How to Set Up Blue Iris Server and Stunnel for Remote Access

Are you looking to access your Blue Iris server remotely? With the right setup, you can view and control your security cameras from anywhere. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of setting up Blue Iris server and Stunnel for remote access.

Step 1: Create an A Record in Domain Host

To begin, create an A record in your domain host's DNS zone editor. The exact location may vary depending on your domain host, but it's usually found under the 'Domain' or 'DNS Zone' section.

Step 2: Install Stunnel

Next, install Stunnel on your computer. During installation, you'll be prompted to enter some basic information. Make sure to reserve the IP address of your Blue Iris server to ensure it receives the same IP every time it boots up.

Step 3: Configure Stunnel Ports

Forward the HTTP port (81) and HTTPS port (443) you chose in Blue Iris to the MAC address or IP address of your Blue Iris server. In SharpTools, you'll need this information later to build the URL.

Step 4: Create a Username and Password

Create a username and password for Stunnel. Make sure to use something more secure than 'MyUsername' and 'MyPassword'.

Step 5: Configure General Settings

In the General tab of Stunnel, make sure the Name and Short Name are filled in meaningfully. You may also want to read up on HTTPS and Stunnel in the Blue Iris help file for a better understanding.

Step 6: Disable Secure Session Keys and Login Page

Unselect the option to use secure session keys and login page. This will allow SharpTools to pass the username and password in the Media Tile.

Step 7: Enable HTTP Port (Stunnel/NGROK)

Choose a port that doesn't conflict with an existing device. If you don't need HTTPS access from outside your local network, you may be able to use Stunnel's self-signed certificates. In my case, I already had a domain with SSL certificates, so I didn't need to create new ones.

By following these steps, you should now have a working Blue Iris server and Stunnel setup for remote access. Remember to set up your Blue Iris software and make sure it's running before attempting to access it remotely. For more information on setting up Blue Iris with Stunnel, check out our bread crumbs link.

For those who are new to setting up their own website, the information in this article may be overwhelming. However, for those who have experience with domain hosting and DNS zones, this guide should provide a helpful resource for setting up Blue Iris server and Stunnel for remote access.

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