Local expose with local domain "fritz.box"

I want to open the app “qdirstat” via http(s)://qdirstat.fritz.box by exposing local.

Setup is:
fritz.box (router, 192.168.4.1) with dns & dhcp service active.
server (thinkcentre, 192.168.4.11) with runtipi.
qdirstat installed from “migrated”.
local domain in runtipi set to “fritz.box”.

This works: open application via 192.168.4.11:7125
This fails: open application via http(s)://qdirstat.fritz.box

Any hints or ideas where to look?

Thx, Tom

Hello @togude :wave:

We will need more precision on how it fails to access “http(s)://qdirstat.fritz.box”.
What is the displayed message on your web browser ?
Is it only happening with qdirstat ?

I tried on my side and was able to access qdirstat through local domain without issue.
The best I can do right now is to enounce how to make this work.

To access your app through local domain :

Warning

You will also need to configure your DNS to redirect all subdomains *.fritz.box or at least qdirstat.fritz.box to your runtipi instance.
This configuration will depend on your DNS server.
I believe this is where you should be lookin for.

If you have more details to share, I will try to add more precision.

1 Like

Hello Lancelot,
I have read your answer. Thank you so far.
I will try to collect further information next week.
Regards, Tom

Hello Lancelot,

thanks for your hints. So I have more information to share.

Currently, I am using the standard setup from my router. This means:

  • 192.168.4.1 is my FritzBox router
  • The router is configured to do DNS and DHCP

Regarding DNS looking up this means:
fritz.box → 192.168.4.1 (router)
thinkcentre.fritz.box → 192.168.4.11 (runtipi)
tipi → “server can’t find tipi: NXDOMAIN”

So for me it looks like I cannot use the local domain logic, because I have not option to change the DNS setting in the FritzBox to point to runtipi instead of the router.

At the moment I only see the option to disable DNS/DHCP on the router and use another server to provide DNS & DHCP. (may be with pihole or adguard?)

Thanks, Tom

Hello again,

Yes, having your own DNS server is the best solution.
PiHole and AdGuard are both viable choice.

Personally I use Adguard with a DNS rewrite to *.tipi.lan.
I prefer keeping the default DHCP service on my router.*

I also recommend using another domain than fritz.box to not mess with your router.
Something like tipi.lan suits better but you can use whatever pleases you as long as you are managing your DNS.

* NB : managing your own DHCP is not mandatory because you can still edit the DNS settings separately on your devices.
You will have a better control over it but if your Adguard or PiHole encounter a problem it will cause more troubles.

Anyway, it’s a matter of choice, I suggest trying different things and decide what suits you better.

I basically have the same problem.

For example, I can find my Fedora computer under its host name in the network.
I think we have fundamentally misunderstood something.

Hello @bbtuxi :waving_hand:

The explanation and the solution are in the previous messages.
I will try to reformulate. (jump to citation for quick answer)

When you request for fedora.fritz.box, it’s up to your DNS server (your Fritzbox router) to answer which IP to reach.
In your local network, devices registers themselves through DHCP which create a DNS entry for each of them.

Why fedora is found but not qdirstat ?

The container of your app qdirstat is not in your local network, it belongs to a docker network inside your runtipi host.

Your router is not aware of your app existence and won’t create a DNS entry for it.

To solve this, refer to my previous message.

I hope this was helpful.
Let me know if you still have questions.