off grid emby

[dcook 299]

Hello,

 

I am looking for some clarification on requirements for Emby to work properly.

 

Specifically, I am looking into setting up Emby at my cabin where there is no internet service.

 

An I correct in thinking that I could setup Emby with my Movie library at my home, and then move the server to the cabin and it would work?

 

Obviously the Emby server would not be able to fetch any metadata at the cabin since there is no Internet, so I will have to make sure that all the images are downloaded prior to moving it.

 

And once I have the key installed on the server, I should not get any pop ups telling me to buy Premiere?

 

Thank you!

[mastrmind11 722]

Hello,

 

I am looking for some clarification on requirements for Emby to work properly.

 

Specifically, I am looking into setting up Emby at my cabin where there is no internet service.

 

An I correct in thinking that I could setup Emby with my Movie library at my home, and then move the server to the cabin and it would work?

 

Obviously the Emby server would not be able to fetch any metadata at the cabin since there is no Internet, so I will have to make sure that all the images are downloaded prior to moving it.

 

And once I have the key installed on the server, I should not get any pop ups telling me to buy Premiere?

 

Thank you!

The server has to phone home to validate your premiere license once every couple of weeks, so you'd have that hurdle to overcome.  I suppose you could set up a hotspot on your phone and let Emby validate that way, then just shut off the hotspot when it's done.

Edited December 17, 2017 by mastrmind11

[dcook 299]

@@ebr if I buy a lifetime license instead of an annual one, is there a way to overcome this phone home validation?

 

If its a lifetime license it would never expire so I don't see the need for it to phone home.

 

Once I move the Emby server to the cabin I would not be bringing it back out again, so once it is there it would have no Internet access.

[Deathsquirrel 745]

@@ebr if I buy a lifetime license instead of an annual one, is there a way to overcome this phone home validation?

 

If its a lifetime license it would never expire so I don't see the need for it to phone home.

 

Once I move the Emby server to the cabin I would not be bringing it back out again, so once it is there it would have no Internet access.

 

Won't work.  As noted above, it needs to validate your key periodically.  You could use a setup that doesn't require premiere though, the server plus a kodi client for example.

[Luke 42083]

It's only periodic though and not on every use.

[dcook 299]

Even for lifetime membership?  Why would it be required to check status if its lifetime since it would never expire?

 

 

It's only periodic though and not on every use.

[mastrmind11 722]

Even for lifetime membership?  Why would it be required to check status if its lifetime since it would never expire?

Because lifetime will expire w/ a major version change, which would require a validation.  As suggested above, use a Kodi client.  You don't get the nice grid for live tv but live tv is still there, and doesn't require a premiere membership.

[Scott D 69]

I have tried a similar set-up as well.  I also have a 2nd home/cabin that did not have internet.  My initial intent was to set-up a server with all of my local media that could be played on one of several devices in the cabin.  I purchased a lifetime subscription.  A few problems jumped up right away:

 

1. The server does need to phone home on occassion.  If you are like me and don't get there very often, it will seem to happen every time you go there since it appears to be based on time and not the number of start-ups.
2. Some devices are required to have internet connection to work.  I have a few Samsung TV's with Emby installed.  They won't even load the player unless there is internet available.  I'm not sure if other devices have the same requirement, but wouldn't be surprised.

 

You can get around the phone home requirement by attaching your server to your cell phone set-up as a hot spot.  It doesn't take much data to validate.  Once it is confirmed it should run for your stay.  If not, reconnect the hotspot, let it validate and disconnect.

 

If you have no internet, as is sometimes the problem at my cabin (even with cell phone), you may need to just go with a Kodi set-up.  I solved all of my problems by adding a minimal internet service to the cabin.  I put it to good use by installing a few cameras, remote thermostat, security system and lighting.

[ebr 16187]

Because lifetime will expire w/ a major version change, which would require a validation.  

 

That isn't the reason .

 

The reason the server and Premiere apps must have a periodic connection is that the Premiere licences all carry with them a device limit that must be validated.

[Scott D 69]

That isn't the reason .

 

The reason the server and Premiere apps must have a periodic connection is that the Premiere licences all carry with them a device limit that must be validated.

