Network roles - Stand-alone, Client or Server
Network roles are used to clearly define the responsibility of each machine in your Pixotope network.
A network role has to be chosen the first time you start Director. However, a machine is not locked to this specific role. If the setup of your production changes, you can easily change its role via the Machine settings.
Keep track of all your machines' roles, and other settings from the Machines panel
![](../../__attachments/3757409069/image-20230309-085916.png?inst-v=9a48e7bf-6403-4094-a858-ffe80445b919)
Stand-alone
Choose this role for a single machine production.
Client
Choose this role for all machines in a Multi-machine production which connect to a Server, and work on the Server’s open show.
The display name and color of a Client can be changed in SETUP > Configure > Machines. Learn more about how to Configure machines
![](../../__attachments/3757409069/client.png?inst-v=9a48e7bf-6403-4094-a858-ffe80445b919)
Server
Choose this role for the machine in a Multi-machine production which
stores/owns the show file
runs the Asset Hub server and holds its cache
A server accepts connections from all machines on the same subnet.
The display color of a server is fixed (pink).