Hi all, I have set up an Ubuntu server inside of Proxmox running a static IP and have installed SparkBox via SSH. I have also installed Tailscale via the app store and added Auth keys to Tailscale but was not able to enable Serve via the Tailscale dashboard. I have HTTPS Certificates enabled in /admin/dns and can connect to SparkBox via Tailscale. You recommended to enable Serve along with HTTPS Certificates, can i ask you how i can enable Serve? When connected to Tailscale via another device, i can connect to SparkBox. Via SSH when connected, as per the /docs/features/tailscale-serve on Tailscale.com, i follow their guide to installing Serve, but when i run the following command: tailscale serve 3000 I am getting the following: root@ubuntu:~ tailscale serve 3000 Command 'tailscale' not found, but can be installed with: snap install tailscale SparkBox is running on 192.168.1.xx:8443 I am obviously missing something but i don't know what, could anyone kindly point me in the right direction, your help would be greatly appreciated.
5 replies
tomspark wrote:
You haven't missed anything — that error is actually expected. SparkBox runs Tailscale inside its own container, so the tailscale command isn't installed on your Ubuntu host, and you don't need to run 'tailscale serve' yourself at all. SparkBox already sets Serve up for you automatically — it proxies your dashboard to your Tailscale HTTPS address on port 443. The one thing left is a free toggle in the Tailscale admin console. Go to https://login.tailscale.com/admin/settings/features and make sure both 'HTTPS Certificates' (you've done this) and 'Tailscale Serve' are on. Then run: sudo sparkbox restart tailscale After that you'll reach SparkBox at your machine's Tailscale name over https — no :8443 on the end needed. Shout if it doesn't come up and we'll dig in.
markdbruce wrote:
That is good to hear but also very strange on Tailscale as on my Admin/settings there is no /features page, just /general. The only option to toggle on and off is HTTPS. The only other options in /general are Mullvad VPN, Send Files, Services collection and Funnel, these are feature previews. I am in the UK so I’m not sure if the option to toggle Serve on and off in the same page as HTTPS is a US feature?? When I’ve tried to connect to SparkBox via my Tailscale’s full domain address of Ubuntu.xx-xx.ts.net, I get the following message: Congratulations! You've successfully started the Nginx Proxy Manager. If you're seeing this site then you're trying to access a host that isn't set up yet. Log in to the Admin panel to get started. That’s something else I need to find the time to setup. I’ll look at the documentation for help in setting it up right.
tomspark wrote:
Good news hiding in that page — that 'Nginx Proxy Manager' welcome screen means your Tailscale HTTPS connection IS working; it's just landing on the wrong app. Two things to clear up. First, you haven't missed a switch: newer Tailscale doesn't have a separate 'Serve' toggle, so HTTPS Certificates (which you've turned on) is all it needs — it's not a UK-vs-US thing. Second, the reason you're seeing that page is that Nginx Proxy Manager also answers on the same web port and it's getting there first. Easy way to reach your dashboard over Tailscale right now: just add the port — open https://Ubuntu.xx-xx.ts.net:8443 (your full Tailscale name with :8443 on the end). That goes straight to SparkBox. I'm flagging the clean no-port version to the team.
markdbruce wrote:
Thank you for your replies, I’m very much still getting to grips with Tailscale and even more so with Linux/SSH etc, I have zero experience but I’m learning. Adding the :8443 to the end of the .ts.net address has made the connection secure, even after just using the .ts.net now is secure, wasn’t before. Thank you again for taking the time to reply.
tomspark wrote:
That's brilliant news — and honestly you're doing great for someone brand new to this. Getting Tailscale, HTTPS and SSH all working together is no small thing, so well done. Bookmark that :8443 address and you've got secure access to your dashboard from anywhere. If you hit anything else as you keep exploring, just shout — always happy to help. Enjoy your SparkBox!