This document outlines how to install Tailscale on a Linux-based Roon Server machine and configure it for accessing ARC on a phone outside the home network. 

STEP ONE

Install Tailscale on Linux

If you’re new to Tailscale, you’ll first need to create a free Tailscale account.

For your Linux machine running RoonServer, go to the Tailscale website and use the appropriate installation script from their list. Tailscale is supported on most Ubuntu, Debian, and Arch distributions. Most Linux distributions can use the one-line curl command to install Tailscale.

If you are having trouble, please refer to Tailscale’s instructions and support resources for your specific Linux distribution.

STEP TWO

Install Tailscale on iOS/Android

On your phone, download the Tailscale app and install it.

      iOS: https://tailscale.com/download/ios

      Android: https://tailscale.com/download/android

STEP THREE

Setup Tailscale

Tailscale uses something called a Subnet to group devices together. Imagine if your phone in Australia and your computer in Argentina are running on the same virtual network — that’s what Tailscale Subnets do.

Now, let’s go into Tailscale and create a shared subnet for your Roon Server and ARC.

How to set up a subnet?

1. On your PC, open the Tailscale Administration Settings page in Tailscale → Settings → Accounts → Administration or by visiting this URL and logging in: https://login.tailscale.com/admin/machines

2. Next, scroll down to where you see your devices listed under Machines. You should see the IP addresses for your phone and your RoonServer machine listed in a table. 

3. Check to see if the IP addresses are on the same subnet.
   
   

Devices using the same Tailscale subnet will share an IP address except for the very last few digits. 

For example:

• 100.106.12.93 

• 100.106.15.99 

Are on separate subnets. This user would have to change the second IP address to match the subnet of the first.

4. If the IP addresses for your RoonServer machine and phone are on different subnets, then click the three dots on the right of the table and select “Edit Machine IPv4” for the second device.

5. Copy and paste the IP address from the other machine and then change the last digit. 

6. Now they should have matching subnet addresses. Now, your IPs should look like this:

STEP FOUR

Test Tailscale

1. Restart RoonServer and ARC on your Linux machine and your phone.

1. Turn off WIFi, leaving only the cellular data connection. Open the settings page in ARC and look for “Connected” to see if ARC is working.

2. If not connected, go into Roon and disable port forwarding. Go to → Settings → Roon ARC and enter “0” in the box for “Port”. If successfully disabled, you should see “Not Ready”
   
   
   
   

1. Some networks have port ranges reserved. If 0 or another number is not accepted as input in the “Port” box, try a few different numbers until the “Not Ready” status displays. 

Note: If you haven’t performed your initial library sync with ARC, we recommend syncing for the first time using a WiFi connection. Next, turn on cellular data only (disable WiFi) and test the Tailscale connection.

STEP FIVE: FURTHER RESOURCES 

If you’re still having difficulty using ARC with Tailscale, please post on Roon Community in the #tinkering category, where users are accumulating Tailscale/ARC expertise. 

We recommend engaging Tailscale support directly - they offer robust and responsive support and are better equipped to troubleshoot within the Tailscale app itself than Roon support. Please see their Support page here to reach their team.