"Proxying images and videos through openHAB"

Setup, Configuration and Use Items & Sitemaps
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1

I’m searching for a way to include local resources from the LAN and found the following thread which seems to address this exact topic: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/openhab/eag6cUqRTaU

My problem now is that I don’t know how to accomplish this. What must I include as a plugin, if necessary, and what’s the syntax to use in the sitemap?

Here is an excerpt from its JavaDoc:

  • The proxy servlet is used by image and video widgets. As its name suggests, it proxies the content, so
  • that it is possible to include resources (images/videos) from the LAN in the openHAB UI. This is
  • especially useful for webcams as you would not want to make them directly available to the internet.
  • The servlet registers as “/proxy” and expects the two parameters “sitemap” and “widgetId”. It will
  • hence provide the data of the url specified in the according widget. Note that it does NOT allow
  • general access to any servers in the LAN - only urls that are specified in a sitemap are accessible.
  • It is also possible to use credentials in a url, e.g. “http://user:pwd@localserver/image.jpg” -
  • the proxy servlet will be able to access the content and provide it to the openHAB UIs through the
  • standard openHAB authentication mechanism (if enabled).
  • This servlet also supports data streams, such as a webcam video stream etc.
2

Add images or other web pages/web elements to the sitemap using the Image, Video, or Webview elements. Each of these elements take a URL which points at the resource you want to load. See the sitemap wiki page.

No plugins or direct access to the proxy servlet is necessary.

3

Thank you @rlkoshak for answering. Ok but does this apply also to local content which I want to access externally? My guess is, from trials, no it does not.

If I point to a local resource say 192.168.0.xxx:8080/image.jpg or 192.168.0.xxx:8080/mjpegstream.php the client UI should be redirected by the OH server. This is why I found the proxy servlet mentioned in my first post suitable. Although this functionality I would actually expect to find in a fresh install of OH and maybe its there but the problem is I don’t know how to use it?

Also would it be possible to point to a local resource which is not on a server, e.g. ~/images/tempchart.png (I’m running Raspbian Jessie). Perhaps through a file:// pointer? And if possible, what permissions must be set for these files? Is it enough with read access for the openhab user?

4

You should be able to point at local files one if two ways.

Put a copy of the file or a symbolic link to the file in the webapps folder.

The second is to use the file:// URL format. I’m not positive this works but so long as the openHAB user has permission to read the file it should work. If you use a relative path, it must be relative to the folder openHAB was started in. I’m not sure what that folder is when it us started as a service and it is probably better practice to use full path.

1 Like
5

Hi @rlkoshak

I have a question regarding the proxy.

It seems like I’m unable to access my MJPEG cameras when I’m connected to my local network.

Even if I’m locally connected I get a proxy URL.

Any pointers you could give me?

Cheers.

6

I’m afraid not. I’ve not set this up myself yet so all my knowledge is strictly theoretical. I don’t know enough to troubleshoot problems like this.

7

Hey @rlkoshak,

Do you know anyone that could help on solving this issue?

8

Hi!

This feels somehow related to my issue in the following thread.

But I might be wrong, which happens now and then and sometimes also in the time in between. :slight_smile: