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Set up a Presentation Network

A Presentation Network is a Wi-Fi profile that a supported Linux Player can join for an AirPlay session. Tilecast uses it when an AirPlay sender cannot discover the Player over Ethernet. The Player keeps Ethernet as its normal route to Tilecast Server, downloads, and other group displays.

Before you start

Section titled “Before you start”
  • Use a Linux Player with a Wi-Fi adapter and NetworkManager. Its Ethernet connection must remain the normal route to Tilecast Server.
  • Prepare the Player with the optional Presentation Network support in the Linux installation guide.
  • Configure TILECAST_PRESENTATION_NETWORK_KEY in the server environment before saving Wi-Fi credentials. It must decode to a 32-byte hex or Base64 value. See the repository’s deployment reference.
  • Use a supported WPA2 or WPA3 personal network, or WPA2 Enterprise with PEAP/MSCHAPv2.

Add and assign a network

Section titled “Add and assign a network”
  1. In Studio, open Settings > Presentation Networks.
  2. Select Add network and enter a Display name, SSID, and authentication details. Select Hidden SSID if the access point does not advertise its name.
  3. Select Save. Studio does not show the saved Wi-Fi password again. When editing a profile, leave the credential empty to keep the saved one.
  4. Open an eligible Linux screen and go to Device > Assigned Presentation Network.
  5. Choose the network, select Save assignment, then select Test connection to check that the Player can join it.

Only Owners and Administrators can manage networks and assignments. For a Display Group AirPlay session, Tilecast selects an eligible member as the gateway. Assign a network to the Linux screen that can serve that role.

Check the connection

Section titled “Check the connection”

The Player joins Wi-Fi only while it is the AirPlay gateway. Wi-Fi association alone does not guarantee discovery: the sender must still reach the gateway through Bonjour/mDNS. Guest-network client isolation, multicast filtering, a missing Wi-Fi adapter, a wrong password, or a failed DHCP request can prevent a session.

A Presentation Network does not bridge VLANs, route traffic between wired and wireless networks, or bypass NAT or client isolation. If the sender and gateway cannot reach each other on the local network, use a network that permits discovery and traffic between them.

Next steps

Section titled “Next steps”