Devices and access
Decide who can join, what each device may do, and remove a device that should no longer reach the drive.
Every device that has paired with the host is listed in Basalt Host’s window and in Manage host, under Devices, with what it is doing right now.
Who can join
Ask for a PIN when pairing is on by default. A new device can only join once someone types the PIN the host shows, so nobody joins without being let in.
Turned off, any device on your network can join and open the drive without a PIN. Basalt Host shows this in red, as a reminder. Leave it on unless everyone on your network is someone you would hand the drive to.
Make a device read only
Turn off Can change files for a device (Make read only in Basalt Host’s device options). It can still browse, play and download, but can’t upload, move, rename or delete anything. Useful for a child’s tablet, or a guest.
Rename a device
Devices are named after themselves when they pair. Rename one from its options, so the list says Living room laptop rather than a model number.
Let a device manage the host
Let it manage the host gives a device Manage host. A device that manages the host also confirms the host’s identity every week, so a copy of the host can always be told apart from the real one.
Remove a device
Remove this device (Remove from this host in Manage host) unpairs it at once. It can no longer reach the drive, and would need a new PIN to join again.
Remove a device that is lost, sold or given away. The host can’t remove the only device that manages it from afar: see Manage host.
How each device signs in
Each device signs in with a security key of its own, made on the device when it pairs. The device list says how each one keeps it:
| The list says | Meaning |
|---|---|
| security chip | The key is kept in the device’s security chip, such as a TPM or Android’s secure hardware, and never leaves it |
| secure key | The key is protected by the device’s own system |
| older sign-in | The device is on Basalt from before version 1.5. It moves to a key of its own once Basalt on it is updated |
Because the key never leaves the device, a copy of its settings, such as from a backup, can’t open your drive.
Once a device is on version 1.5 or later, going back to an earlier version of Basalt on it means pairing it again.
Something unclear, or not covered here? Ask in Help and setup, where the community and Refora Technologies answer, or write to us, and we will improve this page.