Introduction to Parsec#
Parsec is a remote desktop software that allows users to connect their local computers to remote hosts, enabling remote access and control of the remote host.
-
Features:
- Beautiful, clean, and intuitive interface
- Ultra-low latency
Within the same province: 5-20ms, across provinces: below 50ms - High-quality graphics and high frame rates
Easily achieve 2K 60FPS, graphics can go up to 8K, and frame rates can go up to 240FPS - No graphics card restrictions
Works with N cards, A cards, and Intel integrated graphics - Simple configuration, plug and play
Install and log in, click on the computer you want to connect to - Free
-
Uses:
- Set up your own cloud computer
- Play games remotely with friends
Preparations#
- Public IP (Choose one of the following options)
- IPv4: Apply by calling your internet service provider
- IPv6: Enable it in your router settings (usually enabled by default in the optical modem). After enabling, click
here
to test if IPv6 is working.
If you have an old optical modem, it's best to contact your internet service provider to replace it with a new one that better supports IPv6 and has better performance. - Port forwarding: Use
ZeroTier
+moon
for tunneling
Using a ZeroTier to Connect on Parsec - If none of the above options work: Refer to
error6023
in the "Common Issues and Suggestions" section
-
Download and install Parsec
-
Gamepad
User Guide#
-
Connection
-
Not friends yet
-
Host creates a link
Click on Computers > Click on Share > Share the link with others
After the other person requests to connect, their icon will appear in the bottom left corner. Click Accept to allow the connection. -
Others use the link
-
Open the link in a browser, it will redirect to Parsec
-
In the Parsec client, paste the host link in the bottom right corner and click Join
-
In the Parsec client, enter the friend's ID (complete ID with # and numbers after it) in the bottom right corner and click Join
-
- Already friends (add in the Friends section)
Click on Computers > Click on Connect for the computer you want to connect to
-
-
Controller assignment
After someone connects, their icon will appear in the bottom left corner of the host's screen, and you can assign them:- Gamepad: Multiple gamepads can be assigned
- Keyboard: Only one keyboard will be active at a time
- Mouse: Only one mouse will be active at a time
Host Configuration#
The host is the computer that is used by the client.
Important settings and recommendations
# Enable hosting as a server
- Hosting Enabled
Enabled
# Resolution
- Resolution
Use Client Resolution
# Bandwidth limit (upload bandwidth), the higher the bandwidth, the more screens can be supported
- Bandwidth Limit
10 Mbps # Test the speed and set according to your needs
# Graphics quality
- Quality
Balanced # Choose Low for low latency, High for good network conditions
# Virtual microphone, allows the client's microphone to work on the host
- Virtual Microphone
On
Recommendations for multiplayer use
# Exclusive input mode, only one person can control the mouse at a time when enabled
- Exclusive Input Mode
On
# Echo cancellation for voice software
- Echo cancelling
New
# Select the voice software for echo cancellation. If it's not in the list, you need to configure it yourself. See "Common Issues and Suggestions" section.
- Echo Selection
Discord
- Approved Apps
When enabled, the client will only see the apps you have selected. If you want to protect your privacy, you can enable this setting.
Apps will only appear in Approved Apps when they are running, and you can only select them when they are running.
Client Configuration#
The client is the computer that uses the host.
There are no adjustable settings for the client.
# Decoder selection
- Decoder
NVIDIA # Choose the decoder that matches your graphics card
- H.265
On
After connecting to the host, you can also click on the Parsec icon in the top left corner to adjust settings freely.
Common Issues and Suggestions#
Common shortcuts#
Ctrl + i
: Enter focus mode, using shortcuts will not interfere with the host
Ctrl + Shift + W
: Switch between full screen and windowed mode
Ctrl + Alt + ·
(tilde key): Exit with one click
error800#
This error may occur when Parsec is blocked by your internet service provider.
To configure a proxy for Parsec (streaming does not go through the proxy, so the proxy only needs to solve the error800
issue):
- Click on the ⚙️
setting
- Scroll down to the bottom of the
setting
page - Find
For advanced usage, you can edit the configuration file directly
- Click on
edit the configuration file directly
-
Add your proxy at the bottom and save
app_proxy_address = 127.0.0.1 # Proxy IP, change it accordingly app_proxy_scheme = http app_proxy = true app_proxy_port = Port # Proxy port, change it accordingly
-
Right-click on the Parsec icon in the taskbar and click
Restart
to restart Parsec
error6023#
Tunneling solutions
-
Set up a virtual LAN using PUGV
Download Link
User Guide -
Use Tailscale for networking
Download Link
User Guide
Unable to obtain a public IP and unable to use port forwarding#
Please try the following:
-
Avoid using secondary routers (use only one primary router for the host)
Examples of secondary routers include:- Connecting the optical modem to a router
- Connecting a router to another router
-
Use Full Cone NAT
- If your router provides this setting, enable it. The name may be:
- Full Cone NAT
- FullCone-NAT
- If it's not supported, try using DMZ
- If DMZ is not available, try setting up uPnP (port forwarding):
Port forwarding configuration: External Zone = WAN, Internal Zone = LAN, Internal Host = Your host, Protocol = TCP+UDP
Detailed port forwarding settings
If
Client Port
uses port 31391 andHost Port
uses port 22391, when the client accesses the host from the internet, the client will access the host's port 22391 throughHost_IP:22391
.
Both the client and host machines need to set up port forwarding to the public network. Port forwarding for the client port can improve the connection quality, and port forwarding for the host port can improve the quality of the controlled end.
Taking Xiaomi router as an example, the port forwarding configuration is as follows:
Protocol: TCP and UDP
External Port: Client/Host Port
Internal IP Address: Computer IP address (can be found in the router settings)
Internal Port: Client/Host Port (same as the external port)
In most cases, there is an optical modem above the router, and the optical modem also needs to be configured with port forwarding in its backend. In this case, enter your router's IP address in the port forwarding settings of the optical modem, and keep the other settings the same. Similarly, if there are multiple levels of routers, port forwarding needs to be set up multiple times.
Parsec port settings can be found here
For a better understanding, you can refer to NAT, PAT, DMZ, Port Mapping, Port Forwarding, UPnP
Accessories that may be needed#
-
HDMI dummy plug
Prevents the mainboard from failing the self-check when no display is connected, and allows for virtual resolutions to adapt to different client display conditions
Alternative: Connect a non-powered display -
Wireless mouse/keyboard receiver
When the host is not connected to any mouse or keyboard, Parsec will not be able to control the mouse and keyboard. A wireless receiver can replace real mouse and keyboard input, and it is very small in size
Alternative: Connect a real mouse and keyboard -
Remote power-on card
Used for remote power-on, set Parsec to start automatically to have a cloud computer that can be remotely powered on and off
Alternative: Smart socket with auto power-on when receiving a call- Press
DEL
key to enter the motherboard BIOS - Select
Power Management Setup
- Option
Pwron After PW-Fail
is set toDisabled
by default - Change the setting to
Enabled
so that the computer will automatically power on after a power failure
- Enter the BIOS setup main interface
- Select
POWER MANAGEMENT SETUP
- Then select
PWR Lost Resume State
- Select the
Turn On
option, which means that when the power is restored after a power failure, the computer will automatically start
- Press