# Automatization of port renewal with PIA (Windows GUI) **URL:** \ **Category:** Node Operators\ **Tags:** windows-gui, vpn, useful-tools\ **Created:** [April 23, 2021, 4:47pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/automatization-of-port-renewal-with-pia-windows-gui/13349 "2021-04-23T16:47:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![contributing-javelin](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/letter_avatar/contributing-javelin/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@contributing-javelin](https://forum.storj.io/u/contributing-javelin)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2021, 4:47pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/automatization-of-port-renewal-with-pia-windows-gui/13349/1 "2021-04-23T16:47:41Z")
I am also behind CGNAT, here is how I got it working: 1. I already had a PIA (Private Internet Access) subscription which supports port forwarding 2. Used the split tunnel option in PIA to only route the storj node exe through the VPN. 3. Enabled port forwarding in PIA 4. Used [GitHub - skibish/ddns: Personal DDNS client with Digital Ocean Networking DNS as backend.](https://github.com/skibish/ddns) with a subdomain on a domain I own with the DNS hosted on DigitalOcean (note: also used split tunnel to only route the ddns.exe through the VPN to use the correct IP). I run this on startup with task scheduler with a delay of 1 minute to allow the VPN to start and connect. 5. Finally I created a little python script that uses the PIA CLI to get the active forwarded port (the ports expire after 2 months) and if it changed it updates the storj config file and restarts the storage node windows service. I run this also every 5 minutes using task scheduler. Here is what my config looks like (make a copy of your config before making any changes): ```auto # I changed this to 0.0.0.0 to allow access from other computers in my internal network, # This would be a security risk though if I am not behind CGNAT since it would allow access # from the internet console.address: 0.0.0.0:14002 # Here I put the subdomain I use for the DDNS # The first time I just entered the port PIA shows, then my script changes this automatically # when the port expires and PIA gets a new one contact.external-address: .:31189 identity.cert-path: C:\Users\ ****** \wh\storj\Identity\storagenode\identity.cert identity.key-path: C:\Users\ ****** \wh\storj\Identity\storagenode\identity.key log.level: info log.output: winfile:///C:\Program Files\Storj\Storage Node\\storagenode.log operator.email: *************************** @gmail.com operator.wallet: '0x ******************************************' operator.wallet-features: '' # This needs to be the same as the port in contact.external-address, also updated # automatically by my script when the PIA port changes, had to set it up the first time only server.address: :31189 server.private-address: 127.0.0.1:7778 storage.allocated-bandwidth: 0 B storage.allocated-disk-space: 550 GB storage.path: B:\ ``` Finally here is the python script (Must be run with admin privileges because it needs to access the program files directory to modify the storj node config): **Run at your own risk** Also has a dependency on PyYAML so you must install it using `pip install pyyaml ` ```python import re import yaml import subprocess from os import path pia_exe = "C:\Program Files\Private Internet Access\piactl.exe" cp = subprocess.run([pia_exe, "get", "portforward"], capture_output=True, text=True) stdout_pattern = r"[0-9]{5}" stdout_match = re.match(stdout_pattern, cp.stdout, flags=re.IGNORECASE) if not stdout_match: exit(1) portforward_status = stdout_match.group() with open("C:\Program Files\Storj\Storage Node\config.yaml", "r+") as storj_config: config = yaml.load(storj_config, Loader=yaml.SafeLoader) if config["server.address"] != f":{portforward_status}": # Delete existing contents and seek to start storj_config.truncate(0) storj_config.seek(0) # Write modified config config["server.address"] = f":{portforward_status}" config["contact.external-address"] = f"subdomain.domain.example:{portforward_status}" # Otherwise this will get dumped as an integer config["operator.wallet"] = hex(config["operator.wallet"]) yaml.dump(config, storj_config) # Stop & restart Storj service subprocess.run(["net", "stop", "storagenode"], check=True) subprocess.run(["net", "start", "storagenode"], check=True) ``` ---
**Author:** ![contributing-javelin](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/letter_avatar/contributing-javelin/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@contributing-javelin](https://forum.storj.io/u/contributing-javelin)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2021, 4:28pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/automatization-of-port-renewal-with-pia-windows-gui/13349/2 "2021-04-24T16:28:17Z")
Forgot to add that you must also add a firewall rule in windows firewall to allow incoming connections to the STORJ node exe from **any** port since the ports change regularly. ---
**Author:** ![Alexey](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/alexey/32/41_2.png) [@Alexey](https://forum.storj.io/u/Alexey)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2021, 4:32pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/automatization-of-port-renewal-with-pia-windows-gui/13349/3 "2021-04-24T16:32:10Z")
You can edit your post to add this info ---
**Author:** ![alotofthings](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/letter_avatar/alotofthings/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@alotofthings](https://forum.storj.io/u/alotofthings)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2021, 6:57pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/automatization-of-port-renewal-with-pia-windows-gui/13349/4 "2021-04-24T18:57:29Z")
Question regarding PIA. On your connection type is it set to UDP or TCP? And on Configuration method is it DCHP or Static? ---
