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Direct Access (Port Forwarding)

 

Since the RainMachine devices are "cloud-independent by design", RainMachine Direct Access feature facilitates RainMachine users to access and control their RainMachine devices from anywhere without the need of a cloud connectivity. 

Set Up a Static IP Address for RainMachine device
Set Up Port Forwarding to: RainMachine_Static_IP:8080
Use Direct Access to control your RainMachine
Use Dynamic DNS services
Troubleshooting
Resources

 

Note: When accessing the RainMachine through the Direct Access feature the smart integrations for the RainMachine will not be available. Those will be available when using Remote Access with Premium Services Subscription starting June 8 2022.

 

1) Set Up a Static IP Address for RainMachine device

Use the router to set up a static IP address. Do this because the RainMachine device needs an unchanging address in order to be accessible.

  1. Access the router as admin (find the instruction on the router website or manual).

  2. Locate a Client List, DHCP Pool, DHCP Reservation, or similar section of the settings. The section lists the devices currently connected to the router. The IP address of the RainMachine device is listed along with its custom name.

  3. Look for a way to reserve one of those IP addresses to tie it with that RainMachine device so that the router always uses it when the device requests an IP address. You might need to select the IP address from a list or choose Add or Reserve.

The above steps are generic since static IP address assignment is different for each router. Instructions differ if you need to reserve IP addresses for NETGEAR routers, edit DHCP settings on Google devices, or configure DHCP reservation on Linksys routers.


2) Set Up Port Forwarding to: RainMachine_Static_IP:8080

Now that you know the RainMachine device Static IP address and it has been configured to stop changing, access the router and set up the port forwarding settings.

  1. Log in to the router as admin. You need to know the router's IP address, username, and password.

  2. Locate the port forwarding options. These are different for every router but might be called something like Port Forwarding, Port Triggering, Applications & Gaming, or Port Range Forwarding. These might be buried within other categories of settings like Network, Wireless, or Advanced.

  3. Type the port number or port range that you want to forward. If you're forwarding one port, type the same number under both the Internal and External boxes. For port ranges, use the Start and End boxes.

  4. Choose a protocol, either TCP or UDP ports. Choose both, if needed. This information should be available from the program or game that explains the port number.

  5. Type the RainMachine static IP address that you setup on step 1) and use RainMachine port 8080.
    Note: For other RainMachine ports click here.

    If asked, name the port trigger anything that makes sense to you. Call it RainMachine if you need the port open for your RainMachine.

  6. Enable the port forwarding rule with an Enable or On option. 

Some routers have a port forward setup wizard that makes it easier to configure. For example, the router might first give you a list of devices already using a static IP address and then let you choose the protocol and port number from there.

If you need to set up port forward to multiple RainMachine devices connected to the same network,  use something like:

Router_Public_IP:Port_85 -> RainMachine_1_Static_IP:8080
Router_Public_IP:Port_86 -> RainMachine_2_Static_IP:8080

Note: For other RainMachine ports click here.


3) Use Direct Access to control your RainMachine

After you set up the port forwarding to the RainMachine Static IP address and port 8080 you will need your Internet router PUBLIC IP address (unique address set for you by your internet service provider).

Type this address to find out your router PUBLIC IP address: https://www.whatismypublicip.com


Using RainMachine Web app

  1. Type the PUBLIC IP address into a desktop web browser like:
    https://207.46.13.124:81 that points to the RainMachine Static IP address on your router (you just set it up on the step 2) like 192.168.0.102:8080 (mind the :8080 port)

  2. The RainMachine Web app login page should open up if everything is correctly set up on your router side and the PUBLIC IP is working

When using the RainMachine iOS or Android mobile apps

  1. Open the RainMachine mobile app and tap on the upper lift side hamburger menu
  2. Choose Network Settings, the tap on Direct Access
  3. Tap on Add Device (+)
  4. Enter a custom name and on the URL or IP address enter your PUBLIC IP that port forwards to your RainMachine. In our example is https://207.46.13.124:81
  5. Tap Save
  6. Go back to DEVICES screen and you should see your Direct Access device listed. Tap on it to access it and if everything is successful, you'll be asked to enter the RainMachine password to be able to access and control your RainMachine device from anywhere.

