Rainbird Smart Controller - LAN only ?

Dolby

Dolby

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I bought one of these last week and set it up.

On my LAN, it seems alright and works - I can login into the controller and it breaks out into the Internet to get a weather forecast. But issues start when it's off the LAN (ie I'm sitting at work) and I try access the controller. Do you think the issue could be my own network? I have cameras and smart light switches that work anywhere in the world though - I didn't have to set anything extra : they just worked!

Basically : On LTE, it seems to access once - but no Internet breakout. The second time, it won't even access the controller and spit out a Network Error. When I get back on the LAN, it accesses the controller but still no Internet break out ... if I reset everything, I can access the controller and break out to the Internet once again from the LAN.

Someone mentioned DynDNS?
They mentioned that the camera and the lights, use cloud services ie I login - whereas the irrigation, I don't?

EDIT : Reposting in the Networking section too
 
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Dolby said:
I bought one of these last week and set it up.

On my LAN, it seems alright and works - I can login into the controller and it breaks out into the Internet to get a weather forecast. But issues start when it's off the LAN (ie I'm sitting at work) and I try access the controller. Do you think the issue could be my own network? I have cameras and smart light switches that work anywhere in the world though - I didn't have to set anything extra : they just worked!

Basically : On LTE, it seems to access once - but no Internet breakout. The second time, it won't even access the controller and spit out a Network Error. When I get back on the LAN, it accesses the controller but still no Internet break out ... if I reset everything, I can access the controller and break out to the Internet once again from the LAN.

Someone mentioned DynDNS?
They mentioned that the camera and the lights, use cloud services ie I login - whereas the irrigation, I don't?

EDIT : Reposting in the Networking section too
Click to expand...

That's correct, if the rainbird controller is not a cloud device you would need to set up port forwarding.

You can either use dyndns or ask your isp for a fixed ip.
Dyndns is not free anymore but is the most supported as far as routers go. Most routers has a option to setup dyndns.

There are many other services like dyndns that is free but you would need to run the updater on a always or mostly on pc to keep the host name synced with your public ip.

Once that is done you can set up port forwarding. Refer to below link for guides. They have most of the mainstream routers covered.
https://portforward.com/

If you need more detailed info just ask again.
 
Sounds a mission ... I'll definitely come back to ask for assistance - thanks so much !

I'm not technical, so apologies if I get some terms incorrect :

I have an account here (https://www.dynu.com/en-US) which I setup for Express VPN on my Smart TV. I just followed the tutorial, so I have no real idea what I did, but I get US Netflix which was the goal. I'm guessing I can use this same service?

I'm using a Calix GigaHub which seems fairly limited in the GUI - but hopefully I can just enter something on it and it works?

EDIT : https://portforward.com/calix/813g-2/ <<< I'll follow this at home :)

Thanks again
 
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I already have Dynu - so if that can do what I need, bonus ...
 
Looking forward to going home!
 
Strange that first time you can access controller from the work. Did you set port forwarding on the router for this? If you didn't, something is wrong with your setup.
 
ODTech said:
DynU will work.
Click to expand...

By the way, would it make any sense that I can get in the first time ?

I've also just discovered that it goes like this (off LAN) :

- Log in controller (successful) but no Internet Break Out
- Log out, but can't log back in (Network Error)

If I leave the phone for a while (Ie an hour), I can log back in again ... but then error
 
I'm stuck ...

I'm not sure what details to put where?
I have dynU - but there are details everywhere

Also - my Rainbird isn't in that device list ... but there are some iPhones that I don't have in there?

EDIT : The Rainbird IP address is actually in there ...

forward.jpg
 
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Dolby said:
I'm stuck ...

I'm not sure what details to put where?
I have dynU - but there are details everywhere

Also - my Rainbird isn't in that device list ... but there are some iPhones that I don't have in there?

EDIT : The Rainbird IP address is actually in there ...

View attachment 543969
Click to expand...

It is odd that you can access it only intermittently. It sound a lot like an ip address conflict. Make sure the controller has a unique ip via its UI or set it to DHCP. If you set it to DHCP you'll also have to reserve the given address for the controller on your router.

Do you access the controller via web browser?
If so then Local and Wan ports are port 80 for start and end. In the controller UI if there is an option to specify a different port i would do it.

Local device needs to be set to ip then specify the controller ip address.
Remote ip you set to All IP Addresses
 
This is complex ... I don't think things are behaving as they should - perhaps I just keep it local ;)

I only access it via an Android app and the settings on the app are very limited - you can't change the IP or anything like that. There's no DHCP - I'm pretty sure it's just a static from the box and that's it. But something isn't right.
 
It is not complex, it is a mess...

1. The app can do discovery and device usually query DHCP server, it is why you don't have IP settings. It will work on the LAN, but to access controller from WAN, not sure. In such cases the best is to assign a static IP for the device. It is either done on the device itself (controller), but you say there is no such settings, then you have the other option: reserve a specific IP for the controller's MAC address. It is done on the DHCP server device, usually your router. Then restart router and all devices on the LAN to propagate changes.

[ADDED] Once you complete it, there should be no problems accessing controller (second time) from your LAN.

2. In the next step you should find out what ports are used for communication with the controller, or at least a network protocol. It should be in the user manual or on the Website. Tell us model nummber, so we can look at.

3. Once you know ports used for communication, open these ports on the router, so router will forward incoming packets to the controller.

4. In the last step register your current WAN IP address on the DDNS server. It is done from PC or any device on your LAN.

It would be easier if controller registered itself on the manufacturer's Website (or their cloud server), but if not, you cannot skip steps 1,2&3.
 
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Sorry - never replied to this.

The app has zero changes that one can do with regards to IPs - it seems to have a hardcoded static IP address already. I'll confirm with Rainbird, but from what I see, that's how it works (in fact IP, subnet and gateway appear fixed with no option edit).
 
Strange, normally it takes all network parameters from DHCP server, so is auto-configured. You may not be able to change these parameters, but you should see Rainbird MAC address in the table of DHCP leases.

However if true, you need a router which allows for two separate LANs. Alternatively you have to allign your entire LAN to be in the same subnet and the router LAN IP address must be the same as a gateway address hardcoded in the Rainbird device. Adjust your DHCP server address pool to not include Rainbird IP address to avoid IP conflicts. PM if you need more assistance.
 
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So, an update ...

I tried this on both my Huawei phones - never worked. I've been moaning and chatting to their support for about a week - to and from with multiple tests. Eventually, support asks me to send through the config file to the control to his phone (app allows invite to another for control). He had no issue ...

I tried last night with my brother and again today ... and again, perfect (iPhone).

I'm starting to think the issue is either Huawei or Android :/
 
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