Fixing IP Display Issues In Home Assistant Clustering

by Admin 54 views
Incorrect IP being shown for clustering (or user error)

Hey guys! So, I've been wrestling with a weird issue in my Home Assistant setup, and I figured I'd throw it out there to see if anyone else has bumped into this. I'm running Technitium DNS, with a primary setup on an Ubuntu server and a secondary setup as an add-on within Home Assistant. After upgrading to version 14.0.1 (thanks for that, by the way!), I noticed something fishy with the IP addresses being displayed for the cluster. Let's dive into this, shall we?

The Bug: Unveiling the Mystery of the Incorrect IP

The core problem? The Home Assistant add-on is stubbornly displaying the internal Docker IP (172.30.33.3) instead of the actual machine IP. This is a bit of a head-scratcher because I've already configured a static IP for the Home Assistant machine, which I use as a secondary DNS server. So, it's pretty crucial that the correct IP gets shown for the clustering to work as expected. The primary setup on the Ubuntu server seems to be working just fine, acting as the cluster owner without any issues. However, the add-on is stuck on that internal Docker IP, no matter what I try. I’ve fiddled with the settings, double-checked configurations, and even triple-checked, but that internal IP just won't budge. This is the main reason why the clustering is not working correctly because the addon is not able to see the correct IP. I am not sure if it is my fault or something else. I am just hoping to bring this up to spark a discussion.

Detailed Breakdown of the Issue

  • Environment: Home Assistant add-on with Technitium DNS, version 14.0.1.
  • Symptom: The add-on's cluster configuration displays the Docker internal IP instead of the external (or static) IP of the host machine.
  • Impact: Prevents proper clustering setup and communication between the primary (Ubuntu server) and secondary (Home Assistant add-on) DNS servers.
  • Troubleshooting Steps Taken: Checked network configurations, reviewed add-on settings, and ensured static IP is set on the Home Assistant machine. The problem remains even after these initial steps. I suspect this might be a bug or misconfiguration.

How to Reproduce the Issue: A Step-by-Step Guide

Reproducing this isn't too complicated It's a matter of setting up the add-on and then peeking at the cluster settings. I've outlined the exact steps below, so you can try it yourself and see if you get the same results:

  1. Install the Add-on: First things first, install the Technitium DNS add-on within Home Assistant.

  2. Navigate to Cluster Settings: Head over to the add-on's configuration interface. Usually, you'd find this under the 'Administration' section, then select 'Cluster'.

  3. Initiate Cluster Setup: Choose either to create a new cluster or join an existing one (in my case, I'm trying to join the cluster managed by my Ubuntu server).

  4. Inspect the IP Address: Click on the option that displays the IP address that will be used for the cluster. This is where you'll see the problem.

    • Expected Behavior: The machine's actual IP address should be shown. This is the static IP that's configured on your Home Assistant machine.
    • Observed Behavior: Instead of the expected IP, you'll see the internal Docker IP (172.30.33.3).

Additional Considerations for Reproduction

  • Network Configuration: Ensure your Home Assistant machine has a static IP address configured on your local network. This is crucial as the cluster needs to know the correct IP for communication.
  • Firewall Rules: Double-check that there are no firewall rules blocking traffic between your primary DNS server (Ubuntu) and the Home Assistant add-on.
  • Add-on Version: Make sure you're using version 14.0.1 of the Technitium DNS add-on, as this is where I've observed the issue.

Expected Behavior vs. Reality: The Disconnect

What I'm expecting is for the add-on to show the correct machine IP. This is important for the clustering to work smoothly. Ideally, the cluster should be able to communicate effectively, and the secondary DNS server should be able to synchronize its settings with the primary server.

However, what I am seeing is the internal Docker IP, which, of course, isn't going to work. This disconnect is the heart of the issue. When the cluster shows the wrong IP, the secondary DNS server can't connect to the primary server using the right address. This means any changes made on the primary server won't get replicated to the secondary server. The main problem with this setup is that the secondary DNS server will not be able to get the right information from the primary DNS server. Basically, the clustering setup falls apart.

Delving Deeper into the Expected Behavior

  • Accurate IP Display: The add-on should accurately display the host machine's public or static IP, allowing for external DNS queries and proper cluster synchronization.
  • Seamless Communication: The primary and secondary DNS servers should be able to exchange data and keep their configurations in sync. Any updates on the primary server should be reflected on the secondary server without any manual intervention.
  • Network Accessibility: The DNS server should be accessible from any device on your network and the internet, depending on your setup. This is achieved by ensuring that the correct IP is displayed and that your network configuration allows for external queries.

Screenshots: Visualizing the Problem

I have included some screenshots that show the exact problem, so you can see what I'm dealing with. Visuals always help, right?

Add-on View: The Culprit in Action

This is what I see in the add-on's interface. You can clearly see the internal Docker IP being displayed here. It's like the add-on is stuck in its own little world.

Add-on View Image

Docker View: Confirming the Internal IP

This screenshot shows what's happening within the normal docker. This just confirms that the internal Docker IP is indeed what the add-on is seeing. It's the same IP that the add-on is displaying.

Docker View Image

Additional Context: What Else Might Be at Play?

Just in case this is something I messed up, I wanted to get your thoughts on it. I also thought it might be something that can be supported, if possible. I am just hoping to bring this up to spark a discussion.

Potential Causes

  • Add-on Configuration Issues: Maybe there's a setting I overlooked within the add-on that's causing this. The cluster configuration itself may have some hidden settings.
  • Network Configuration: There could be something amiss with my Home Assistant machine's network setup. The way my static IP is configured might be interfering with the add-on.
  • Docker Networking: It's possible that the Docker networking itself is the root cause. If the Docker container is misconfigured, it might not be able to properly see the host machine's external IP.
  • Software Bug: Of course, there's always a chance this is a bug in the add-on itself. It might be a known issue, or something that needs to be brought to the developer's attention.

My Current Setup

  • Home Assistant Version: The latest stable version.
  • Technitium DNS Add-on Version: 14.0.1.
  • Network: Static IP configured for the Home Assistant machine.
  • Primary DNS: Running on an Ubuntu server.

Conclusion: Seeking Solutions and Community Insights

So, there you have it, folks! I'm hoping that by sharing this, we can figure out what's going on. Is this a common issue? Have any of you encountered something similar? Any ideas on how to fix this would be awesome. I'm all ears. If it's a bug, maybe we can get it sorted out in a future update. Thanks for taking the time to read through this, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts and suggestions. Let's get this clustering working right!

Call to Action

  • Share Your Experiences: If you've had similar issues, please share your experience. Did you find a fix? What did you try?
  • Suggest Troubleshooting Steps: If you have any troubleshooting tips, please share them. Every little bit helps.
  • Check Your Own Setup: Take a look at your own Home Assistant setup, especially if you're running Technitium DNS in a similar configuration. See if you're seeing the same behavior.
  • Provide Feedback: Any comments, suggestions, or insights are highly appreciated. Let's collaborate and get this fixed! And thanks again for the awesome work on the project!