**Author:** ![contributing-javelin](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/letter_avatar/contributing-javelin/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@contributing-javelin](https://forum.storj.io/u/contributing-javelin)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2021, 8:33pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/automatization-of-port-renewal-with-pia-windows-gui/13349/5 "2021-04-24T20:33:15Z")
I am connecting using WireGuard which runs over UDP. ---
**Author:** ![alotofthings](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/letter_avatar/alotofthings/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@alotofthings](https://forum.storj.io/u/alotofthings)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2021, 9:03pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/automatization-of-port-renewal-with-pia-windows-gui/13349/6 "2021-04-24T21:03:54Z")
Thank you. I appreciate you time and assistance. ---
**Author:** ![elnems30](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/letter_avatar/elnems30/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@elnems30](https://forum.storj.io/u/elnems30)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2021, 11:53pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/automatization-of-port-renewal-with-pia-windows-gui/13349/7 "2021-04-25T23:53:00Z")
please let me know if this issue fix your problem with status offline because i had same case. thanks ---
**Author:** ![alotofthings](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/letter_avatar/alotofthings/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@alotofthings](https://forum.storj.io/u/alotofthings)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2021, 2:39pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/automatization-of-port-renewal-with-pia-windows-gui/13349/8 "2021-04-26T14:39:48Z")
I am embarrassed to say I was not able to get it to work. I tried it on three computers to no avail. I had a friend come by and go through the steps with me on one of the PCs and he was just as surprised it did not work. Kind of disappointing. ---
**Author:** ![contributing-javelin](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/letter_avatar/contributing-javelin/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@contributing-javelin](https://forum.storj.io/u/contributing-javelin)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2021, 2:58pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/automatization-of-port-renewal-with-pia-windows-gui/13349/9 "2021-04-26T14:58:29Z")
What does your DDNS config look like? Did you make sure Windows firewall is not blocking the connection? ---
**Author:** ![alotofthings](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/letter_avatar/alotofthings/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@alotofthings](https://forum.storj.io/u/alotofthings)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2021, 1:21pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/automatization-of-port-renewal-with-pia-windows-gui/13349/10 "2021-04-27T13:21:50Z")
On my original post I did some screen shots showing the DDNS settings and windows firewall. At one point I had all ports open to Storj also without success. It must be something I am not think of now. I tried to post a torrent of some animations I gave away. As a poster of the torrent with up to 16 peers no one could connect to me. This was true behind my router and tested connected directly to modem. Original post: [Unable to get past OFFLINE in new setup on Windows 10 - Node Operators / troubleshooting - Storj Community Forum (official)](https://forum.storj.io/t/unable-to-get-past-offline-in-new-setup-on-windows-10/12953) ![vncviewer_2021-04-09_09-51-20](https://storj-s3.bcdn.literatehosting.net/original/2X/d/d7428a913ae113b577f52a7ecb25de9a79364d35.png) ---
**Author:** ![contributing-javelin](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/letter_avatar/contributing-javelin/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@contributing-javelin](https://forum.storj.io/u/contributing-javelin)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2021, 4:30pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/automatization-of-port-renewal-with-pia-windows-gui/13349/11 "2021-04-27T16:30:45Z")
I I understand correctly you currently have DDNS setup through your router still? If that’s the case, then the method I outlined above will not work since if you setup DDNS through your router you are getting your ISP IP address not the PIA VPN address. In your original post your are using no-ip. Since you already paid for a subscription maybe try using their dynamic update client which you install on Window instead of setting it up through the router: > **[Installing the Windows 4.x Dynamic Update Client (DUC)](https://www.noip.com/support/knowledgebase/installing-the-windows-4-x-dynamic-update-client-duc/)** > > This guide is going to show you how to setup the DUC for Windows 4.x and explain the additional Enhanced preference settings that are available. Now this replaces step 4 in my post, and you then have to use the split-tunnel option in PIA to only route the no-ip client through the VPN. My method assumes you are using PIA ~~and from your reply I don’t know if you are using it or not~~. I looked at the no-ip client docs and since I haven’t tested the PIA split tunnel option with it I am not sure if it will work or not. But there are configuration options in the client that could work. ![image](https://storj-s3.bcdn.literatehosting.net/original/2X/0/0caa63c6f302de7f9523fdf5595bb0f358dfd61a.png) Without using the split tunnel option I guess if you select the Network adapter of PIA (In my case it was called piawg0 for the WireGuard connection) and check the “Use the IP of my local network adapter” it should 🤞 work. ---
