Rangecast FAQ
[FAQ-1154] Feed Site - Network and firewall considerations when operating a Rangecast feed site


Page Type: REFERENCE


OVERVIEW

To operate a Rangecast feed site (a PC with scanners attached, providing audio for the Rangecast player on another PC), the feed site PC must have normal internet connectivity. No special network or firewall settings are needed for this software, it will work fine behind a firewall. Audio is uploaded to the cloud, and anyone hearing the recorded audio will obtain the content from the cloud (Rangecast players do not connect to your PC, or use your network bandwidth to hear content.)


REFERENCE

Q: Does a Rangecast feed site require internet connectvity?

A: Yes. Even if you listen to Rangecast audio locally, the Rangecast feed site software stores audio in the 'cloud'.

Q: Does a Rangecast feed site require 'inbound' internet access (the ability to receive queries from the internet)? Do I need to configure my firewall to allow 'inbound' access to any ports on the feed site PC?

A: No. The Rangecast feed site software can operate behind a firewall that blocks all inbound queries from the internet.

Q: If someone listens to audio received at my Rangecast feed site, are they using my internet connection, or connected over the internet to the Rangecast feed site PC?

A: No. The Rangecast feed site software uploads audio to 'cloud' storage, and that internet usage is outbound only. Anyone listening to the audio is accessing the cloud, not the feed site PC.

Q: Does a Rangecast feed site need a static IP address?

A: No.

Q: To use a Rangecast feed site, do I need to configure my firewall to allow 'outbound' access to any special ports from the feed site PC?

A: No. The Rangecast feed site PC will contact our servers, and 'cloud' storage servers, via TCP at standard port numbers on the remote destination (80 HTTP, or 443 HTTPS). If the feed site PC has normal access to the internet (can view both ordinary and secure webpages), nothing else is required.

Q: For diagnostic purposes, 'remote desktop' access is beneficial. How does this work?

A: We recommend Anydesk, a remote desktop application that lets us work directly on the desktop of the Rangecast feed site PC. This third-party software can be installed on the Rangecast feed site PC.

Q: Does Anydesk require any special network or firewall configurations?

A: No. Anydesk works on PC's located behind a firewall, without any special network or firewall configuration steps.


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