> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://wiki.project-fika.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://wiki.project-fika.com/hosting-a-fika-server/choose-your-hosting-method.md).
# Choose your hosting method
Getting started with hosting a Fika server.
See below for the different methods for hosting a Fika server. Choose the one that is appropriate to your network configuration.
{% hint style="warning" %}
**WARNING**
Some technical knowledge is required to host a Fika server. If you are unsure, please visit our Discord for assistance.
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{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Port Forwarding" %}
Port Forwarding is the process of opening a port externally to a device within your network. Players can enter your external IP and connect directly to the server running on your computer.
**Pros**
* Direct connection between players and your server (best performance).
* No software dependencies.
**Cons**
* Requires access to your router configuration.
* Certain ISP or network configuration such as CGNAT/shared public IP cannot port forward.
* Your device local IP may change which will break the port forwarding rule (can be addressed by static IP allocation).
Host using Port Forwarding
{% endtab %}
{% tab title="Virtual Private Network (VPN)" %}
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) allows you to join a virtual network provided by a centralized server. All communication goes through the centralized server and then is shared between peers connected to the same network.
**Pros**
* No port forwarding required
* Easy to set up and use
* Works with restricted networks such as CGNAT/shared public IP
**Cons**
* Direct connection is not possible in some instances. Communication will be relayed through the centralized server, which can severely degrade performance
* Requires all players to install and configure the VPN client
* Your external IP address is shared with the VPN service
Host using VPN
{% endtab %}
{% tab title="LAN (Local)" %}
Fika supports hosting on a local server with or without access to Internet. A router is required to be able to establish a connection to the local IP address of the server.
Host over LAN
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