How do I network two PCs for a home flight simulator?

To network two PCs for a home flight simulator, connect both by Ethernet to the same router or gigabit switch, assign each a stable local IP address, allow the simulator or networking add-on through the firewall, then configure one PC as the flight host and the other as an instrument, view or client machine.

This arrangement works across Microsoft Flight Simulator, FSX, X-Plane and Prepar3D when the simulator or add-on explicitly supports networking. It does not combine two processors or graphics cards into one faster computer.

What can a second flight simulator PC do?

A second PC can run instruments, companion applications, instructor controls or synchronised outside views, but each job requires a suitable networking method.

Decide on these roles before buying hardware. Our advice on planning the controls, displays and PC roles in a complete cockpit helps prevent duplicated equipment and unnecessary software.

How do I connect the two PCs over a LAN?

The most reliable arrangement is a wired local network with one machine designated as the authoritative simulator host.

1. Confirm that the software supports networking. Look for a server, client, external visual, instructor station or remote connection mode. Merely placing two computers on the same network cannot make an unsupported application exchange simulator data.
2. Connect both PCs by Ethernet. Plug them into the same router or network switch. A direct Ethernet cable can also work, but a switch or router makes address assignment and troubleshooting easier. Wi-Fi may be adequate for a map, but latency and packet loss can make synchronised views jump or lag.
3. Give both PCs stable local addresses. A DHCP reservation in the router is usually safer than manually assigning an address because it avoids accidental conflicts. Use ipconfig on Windows to find each machine's IPv4 address and subnet.
4. Test local communication. From one PC, run a command such as ping 192.168.1.20, substituting the other computer's address. A failed ping may indicate the wrong subnet, an isolated guest network or a firewall rule, although some firewalls block ping while still allowing simulator traffic.
5. Permit the simulator components through the firewall. Mark a trusted home LAN as a private network and create permissions for the simulator, connector and required ports on both machines. Do not leave the firewall disabled. Port forwarding on the router is not required for two PCs communicating on the same LAN.
6. Enter the host details. Configure the second PC with the main computer's local IPv4 address, the specified port and the correct protocol. Start the host or server component before connecting the client.
7. Test a simple flight first. Use a default aircraft, clear weather and a quiet airport. Add complex aircraft, weather engines, AI traffic and extra panels one at a time after the basic connection works.

How do different simulators handle a second PC?

The networking method depends on whether the second computer is running a full simulator, an external view or only a companion application.

• Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024: a second PC is not an automatic rendering node. Networked panels and utilities need a compatible connector or API, while distributed outside views require software designed to synchronise separate simulator instances.
• FSX: remote applications commonly use SimConnect, with SimConnect.xml on the host side and SimConnect.cfg for the client configuration. The address, protocol and port must agree. For a purpose-built option, see this FSX utility for synchronising cockpit or outside views across two machines. A more extensive alternative is the FSX view and traffic synchronisation package; check compatibility with the exact simulator and add-ons being used.
• X-Plane: built-in network roles can support functions such as external visuals and instructor controls. Keep the simulator release, scenery, aircraft and relevant settings aligned on every machine rendering the scene.
• Prepar3D: use its supported networking interfaces or a compatible multi-channel solution. The required installation and licence arrangement depends on the software performing the synchronisation.

Do both PCs need the simulator and add-ons?

Only a PC rendering its own simulator view normally needs a complete simulator installation; an instrument or map client may need only its own application and connector.

When both machines render the world, match the simulator build, aircraft, airport scenery, terrain, time and weather. Mismatched scenery can place a runway, parking stand or building differently on each display. Complex aircraft may also contain custom systems that are not exposed through standard simulator variables, so switch positions or animations may require aircraft-specific support.

Each simulator or add-on installation must comply with its licence terms. Do not assume one purchase permits simultaneous full installations on multiple PCs.

Why will the second PC not connect or stay synchronised?

Most two-PC simulator failures come from addressing, firewall or version mismatches rather than insufficient network speed.

• The host address changed: reserve the host PC's address in the router and update the client configuration.
• The machines are isolated: guest Wi-Fi and access-point isolation can prevent devices from seeing one another even though both have internet access.
• The wrong network adapter is selected: VPNs and virtual adapters can make software bind to an unusable address. Test with them disconnected or select the Ethernet adapter explicitly where supported.
• A firewall is blocking the connector: allow both the executable and its documented ports on the private network. Third-party security software may have a separate firewall.
• The software does not match: use compatible simulator, aircraft, connector and synchronisation-tool versions on both systems.
• The client view stutters: check Ethernet link speed, Wi-Fi packet loss and the client PC's own CPU and GPU load. Synchronisation software cannot compensate for a client that cannot render the selected scenery smoothly.
• Views do not line up: match camera position, field of view, display resolution, scenery and weather. AI traffic also needs explicit synchronisation; it is not automatically identical on separate simulator installations.

Will networking two PCs improve flight simulator performance?

No, networking does not pool the computers' processing power, memory or graphics hardware.

It can reduce the main PC's workload when instrument panels, maps or support applications move to the second machine. A second rendered outside view still has to be generated independently, however, and closely matched frame rates usually give a better result across adjoining displays.

If the goal is only a wider desktop rather than independent rendering, one PC with multiple video outputs is simpler. Our guide to deciding how many simulator displays are actually useful covers that choice without duplicating the full networking setup.