**Author:** ![alotofthings](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/letter_avatar/alotofthings/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@alotofthings](https://forum.storj.io/u/alotofthings)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2021, 4:42pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/automatization-of-port-renewal-with-pia-windows-gui/13349/12 "2021-04-27T16:42:46Z")
I will give it a go. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![alotofthings](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/letter_avatar/alotofthings/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@alotofthings](https://forum.storj.io/u/alotofthings)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2021, 6:53pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/automatization-of-port-renewal-with-pia-windows-gui/13349/13 "2021-04-28T18:53:08Z")
Gave it a go. I spent a great deal of time working on it and double checked everything along the way. I did my best to document everything along the way as well. The following is what I did to try to get it to work. Removed DDNS from Router Installed DUC Added DUC to VPN (PIA) and then made sure I set a firewall rule. Check for old install storj files. None found Went to Storj Node Operator Docs to follow guide. (Identity - Node Operator ([storj.io](http://storj.io))) Got new token on new email address Opened Powershell for Indentity Binary download Ran ./identity exe through powershell (same window as binary downloaded) Completed “36” and received ca.key Opened Command Prompt. Entered identity.exe create storagenode. Received the following: Error: CA certificate and/or key already exists, NOT overwriting! Ran Powershell command Authorize ./Identity.exe authorize storagenode with Email Char String. Received: PS C: \ . / identity .exe authorize storagenode IMF 9bfQxhf7EdBt57iyYsRR6x3kgC2D8XiVPR2 Hg6sE BoJQ3qi 9S39L Qe5QS2sRJaxPe86bNAkhC TosxsYbksss 2021/ N/ 28 5:29 proto: duplicate proto type registered: node. SigningRequest 2021/ N/ 28 5:29 proto: duplicate proto type registered: node. SigningResponse Identity successfully authorized using single use authorization token. Please back-up "C: \ to a safe location. PS C: \ Ran Authorize Command Prompt command identity.exe authorize storagenode with email char string Received: C:\Users\joea1\>identity.exe authorize storagenode joseph ~~~~ Qgmai1.cm:1AF9bfQ (removed rest of line.) 2021/04/28 06:12:59 proto: duplicate proto type registered: node. SigningRequest 2021/04/28 06:12:59 proto: duplicate proto type registered: node. SigningResponse Error: certificates peer error: authorization already claimed: joseph ~~~~~~~ gmai1 IAF9bf ((not sure why there are lines through the lines above. ) Ran Powershell first sls with a return value of 2 Ran Powershell second sls with a return value of 3 Ran Command Prompt first findstr command with a return value of 2 Ran Command Prompt second findstr command with a return value of 3 Backed up folder storj/indentity/storagenode (Has six files in it) Turned off Split Tunnel in PIA Download MSI Installer Began Install 4 - default (install folder) 5 - default (identity folder) 6 - enter ethereum wallet 7 - entered my email address 8 - entered external ddns [alotofthings.ddns.net:28967](http://alotofthings.ddns.net:28967) 9 - Entered location for storage f:\st 10 - Entered size 3.5tb on a 4tb drive 11 - Clicked Install 13 - Clicked Finish with open dashboard. Received message on attempt localhost:14002 Hmmmm…can’t reach this page. The first attempt was through Edge with bypass vpn tunnel. Tried again with chrone which is using vpn and received same message. Rechecked firewall and there is a rule set at 28967 TCP Added a new rule for all ports with TCP and checked - no change Rechecked router for port forwarding and it is set to my PC address 192.168.0.102 Changed setting in Preferences from detect my IP using remote to “use the ip of my local network adapter.” Gave me a completely new address neither listed as IP or VPN IP. In edge did a port check using DUC on edge. This pulled up 47.219.193.191 as my ip. Ran it for 28967 and port is closed. Opened chrome (which is in VPN tunnel) and port checker automatically entered my IP as 154.3.250.27 and returned an error that connection was refused. Quit PIA and restarted just to see if that would make a difference. It did not. Restarted both DUC and PIA to see if that would make a difference. It did not. I want to thank you for all of your help. You have been exceptional in your efforts to help me. I believe I have taken too much of your time as it is and will just let it go and say “at least I tried”. Once again thank you for your time and patience. Joe ---
**Author:** ![contributing-javelin](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/letter_avatar/contributing-javelin/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@contributing-javelin](https://forum.storj.io/u/contributing-javelin)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2021, 7:59pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/automatization-of-port-renewal-with-pia-windows-gui/13349/14 "2021-04-28T19:59:19Z")
Hey @alotofthings I won’t blame you if you gave up now 😉. But reading through your post I have a few notes: - The errors you got during your initial setup from running the commands in PowerShell should not be ignored. I only ever installed storj once so I haven’t experienced any of these error myself. - Not being able to access localhost:14002 could mean that the storage node service is not running. You can confirm from task manager \> services tab, then check the status of the service called “storagenode” - I would first make sure the service is running and you can access it through the browser before introducing PIA, duc, etc… - If the storj node service could not start due to an error this info will be logged at “C:\Program Files\Storj\Storage Node\storagenode.log”. Reading the last few lines will help debug any issues you might encounter in the future. ---
