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Requirements and network
What the server, the display PCs, tablets and your network need before you install Vistapane.
The server
The server is any Windows PC that stays switched on. It doesn't need to be a server-class machine. A small desktop or mini PC is fine for most buildings.
- Windows 10 or Windows 11. You need an administrator account to install it.
- Always on. The server runs as a Windows service, so it starts with the PC even when nobody signs in. Turn off sleep in the PC's power settings.
- Storage for your media. Videos take most of the space. Uploads can be up to 4 GB each by default.
- A fixed address on your network. Give the server a DHCP reservation or a static IP address, so screens and bookmarks keep finding it. See If the server's address changes.
- A wired connection is best, because every display downloads its content from the server.
The installer includes everything it needs, Node.js included, so the server PC doesn't need internet access to install.
Display PCs
Each TV needs something to drive it. The usual choice is a small Windows PC on the TV's HDMI input.
- Windows 10 or 11 with the Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime, which is built in on current versions. Vistapane Player links to Microsoft's download if it's missing.
- No admin rights needed. The player installs for the signed-in Windows user.
- Any PC with Chrome or Edge also works as a display through the browser player. See Display PCs.
Room-sign tablets
- Android 7.0 or later, any brand, with Vistapane Panel. See Vistapane Panel for Android.
- iPads and other tablets can run the room sign in Safari or Chrome. See Room signs.
- Keep tablets on power, with auto-lock off.
Presenters
Anyone sharing a screen needs a laptop with Chrome or Edge on the same network as the display. Nothing is installed on the laptop.
Network and ports
Displays, tablets and presenters connect to the server. Open these on the server PC. The installer adds the Windows Firewall rule for you.
| Port | Protocol | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| 8080 | TCP | The admin, the display player and the room signs |
| 8443 | TCP | HTTPS: screen sharing, and the admin over HTTPS |
| 3478 | UDP | Finding the server on the network, and the screen-sharing helper |
You can change all three in server.ini. See Reference.
Internet access
| What | Needs internet? |
|---|---|
| Playing content, schedules, alerts, screen sharing | No |
| Display PCs and tablets, for your own media | No |
| YouTube videos and public web pages | Yes, on the display PCs that show them |
| Weather and RSS news widgets | Yes, on the server only |
| License activation and check-ins (online key) | Yes, on the server only: license.vistapane.cloud over HTTPS |
| Offline (air-gapped) license | No |
| Microsoft 365 room calendars | Yes, on the server only |
If your firewall filters outbound traffic, allow the server to reach license.vistapane.cloud on port 443.