 

 

EBR - With the system I have described as well as the system dcook is describing, would it not be desirable to have a method of validation that would allow any apps (and server) that has validated with a lifetime membership to continue to operate even after the loss of internet connectivity. 

Since there is no streaming outside of the local network, the addition of devices would not occur.

 

If additional devices are added, they (devices, server and new device(s)) would need to attach to the internet for validation, and then be allowed until the next additional device.

 

Because cellular services is often spotty at best when you get outside metro areas, the current operation is not optimum.  I often allow friends to visit while I am not there and the option of attaching to their cellular connection for validation is not an easy process.  As I stated in my post above, it became necessary to add internet connectivity just for the validation of devices and server.  An expense I would have rather not been required to create.

[dcook 299]

There is no cell service where my cabin is, so connecting Emby even temporary via hotspot will not work.

 

Looks like I will have to find another solution, its really a shame that Emby has such a big limitation requiring Internet service.

 

I was hoping that once I have my library setup Emby would work find with a lifetime license.

[dcook 299]

@@Luke why does the server need the internet to determine how many devices? 

Why can't it just keep track on its own?

 

The server should be able to see which devices are connected to it, and I don't see why it would require to have the internet in order to count them?

[naeonline 27]

That's because you can have multiple servers using the same key.  Say I buy the lifetime + lifetime 45 device packages, then use that on my home server and vacation home server.  By having only the server itself validate the devices I could then use up 45 devices at 'home' and then another 45 at the 'vacation home' essentially doubling my actual purchased value (triple for 3 servers and so on...). This setup would be ripe for abuse.  Now obviously I don't think anyone on this thread would do that without paying for it, but if someone were able to buy a single lifetime 15-device limit license and only have the server validate instead of a central location (@EMBY) then essentially they could build up a server farm as host to thousands of devices and only paying for EMBY once.

 

I do agree it is frustrating if you don't have internet.

 

Perhaps there can be a model where, with a lifetime purchase one could select that the EMBY Server gets activated a single time and is set as validating premiere devices itself, but that key is now 'locked' to that EMBY Server.

[Scott D 69]

While I agree that securing the licenses based on the package purchased is necessary, there should be a way to establish a server with only internal access and comply with the license agreement.

 

I'm not a developer or coder, so I have no clue what it would take to code this into the system, but...

 

Just a thought:
1. Server 1 is not on the internet, but must be configured at a location that does (Home).
2. All devices that will be attached are available and attached to the same network.  Lets say 10 devices.
3. Connection is established to the @ server and a "LIFETIME ONLY" license is validated.
4. 10 devices plus the server are validated, registered, recorded and unlocked.  Or whatever info is deemed necessary.
5. I pack up my network equipment and move it to another location with NO internet.
6. Rebuild the network and kick back and enjoy!

 

Now lets say I decide to add that second server.  This one has internet services (or not).

1. Server 2 is on the internet and will be configured with, lets say 5 devices.
2. Server phones home to @ and attempts to register the same server key with 5 additional devices.
3.  All goes well, and users are happily bingeing till their hearts are content.  Developers are happy too!

 

Now, one of the servers wants to add an additional device.  This would require an active internet connection to validate.  If none is available, the device is either denied or limited, but the validated network remains.  If there is internet service, the attempt would be denied based on the current license agreement.  Options to upgrade are offered, more money flows into developers accounts.  All are happy.

 

If Server 1 wants to add additional devices it would be necessary to relocate the entire network or provide temporary internet connectivity.  A bit of a pain, but sure beats the $50/month to maintain internet service that is only used a few days out of a year.  Personally, I would rather put the money into the accounts of the developers than in the accounts of an ISP.

[dcook 299]

Makes sense to me Scott, I don't see why it could not work like that.

I am fine with having my server phone home once during the setup to establish that my license is legit, but it should not need to phone home every week or two.

 

As I understand it Emby is designed to be a server to play your own media that you own, so really there should be no dependence on having Internet connection.

 

@@Luke can you change it to what Scott described? 

Or perhaps simply give us the choice to bind our license to a specific server?

 

Just a simple checkbox in the Emby Settings:  Bind this Server to Premiere License XXXXXXX Yes or No? 

If Yes then an entry is made in your database so you know that this Premiere key can't be used with other servers.

[Luke 42083]

Yes improvements are possible here, thanks.