Minimalistic web server on Scale suggestion

TrueNAS General
1

I would appreciate your suggestion on how to handle this. Once a year I need a web server for SSL certificate issuance validation - you know, the one when SSL issuer validates you by trying to read a specifically named file from a specifically named directory on a webserver from the SSL’s IP. I need this for my Home Assistant SSL.

I was hoping to have this done by utilizing TrueNAS Scale I just configured but since Electric Eel version is so new, there are no walkthroughs or apps on it. I’m pretty sure it can be done and dont want to waste other’s time by requesting walkthroughs - but suggestions definitely welcome.

I tried looking up how to run docker containers on Electric Eel, but havent found one that would help me yet.

I tried installing VMs on the server but none, Linux of Windows, can even start the setup - giving me AppArmour errors blocking access to etc/ssl.config (I have another post on this).

So, Im kind of stuck right now. Still trying to learn docker stuff but havent found a direction yet

2

I don’t believe there’s a general web server app for EE, but Caddy is my go-to choice for a web server or reverse proxy, and it could easily be run as a custom app. Their suggested compose file is here:

…though Caddy’s also quite capable of obtaining certs by itself automatically, rather than the manual process you’re currently using with your (presumably paid) provider.

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3

Thank you for the recommendation, I’ll read up on it and try to run it in docker EE - it’s all new to me.

There is, probably, a better way to get SSLs but my cursory reading into LetsEncrypt, which is what I assume Caddy uses for free auto SSLs, requires opening port 80 every 90 days, which I really didnt want do. At the moment I pay like $3 for a year of SSL and dont have to bother with it every 3 months.

But, again, others’ suggestions welcome.
Thank you,

4

Why not use letsencrypt with DNS-01 challenge? It’s free. I assume you already have a domain name?

DNS-01 challenge does not require any open ports. You can also get wildcard certificate that way.

5

That’s the thing, I dont have a domain, I use ddns.net forwarding - cant do domain verification

6

…then you have a domain.

7

:slight_smile:
I guess that qualifies as having a domain, but I cant place any files there for verification - all I get is DNS forwarding

8

There are some places where you can get free domain names that work with DNS-01. Here is an example of one: dnsapi · acmesh-official/acme.sh Wiki · GitHub. Otherwise cheap domain names are only like 4$ per year.

But back to the original question:
If I need a quick and temporary webserver to serve static files I do the following:

  • ssh into my TrueNAS using my user
  • cd into the directory whose files I wish to share
  • run python -m http.server 8080 (in a tmux session if I need the webserver a bit longer)
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9

OMG!!! OMFG!!!
I’M EXTATIC!
THANK YOU

Exactly what I was lookin for. Wow!

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