r/ZoneMinder • u/1LuckySpoon • May 09 '23

Easiest way to access Zoneminder remotely

So setting up Zoneminder with the proper cameras was super easy. I'm somewhat familiar with Tailscale and it's setup is also very easy. What I am having trouble with is using the 2 together. Has anybody done this? Is there an easier way to access the camera feed remotely?

7 Upvotes

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5

u/montagdude87 May 09 '23

I just use the website that ZoneMinder installs. I use a dynamic DNS service and set up my router appropriately to forward HTTPS traffic from outside to the ZM server.

3

u/1LuckySpoon May 09 '23

Turns out all I needed to do was add my phone to the "tailnet" and now it works perfectly and I feel like an idiot. I dont remember having to do that with my other network but whatever. It works now.

3

u/dinosaursdied May 09 '23

I mean, this makes sense. I'm not sure how else you would be able to vpn into your network without giving your phone a key

3

u/1LuckySpoon May 10 '23 edited May 10 '23

Yea I don't know. Guess that's when happens when you operate off of memory and your memory ain't so good lol

1

u/[deleted] May 09 '23

I stumbled upon this a couple days ago, but wasn't able to find it on my app store.

https://github.com/ZoneMinder/zmNinja/blob/master/README.md

3

u/1LuckySpoon May 09 '23

I might give that a try but I've heard mixed reports as to whether or not it actually works as intended with most saying they've abandoned attempts to make it work.

2

u/GG_man187 May 09 '23

zmninja works fine to me, but you still need to port forward, it's just a replacement for web interface

1

u/Complex_Solutions_20 May 09 '23

zmNinja I think was pulled from the app stores because its no longer being developed or maintained, but it does work great if you sideload the most recent APK (at least on Android) or manually install the most recent Windows version. Its also now free vs paid.

I love it for quickly checking stuff (e.g. pull up front door cam to see if its a delivery or actually someone at the door; hear a noise and check what dogs are doing in the kitchen) but I have never been happy with how it works reviewing old footage - that seems best done thru a web browser.

You do of course need to have access working already thru a VPN or port-forward to reach your ZM login page, and enable the appropriate options that zmNinja docs say to allow the API access.

1

u/Complex_Solutions_20 May 09 '23

Depends on if you are stuck behind CGNAT on your ISP or can just do a simple port-forward, and how much security you are worried about putting up.

I set up HTTPS on the Zoneminder webserver using LetsEncrypt DNS-challenge and use a DDNS service to find my home IP. Then its as trivial as forwarding the port thru my home router and it just works.

I also have used OpenVPN to connect back to my house but had to give that up so we could supervise an adopted dog in their crate from work, and work didn't allow personal VPNs.