How to publish lsFusion via ngrok without a domain

Publishing an lsFusion Project Through ngrok Without Using a Domain

To publish an lsFusion project through ngrok without using a domain, you need to set up a tunnel for the port where lsFusion runs and properly configure Tomcat to handle requests correctly. The main problem is usually related to lsFusion requiring correct host and port headers for proper request routing.

Contents

• Setting up ngrok for lsFusion project
• Main problems and their solutions
• Step-by-step setup instructions
• Configuring Tomcat to work with ngrok
• Final verification and testing

Setting up ngrok for lsFusion project

To publish lsFusion through ngrok without a domain, use the free version of ngrok, which automatically creates temporary subdomains. The main setup steps are:

1. Install ngrok: Download and install ngrok from the official website ngrok.com

2. Run a tunnel for lsFusion: If lsFusion is running on port 8081, execute the command:

   ngrok http 8081
   

3. ngrok free domains: The free version provides addresses in the format your-id.ngrok-free.app

Important: The free version of ngrok creates random addresses on each run. A permanent address requires a paid subscription.

The main problem occurs when lsFusion doesn’t correctly identify the host and port, leading to errors in the application’s operation.

Main problems and their solutions

Problem 1: lsFusion doesn’t recognize the correct host

lsFusion may not properly handle requests from ngrok because it expects requests to its main domain.

Solution:

• Configure lsFusion with the correct host specified
• Use startup parameters to specify the host and port

Problem 2: Conflict between Tomcat and lsFusion

Tomcat runs on one port (e.g., 8080) while lsFusion runs on another (e.g., 8081). Ngrok should properly route requests.

Solution:

• Set up separate tunnels for each application
• Use different ngrok ports for each service

Problem 3: CORS and security

Some browsers block requests from different domains.

Solution:

• Configure CORS headers in ngrok
• Use the --host-header parameter to rewrite headers

Step-by-step setup instructions

Step 1: Determine the lsFusion port

Find out which port your lsFusion server is running on. This is usually port 8081 or another port different from Tomcat.

Step 2: Run ngrok for lsFusion

Open a terminal and execute the command:

ngrok http 8081

where 8081 is the port of your lsFusion server.

Step 3: Configure lsFusion startup parameters

Add parameters to specify the correct host:

java -jar lsfusion-server.jar --host=0.0.0.0 --port=8081

Step 4: Check accessibility

After starting ngrok, copy the provided URL (e.g., https://abc123.ngrok-free.app) and open it in your browser.

Step 5: Configure settings

If lsFusion still doesn’t work, configure the ngrok configuration file:

authtoken: your_token
tunnels:
  lsfusion:
    addr: 8081
    proto: http
    host_header: rewrite

Configuring Tomcat to work with ngrok

Since Tomcat is working but lsFusion is not, it’s important to properly configure both services:

Tomcat Configuration

Tomcat typically requires configuration to work with a reverse proxy:

<Connector port="8080" protocol="HTTP/1.1"
           connectionTimeout="20000"
           proxyName="your-ngrok-domain.ngrok-free.app"
           proxyPort="443"/>

lsFusion Configuration

For lsFusion, add JVM parameters:

-Dserver.port=8081
-Dserver.address=0.0.0.0
-Dserver.forward-headers-strategy=framework

Alternative approach: One tunnel for both services

You can set up a single ngrok tunnel that redirects requests to different ports:

ngrok http localhost:8080,localhost:8081

Final verification and testing

Functionality Check

1. Ensure both services are running
2. Check accessibility through the ngrok URL
3. Check logs for errors
4. Test basic lsFusion functions through ngrok

Troubleshooting common errors

• ERR_NGROK_3200: Verify that the lsFusion port is accessible locally
• Timeout errors: Increase timeouts in ngrok settings
• CORS errors: Add necessary headers to the configuration

Permanent settings

To make settings persistent, create an ngrok.yml file in your home directory:

authtoken: your_token
tunnels:
  lsfusion:
    addr: 8081
    proto: http

Sources

1. Official ngrok documentation - Custom Domains
2. Setting up ngrok using configuration files
3. ngrok setup guide in ServBay
4. Configuring Tomcat behind a reverse proxy
5. ngrok basics for beginners

Conclusion

1. Main problem: lsFusion is not published correctly due to improper handling of hosts and ports
2. Solution: Set up a separate ngrok tunnel for the lsFusion port (usually 8081) with the correct parameters
3. Practical steps: Run ngrok http 8081, configure JVM parameters for lsFusion, check accessibility
4. Additional settings: Use the ngrok.yml configuration file for persistent settings
5. Tip: For more complex scenarios, consider setting up a single ngrok tunnel with routing to different ports

Following this guide, you can successfully publish an lsFusion project through ngrok without using your own domain.