# Shared Network Settings

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** Shared network settings are available in Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro and Business Editions only.
{% endhint %}

To change the shared networking settings, select the **Network** tab of Parallels Desktop Preferences and click **Shared**. You will see the following window:

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/q6ZB3X3K5enPA8uzi8rL/blobs/zApU9P8FxbrsndeuMdvR/Screenshot%202024-02-01%20at%2023.54.44.png" alt="" width="528"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

In this window, you can make the necessary changes to the settings of the Parallels DHCP servers for IPv4 and IPv6. These servers, enabled by default, automatically assign IP addresses to your virtual machines operating in the shared networking mode. To disable any of these servers, clear the corresponding option.

For more information about configuring shared networking, refer to [**Share Network Access between macOS and Windows**](https://docs.parallels.com/landing/pdfm-ug/v19-en-us/parallels-desktop-for-mac-19-users-guide/use-windows-on-your-mac/connecting-to-the-internet-or-a-network/sharing-network-access-between-macos-and-windows).

### Port Forwarding

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** Port forwarding is only available in Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro and Business Editions only.
{% endhint %}

Normally, virtual machines set to operate in the shared networking mode cannot be accessed from external computers. The port forwarding functionality allows computers on your local network and on the Internet to transfer data to any of your virtual machines that use the shared networking mode. The data sent to a specific port on your Mac will be redirected to a specific port of your virtual machine according to the port-forwarding rule.

To add a port forwarding rule:

1. Click the **Add** button (+) below the **Port forwarding rules** list.
2. In the displayed window, do the following:
   * In the **Protocol** field, specify the port type you want to use for establishing network connections. You can choose between the **TCP** or **UDP** port types.
   * In the **Source Port** field, type the number of the incoming port on your Mac.
   * In the **Forward to** section, indicate the name or IP address of the virtual machine you want to connect.
   * In the **Destination Port** field, type the port on the virtual machine to which the data will be transferred.<br>

     <figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/q6ZB3X3K5enPA8uzi8rL/blobs/HGdY8EB6KM49dXAGIRUu/Screenshot%202024-02-01%20at%2023.56.08.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
3. Click **OK** to add the rule.

When the rule is added, use the following IP address combination for external connections to your virtual machine: `<you Mac's IP address>:<Incoming port>`.

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/q6ZB3X3K5enPA8uzi8rL/blobs/NZRH2orKRvIMLk67uZwU/image.png" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

To edit a rule, select it in the **Port forwarding rules** list, click the **Edit** button, modify the necessary settings, and click **OK** to apply them.

To remove a port forwarding rule, select it in the **Port forwarding rules** list and click the **Remove** button (-).

To restore the default settings, click **Restore Defaults**.


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