Stream from VLC using Google Cast (Chromecast) with pfSense across VLANs

In this post, I’ll show how you can setup pfSense to enable streaming videos from VLC to a device such as a TV using Google Cast (aka. Chromecast) across VLANs.

Prerequisites

• A pfSense firewall
• The Avahi package installed on pfSense

Configuration

Avahi

In order to relay the Multicast DNS (mDNS) packets used by Google Cast from one network to another (on different VLANs), you need to use a service such as Avahi on the firewall.

In terms of configuration, you must under Services > Avahi:

• Enable the daemon
• Select the interfaces you want communication across
• Check Disable IPv6 if you don’t use it
• Check Enable reflection
• In reflection filtering, add the _googlecast._tcp.local service to limit mDNS requests to Google Cast

Firewall Rules

Under Firewall > Rules,

1. From the sending network (ie. from which you will cast the audio or video), you must allow TCP/8009 (the Chromecast control port) traffic to the receiving device (ie. where the video will be cast to such as your TV).
2. From the receiving device, you must allow TCP/8010 traffic (the VLC HTTP port) to the sending device as VLC acts as web server that can stream video. I personally simplified the rule with a destination being an entire network and not just a device, since I want to stream from my phone or computer easily (both on the same network).

On the sending interface (eg. a wireless network):

Protocol	Source	Port	Destination	Port
IPv4	WIRELESS subnets	*	TV address	8009

On the receiving interface (eg. an IoT network):

Protocol	Source	Port	Destination	Port
IPv4	TV address	*	WIRELESS subnets	8010

Note: The TCP/8010 HTTP port is the one used by default by VLC and can be changed in the settings.

Google Cast

This will also enable you to use Google Cast as well from other sources than VLC such as various apps on your phone or computer.