What you need
The computers, phones and network Basalt runs on, and what makes a good host.
Basalt Host
Basalt Host runs on the computer with the drive. Choose the version for that computer:
| Version | Runs on |
|---|---|
| Windows | Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit |
| Linux desktop | Ubuntu 22.04 or later, Debian 12, Linux Mint 21 or later, Fedora, or any other 64-bit Linux desktop with the AppImage |
| With no screen | Debian 11 or later, Ubuntu 20.04 or later, Raspberry Pi OS (64-bit), Fedora, Rocky Linux and similar. On 64-bit PCs (amd64 / x86_64) and ARM boards (arm64 / aarch64) |
| Docker | Any computer or NAS that runs Docker, on amd64 or arm64 |
Only one Basalt Host can run on a computer at a time, because each uses the same network ports.
The drive
The host shares one drive or folder. It can be:
- the computer’s own drive, or a folder on it
- a drive plugged in over USB, which can come and go: unplug it and every device says so, plug it back in and it is shared again
- on a NAS or server, any folder on its disks
Basalt never moves, renames or reorganises your files. The library is an index the host keeps beside them.
How powerful does it need to be?
Not very. To share files, the host mostly just sends them, so an ordinary computer, an older laptop or a small ARM board is enough, and more viewers cost it almost nothing. The device you watch on does the playing.
Converting video takes more. When a device cannot play a film itself, such as 4K on many phones, the host converts it to 1080p as it plays. A computer with a graphics chip does this best. The host measures how many films it can convert at once, and you can switch converting off. See Host settings.
The Basalt app
| Device | Needs |
|---|---|
| Windows computers | Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit |
| Android phones and tablets | Android 8.0 or later, on a 64-bit device |
| Linux desktops | Coming soon. Until then, open a Linux host’s drive from Windows or Android |
There is no iPhone, iPad, Mac or TV app yet.
Your network
- The host and your devices need to be on the same home network: the same Wi-Fi or wired network, through the same router.
- Basalt does not work away from home yet. Nothing is relayed through the internet.
- Your devices find the host by themselves. If your network blocks that, as some guest networks and mesh systems do, a device can be given the host’s address instead. See Pairing a device.
- The host listens on port 7742 (TCP), and announces itself on port 7743 (UDP). A firewall on the host computer must let these through. See Network and firewall.
The internet is only needed for updates, and for posters if you turn them on.
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.