# Network setup
Network setup in relation to LightNet consists of 2 steps:
1. **Setting up the LightNetProjects folder**: The most crucial step is to establish proper sharing using the Windows sharing mechanism.
2. **Setting up LightNet Network Properties**: This includes configuring multicast addresses and ports and assigning each communication channel to a NIC.
## Setting up *LightNetProjects* folder
### Same Network
For LightNet to function, all machines must be on the same network. Additionally, the IPs and subnet masks of the machines should ensure they can see and communicate with each other.
### *LightNetProjects* Folder
To transfer project files between machines, we need to create the correct folder structure and enable the appropriate sharing permissions on each machine in the network. This is achieved through the **LightNetProjects folder**—a dedicated folder on all non-primary machines where the Primary machine will transfer all project files.
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**Good to know**: Technically, you don't need to create a *LightNetProject* folder on the Primary, nor must you place your LightAct Projects into it. This is because no machine copies files to the Primary; instead, the Primary always copies files from its Project folder.
However, it is still recommended as a good practice.
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#### Create a *LightNetProjects* Folder
Create a folder called *LightNetProjects* on every machine you would like to include in your LightNet cluster.
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This will be the project folder where all the project files including the assets will be transfered to on all non-Primary machines. Make sure there is enough space and that the speed of the drive is sufficient.
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#### Share *LightNetProjects* folder
For LightAct to transfer local files from one machine to another, it first needs to have the right permissions. In our case, LightAct will transfer files from the Primary machine to the *LightNetProjects* folder of each non-Primary machine in its cluster.
Because of this, we need to share the recently created *LightNetProjects* folder with all machines in our network, so that it appears directly in the root of each Network machine.
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It should be possible to access and write in *LightNetProject* folders on all the non-Primary machines from the Primary machine. If this doesn't work, LightNet will not operate properly.
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It should also be possible to access this folder using both:
* computer shared name. For example *LA5\\\LightNetProjects\\*
* But even more imporatntly, its IP IP address. For example *\\\192.168.0.160\LightNetProjects\\*
Please note, LightNetProjects needs to be shared directly. If path to the folder is, say, *\\\192.168.0.160\\**anotherFolder**\LightNetProjects\\*, LightAct won't be able to transfer the files.
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**Good to know**: please make sure you check the **Save my credentials** if you are asked by Windows to provide a username and password.
Do that for both types of network access, using **computer shared name** and its **IP address** (see above)
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#### *LightNetProjects* Path
To choose the *LightNetProjects* folder as the directory where all LightNet projects will be transferred, click on **Edit** and choose **Preferences**.
Select **LightNet** and under *LightNet project path* choose the *LightNet projects path* location*.*
## Assign Network Interface Cards
In **Preferences** window in the **LightNet** tab, you should also set up:
* **Multicast address and port**: all machines that you want to have in the same cluster should have the same Multicast address and port.
* **Assigning NICs**: you can assign different NIC to LightNet and LightSync communication channels.
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**Good to know**: if you want to create multiple LightAct clusters in the network, then each cluster should have a different set of Multicast address and port.
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