ALVR primarily utilizes ports 9943 and 9944 for its streaming and communication processes. These ports are essential for establishing a robust connection between your VR headset and the PC running the ALVR streamer application.
Both TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol) are used across these ports to handle different aspects of the connection:
- TCP provides reliable, ordered, and error-checked delivery of a stream of bytes, typically used for control signals and critical data.
- UDP offers a fast, connectionless protocol, ideal for low-latency data like video and audio streaming where occasional packet loss is tolerable and retransmission would cause unacceptable delay.
Port Usage Details
For seamless operation, especially when your headset and PC might be on separate networks, you need to ensure these specific ports are accessible.
| Port | Protocol | Primary Function |
|---|---|---|
| 9943 | TCP & UDP | Core communication channel for control, configuration, and initial data streams. |
| 9944 | TCP & UDP | Dedicated auxiliary channel, often used for high-bandwidth data, such as video and audio streaming. |
Network Configuration for ALVR
To ensure optimal performance and connectivity for ALVR, particularly in network setups where the headset and streamer PC are not on the same local network, consider the following:
- Firewall Rules: It is crucial to configure your firewall (on the PC and any intermediate network devices) to allow incoming and outgoing traffic on ports 9943 and 9944 for both TCP and UDP protocols.
- Port Forwarding: If your PC is behind a router and you're trying to connect from an external network, you may need to set up port forwarding rules on your router to direct incoming traffic on these ports to the internal IP address of your PC.
- Network Stability: A stable and high-bandwidth network connection is vital for a smooth VR streaming experience, as ALVR relies heavily on efficient data transfer over these specified ports.
For further details on network configuration and troubleshooting, refer to the ALVR GitHub Wiki.
