# Access Manager

N**DI Access Manager** is a tool designed to give you control over the visibility and discoverability of NDI sources within your network. This tool allows you to manage precisely who can see specific NDI sources through the utilization of [send and receive groups](https://docs.ndi.video/all/getting-started/white-paper/discovery-and-registration/ndi-groups). Ideal for enhancing content-sharing workflows, NDI Access Manager is available for free as part of the NDI Tools package.

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Download NDI Tools [here](https://ndi.video/tools/download/).
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## **Accessing NDI Access Manager**

[Install NDI Tools](https://docs.ndi.video/all/using-ndi/ndi-tools/installing-ndi-tools) and run NDI Access Manager from the [NDI launcher](https://docs.ndi.video/all/using-ndi/ndi-tools/ndi-tools-launcher) or your applications list.

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## **Creating Groups**

First, select the `Receive Groups` or `Send Groups`tabs to determine if you are creating NDI groups that allow devices to send or receive specific NDI signals. Them, create a new NDI group by clicking `New.`

To configure a group, you should attribute it to a name. You can also add a small memo/note with additional information about the group.

By entering group names, you **restrict NDI sources to only those devices that have the corresponding Group in their Receive Groups list.**

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/DO9LSaUxLOBIgPjyrjR1/blobs/Qa4qmYwi6iA9n5CLKP9J/image.png" alt="" width="563"><figcaption><p>Creating a new NDI Receive Group</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/DO9LSaUxLOBIgPjyrjR1/blobs/QTuoYDRhua5IqhO07F2j/image.png" alt="" width="563"><figcaption><p>Creating a new NDI Send Group</p></figcaption></figure>

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## Configuring **Devices**

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If you want to explore some examples of how to connect different devices to NDI Groups, check the [scenarios](https://docs.ndi.video/all/getting-started/white-paper/discovery-and-registration/ndi-groups#scenarios) in our White Paper.
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## **External Sources**

* Use the **External Sources** tab to reach NDI-enabled devices on subnets that are not on your current network.
* Add external sources by specifying IP addresses, providing easily identifiable names, and managing settings.

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/DO9LSaUxLOBIgPjyrjR1/blobs/RanZGyeVzLLtpzYCukeL/image.png" alt="" width="563"><figcaption><p>FInd subnets through the External Sources tab.</p></figcaption></figure>

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## Advanced Settings

Explore advanced settings in the "Advanced" tab to address specific network challenges:

* **Configure transport modes, multicast ranges, network mapping**, and more.
* To streamline the management of NDI signals, particularly in larger networks, **designate an NDI discovery server, set preferred** [**NICs**](#user-content-fn-1)[^1]**, and define device aliases**.&#x20;

<div data-full-width="true"><figure><img src="https://3444609009-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FDO9LSaUxLOBIgPjyrjR1%2Fuploads%2FatjMyQ7I80TVJ9Hcz86W%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=164183a4-f216-4910-8cf3-78a1c553a1a2" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

NDI Access Manager settings are saved into a specific file in the computer's operating system. All NDI applications will look for this file when they first start to get the NDI configuration data.  If this file is updated while an NDI application is running, it will continue to use the previous information.   To refresh the settings for an NDI application, restart it again which will make it read the file and get the new settings.

The NDI Access Manager configuration file is stored in the following location:

**Mac**\
`$HOME/.ndi/ndi-config.v1.json`

**Linux**\
`$HOME/.ndi/ndi-config.v1.json`

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Always ensure network configurations align with IT guidelines for better network compatibility and optimal performance. Consult with your IT department before configuring **NDI Access Manager**.
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[^1]: A network interface controller (NIC, also known as a network interface card, network adapter, LAN adapter, or physical network interface, and by similar terms) is a computer hardware component that connects a computer to a computer network.