Using registered FSUIPC to connect over network without WideFS

[LittlePaulio]

Okay, I don't know if this is common knowledge, but after reading and re-reading the sections of the Plan-G that dealt with running Plan-G on a networked computer I was under the impression that you needed to buy WideFS which contains the WideClient.exe to connect over a network. I had already paid €29.52 for a registered version of FSUIPC4 and I certainly didn't want to have to pay the same amount for WideFS7. If people already know this, please disregard what follows.

So, after literally a full day of trying to connect (trying Simconnect, IPv4, IPv6) from my laptop where Plan-G was installed to my FSX Desktop I just figured I was one of those people it was never going to work properly before. I had installed it on my desktop in order to build the database and the next day I tried it locally and of course it worked fine. The only problem is that I only have two monitors and I like to use one for my VC and the other for 2d panels, controls, etc. I also always play in fullscreen mode, so the inability to play in this mode was very frustrating, even if I was to get a third monitor. But....I absolutely loved the software! It was my first proper flight planner with a moving maps with loads of customisation items, yet I found the UI and design very user-friendly and I soon realised that I wanted this big time.

However, the following day before I even properly investigating where the problem was, I noticed a server program on my FSX PC from Phawary Labs. It apparently had been left over from when I demoed an Android tablet radio stack app (I don't even remember if I ever actually tried it). Anyway....I opened it and was presented with an what was a FSUIPC server with an extremely simple interface. All I had to do I think was to enter the IP address of my Plan-G laptop (I would have to confirm it wasn't the IP address of where FSUIPC was located, ie my FSX machine but I'm not near my FSX machine where the server software is installed) and I left the port number at it's default. I then started FSX to interface with FSUIPC. I started Plan-G on my laptop and under FS connections I chose FSUIPC as the connection method, inserted my FSX machine's IP and the port number from the server program. So, not very optimistically I hit the connect button....and hey presto, it connected immediately. As a test I tried to build the scenery database by pointing Plan-G at the FSX.exe and my main FSX folder which I had mapped as a network drive. The whole transfer took a couple of minutes!

I then created a flightplan in FSX from Heathrow to London City I think and Plan-G immediately located me and imported the flight plan and proceeded to follow me. I continued to play around with everything for at least 3 hours, and I didn't experience a single crash of any of the multiple programs I was running (FSX, FSUIPC server, TrackIR5 software, EZDok, several 3rd party sceneries and aircraft and Plan-G on the laptop). I was extremely impressed by this because the FlightConnect software I use for the far more basic Android app, FlightMap, more often then I'm happy with.

So, I'm an extremely happy punter who can finally learn the art of flight planning and the different modes of navigation, and retain the use of both my desktop monitors, and both in FSX full-screen mode. I'm sure there are other FSUIPC server programs available, but this one is tiny, incredibly stable and simple to use.

Hope this helps someone! You will need a registered version of FSUIPC though, but at least you don't have to fork out for WideFS7 as well. All questions are welcome. Again I apologise if this common knowledge.

Paul