings to change it back without having to reinstall BTV. Is there a settings file that I can change the port back to 8129?

[Mike DiBella]

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\SnapStream\Beyond TV\Settings.xml

Look for the HTTPAdminPort and PortForwarder nodes.

[studio54]

Thank you!
I was looking in the Program Files:SnapStream Media:Beyond TV folder.
Can u explain to me (if its not too much trouble) why changing that port to 80 screwed up everything like that?

Should I have also changed the Port Forwarder setting to 'NO' as well because I had it enabled ?

What other 'common port' can I change it to, to test out your theory of the company firewall not passing traffic on uncommon ports?

[Mike DiBella]

Shut down the port forwarder FIRST, otherwise it is still bound to port 80 and the web admin listener can't bind to an already used port.

To be safe:
1. Shutdown BTV.
2. Set HTTPAdminPort to 80 and PortForwarder to 0. Save changes.
3. Restart BTV.

You could try the "secondary HTTP port" 8080 for web admin. I my Settings.xml I see that there is a node TVStreamingPort set to 8080, which I think is used for the Live TV option in web admin. You might need to juggle this value as well to free up 8080 if you want to use this port.

[studio54]

Firstoff, thanks a lot for your help.
Unfortunately I still had the same problem after disabling portforwarder and trying 80 again.
Silver lining (possibily) in the process of monkeying around with the router itself I discovered that it does support port redirection, so I set it to accept port 80 on the wan and to redirect it to 8129 on the btv box as you suggested in your first post.
Hopefully I might be able to get thru tomorrow.
I will update thread with results, especially if it works. Then it might save some future poor soul who gets stuck in the same situation.

Cheers.

[nanook105]

It is possible that your work network is blocking access, and unless you are an admin, you may not be able to do anything about it. Can you try on a non work PC ?

Are you using a service like dyndns to access your home network ?

http://www.dyndns.com/

[HomeyFour]

At my work, they have severe port restrictions on their web proxy - I can't get to BTV Web Admin whatsoever.

[studio54]

It worked!!!
I turned off binding to port 80 and left the default port to 8129 on the webserver settings page. I then set my router to redirect all requests on port 80 to 8129 on the btv box and now I'm in.

Thanx a million Mike.