**Author:** ![elnems30](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/letter_avatar/elnems30/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@elnems30](https://forum.storj.io/u/elnems30)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 12:38am UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/automatization-of-port-renewal-with-pia-windows-gui/13349/15 "2021-04-29T00:38:55Z")
I had same problem as you exactly and repeat every thing many time with different connection and many different routers i even format my computer and make anew windows and still not working every thing is ok with me but status always offline. Finally i gave up😞 ---
**Author:** ![Alexey](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/alexey/32/41_2.png) [@Alexey](https://forum.storj.io/u/Alexey)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 6:11am UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/automatization-of-port-renewal-with-pia-windows-gui/13349/16 "2021-04-29T06:11:36Z")
Did you try [Running a V3 Storage Node with PIA (VPN) – Storj](https://support.storj.io/hc/en-us/articles/360026892971-Running-a-V3-Storage-Node-with-PIA-VPN-) ? ---
**Author:** ![elnems30](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/letter_avatar/elnems30/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@elnems30](https://forum.storj.io/u/elnems30)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 12:44am UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/automatization-of-port-renewal-with-pia-windows-gui/13349/17 "2021-04-30T00:44:44Z")
Today i bought the pia and made the steps again as the topic but still status show as offline i’m tired of this week ago i’m trying everything. ---
**Author:** ![Alexey](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/alexey/32/41_2.png) [@Alexey](https://forum.storj.io/u/Alexey)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 7:36pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/automatization-of-port-renewal-with-pia-windows-gui/13349/18 "2021-04-30T19:36:35Z")
Let’s try together. Did you enabled port forwarding in the PIA? Did you have a hostname and port? Did you install DDNS updater on PC with PIA client? What is your storagenode version - docker or Windows GUI or maybe just a binary? The main point - you should use your DDNS address and it should be updated to the PIA’s external IP, you should specify your DDNS address with PIA’s port as the node’s external address (the port should be provided after PIA is established connection as well). Did you check your DDNS address and PIA’s port on [Open Port Check Tool - Test Port Forwarding on Your Router](https://www.yougetsignal.com/tools/open-ports/) (the node should be running)? ---
**Author:** ![elnems30](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/letter_avatar/elnems30/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@elnems30](https://forum.storj.io/u/elnems30)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2021, 4:01am UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/automatization-of-port-renewal-with-pia-windows-gui/13349/19 "2021-05-01T04:01:58Z")
What i did is 1- instal pia and enable port forwarding. 2- instal no-ip and creat a host. 3- be sure that the ip of pia is the same as it shown in no-ip program. 4- enable the port from pia at the fire wall. 5- check on test ip site if the port is enable or not and i found that the port is closed ( i check with ip that pia gave me and with host address [name.ddns.net](http://name.ddns.net) and the ipv4 all of them same result port is closed. Restart every thing and try different server from pia like ( france & Netherland ) with no hope. Using GUI and sv3 last version of pia and no-ip i check every thing could be in your mind with no hope. Notice i tried another port like 80 and it was open but pia port show closed. I tried to contact with pia support and sent the problem and the answer me like that. Thank you for contacting PIA customer support. I am really sorry for the issue you are currently experiencing. Please note that the port forwarding utility wouldn’t be monitored in the way it was shown. To utilize it, you need to implement it in a configuration instead of trying to monitor it. Only way to confirm if Port Forward is working is to try and transfer data. If there is no data moving through, those tests will show it as closed. Kindly let us know if you have other question or concern. ---
**Author:** ![Alexey](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/alexey/32/41_2.png) [@Alexey](https://forum.storj.io/u/Alexey)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2021, 1:49pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/automatization-of-port-renewal-with-pia-windows-gui/13349/20 "2021-05-01T13:49:48Z")
> [@elnems30](#): > > check on test ip site if the port is enable or not and i found that the port is closed ( i check with ip that pia gave me and with host address [name.ddns.net](http://name.ddns.net) and the ipv4 all of them same result port is closed. It will be closed until you run something what can listen this port. storagenode for example 🙂 Please, specify the DDNS address and port via colon as your external address (for docker version it is `-e ADDRESS=my.ddns.net:51784 -p 51784:28967` in the `docker run` command), for Windows GUI it’s ```auto contact.external-address: my.ddns.net:51784 ... server.address: :51784 ``` For Windows GUI you need to save the config and restart the storagenode service either from the Services applet or from the elevated PowerShell: ```auto Restart-Service storagenode ``` [Next page](https://forum.storj.io/t/automatization-of-port-renewal-with-pia-windows-gui/13349.md?page=2)