--- title: "How to set up a private DaVinci Resolve Project Server for secure team collaboration" author: "Cutsio Team" date: "2026-05-15" lastmod: "2026-05-15" category: "DaVinci Resolve Advanced Workflows" excerpt: "The DaVinci Resolve Project Server lets you set up collaborative project sharing on a private network with VPN and firewall controls for security-sensitive productions. This guide covers setup, configuration, and remote access." tags: ["DaVinci Resolve","Project Server","Private Network","Collaboration","Security","VPN","Post Production"] --- ## How do you set up a DaVinci Resolve Project Server for private network collaboration? The DaVinci Resolve Project Server is a free application that lets you share projects across a private network without Blackmagic Cloud. Install the server application on a machine on your local network, configure the project library, and connect client workstations to the server IP address. The server supports VPN access for remote team members and can be configured with firewalls for security compliance. ![DaVinci Resolve Project Server](https://images.blackmagicdesign.com/images/products/davinciresolve/collaboration/server/server-xl@2x.jpg?_v=1680762819) The Project Server is designed for productions that cannot use public cloud services due to security requirements, accreditation regulations, or contractual obligations. It gives you full control over where project data is stored and who has access to it. ## How do you install and configure the DaVinci Resolve Project Server? Download the DaVinci Resolve Project Server from the Blackmagic Design support page. It is available as a separate installer for Mac, Windows, and Linux. Install it on a dedicated machine on your local network — ideally a machine that will remain online and accessible during the production schedule. Launch the Project Server application. The interface displays the server status, connected clients, and configuration options. Create a project library by specifying a storage location on the server machine. The library stores all project files, metadata, and collaboration data. Configure the server port — the default is 5100 for TCP connections. If your network uses specific port ranges, adjust accordingly. Set an optional password for server access to prevent unauthorized connections. On each client workstation, open DaVinci Resolve and go to the Project Manager. Select "Connect to Project Server" and enter the server's local IP address and port number. Resolve connects to the server and displays the available project libraries. Open a project from the shared library, and the collaboration features — bin locking, shared markers, chat, timeline comparison — work as they do on Blackmagic Cloud, but entirely within your private network. ## How do you configure VPN access for remote team members? For remote team members who need access to the Project Server, set up a VPN that connects to your local network. The VPN gives remote workstations a local IP address on your network, allowing them to connect to the Project Server as if they were in the building. Configure your firewall to allow VPN connections on the appropriate ports — typically UDP 1194 for OpenVPN or UDP 500/4500 for IPsec. Once the VPN is established, remote workstations connect to the Project Server using the server's local IP address. The collaboration features work identically to local connections, though performance depends on the VPN bandwidth and latency. For teams that need private cloud access without VPN complexity, the Blackmagic Cloud with Organizations provides an alternative with single sign-on and cloud-based project servers. ## How does the Project Server compare to Blackmagic Cloud collaboration? | Feature | Private Project Server | Blackmagic Cloud | |---|---|---| | Network requirement | Local network or VPN | Internet connection | | Data storage | Your own server hardware | Blackmagic Cloud servers | | Security control | Full (firewalls, VPN, physical) | Managed by Blackmagic | | Setup complexity | Server installation + client config | Cloud ID creation | | Remote access | VPN required | Internet access only | | Cost | Free software, your hardware | Cloud storage usage fees | | Scalability | Limited by server hardware | Cloud-scalable | The Project Server is the right choice for productions that require data to remain on-premises. This includes government and military projects, classified commercial work, productions bound by strict data residency requirements, and facilities that prefer complete control over their infrastructure. Blackmagic Cloud is the right choice for distributed teams that need to collaborate across geographic locations without VPN setup, and for smaller productions that want zero infrastructure management. ## How does the Project Server handle performance with multiple collaborators? The Project Server uses the DaVinci Resolve project database to manage collaboration data. The server handles project saves, timeline locks, and marker synchronization. Actual media files are stored on each workstation's local storage or on shared network storage — the server does not handle media delivery. This architecture means the Project Server's performance requirements are modest. A standard office workstation or a small server can handle dozens of simultaneous collaborators. The bottleneck is typically the shared media storage. For best performance, use network storage with sufficient bandwidth for your resolution and codec requirements, such as a Blackmagic Cloud Store. Version 18 introduced a significant speed increase for the Project Server when opening and saving projects. If you are upgrading from an older version, expect noticeably faster collaboration startup times.
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## How do you back up a DaVinci Resolve Project Server? The Project Server stores all project data in the library location you specified during setup. Back up this directory regularly using your standard backup procedures. The server can be stopped for backup by closing the application or by using a network file system snapshot. For high-availability setups, consider redundant server hardware or regular automated backups to a separate machine. The project data is typically small — metadata and timeline information — so backups are fast and storage requirements are minimal compared to media storage. ## FAQ ### Is the DaVinci Resolve Project Server free? Yes. The Project Server application is free and does not require any license. Clients connecting to it can use the free or Studio version of DaVinci Resolve. ### How many clients can connect to a single Project Server? The Project Server supports dozens of simultaneous connections. The practical limit depends on your server hardware and network bandwidth. ### Does the Project Server require a dedicated machine? While not strictly required, a dedicated machine is recommended for production environments. The server should remain online during working hours and have reliable network connectivity. ### Can the Project Server be used with Blackmagic Cloud simultaneously? Yes. A project can be stored on a Project Server and also published to Blackmagic Cloud for remote collaborators who are not on the VPN. ### Does the Project Server support Windows, Mac, and Linux clients simultaneously? Yes. The Project Server works with DaVinci Resolve clients on any supported operating system, regardless of the server's operating system.

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