 

Use Dynamic DNS Services

If the PUBLIC IP address is not available to you or you are not able to purchase from the internet service provider, use the workaround involving setting up a dynamic DNS service.

noip.com
   Note: This service still requires port forwarding being successfully set up, but it will bypass the need of a static Public IP address.
   1) Create a free account
   2) Setup a hostname
   3) Download and install Dynamic Update Client (DUC) on your computer
   4) Login with your account
   5) Select your hostname and check if it is pointing to your router Public IP address used to port forwarding into RainMachine local IP
   6) Save it and test it by accessing the hostname (eg: yourname.no-ip.com) with your desktop browser. If the RainMachine Web app loads and asks for the RainMachine password, then the process is successful.
   7) Keep the DUC service running on your computer to automatically change the Public IP to the new generated one and keep your no-ip hostname alive.
   8) Use the no-ip hostname address to add your RainMachine on your mobile apps using the Direct Access feature.

For more support about noip.com setup and functionality go to https://www.noip.com/support/

ngrok.com
   Note: This service does not require port forwarding or a PUBLIC IP address being set up.
  1) Sign up and get a free account
  2) Download ngrok client on your desktop that is connected to the same local network as your RainMachine device
  3) Get the RainMachine static IP address from the device itself or from the Wi-Fi router admin interface (like 192.168.1.100)
  4) Open a terminal/cmd window
  5) Type ngrok 192.168.1.100:8081 (note the :8081 port) and press Enter
  6) If successful, the ngrok tunnel will be created and your RainMachine will be available through the generated forward https:// url provided by ngrok service.
You should see the "Forwarding" generated url listed on the screen, like
Forwarding https://0f95-8-5-102-154.##.ngrok.io -> http://192.168.1.100:8081
  7) Copy the https://0f95-8-5-102-154.##.ngrok.io generated forwarding url and use it to setup the Direct Access feature on the RainMachine mobile apps or to access the RainMachine Local Web app from anywhere using a desktop web browser.

Please follow the detailed setup steps for ngrok here.

IMPORTANT: Using the Free Plan, ngrok forwarding address is volatile and you will lose it if the terminal/cmd window will be closed. As long as your desktop is powered on and the ngrok service window is running, the generated forward address will be available. Another forwarding address will be generated when you start the ngrok process once again and that address should be changed on the RainMachine mobile apps - Direct Access to be able to access the RainMachine again.

To avoid this, ngrok offers paid subscription plans that provides non-volatile forwarding address.

For more support about ngrok setup and functionality go to https://ngrok.com/docs

 

Troubleshooting

Not able to connect using Direct Access?

Make sure your ports are forwarded correctly in your router to one of the RainMachine port.
Need help visit portforward.com

RainMachine Touch 1st Gen Model (HD-12 Sold before July 2015) ports

Port 443 or 18443

RainMachine Mini-8, Touch HD-12/16 and Pro-8/16 models ports

Port 8080 (https protocol)

Port 8081 (http protocol)

Port 80 (http protocol with redirect to RainMachine Local Web app saved on device itself)

Port 443 (https protocol with redirect to RainMachine Local Web app saved on device itself)


Internet Provider Router Firewall - Generally most firewalls don't block ports internally, but if you get caught in this situation, here are some common ports RainMachine use internally. 
Make sure that these ports are allowed and there is an exception into your internet provider router firewall:

8000 - Remote Access through RainMachine Cloud Servers

8997 - RainMachine Mobile App to send verification emails

9000 - Outbound to discover sprinklers remotely

61000-610xx depending on number of valves, these ports are being used local Amazon Alexa smart integration.

Note: Your internet provide router needs to be updated to its latest firmware version and the RainMachine device needs a strong password.

More port forwarding instructions:

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