# NetBird Signal

NetBird Signal is the lightweight coordination service for the NetBird virtual private network (VPN) platform that helps devices negotiate direct WireGuard connections without storing data or forwarding traffic, and it. It is open source and self-hosted, installable on Proxmox, Docker Hub and Unraid.

Canonical page: https://ourlocalhost.com/app/891/netbird-signal

## Description

NetBird Signal is the lightweight coordination service for the NetBird virtual private network (VPN) platform that helps devices negotiate direct WireGuard connections without storing data or forwarding traffic, and it is a required component for users building secure, self-hosted NetBird networks.

## Platform availability

Available on 4 of 9 platforms: Unraid, Proxmox, Mac, Windows.

## Desktop and other devices

Mac, Windows.

## Health score

82/100 (Excellent), based on 4 of 4 factors.
- Maintained: 100 (last commit 16 days ago)
- Popular: 89 (29,812 GitHub stars)
- Easy to install: 55 (3 install platforms, install notes, Docker image)
- Light to run: 60 (2 GB minimum RAM, runs on ARM)

## Links

- GitHub: https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird
- Proxmox: https://community-scripts.github.io/ProxmoxVE/scripts?id=add-netbird-lxc
- Docker Hub: https://hub.docker.com/r/netbirdio/signal/
- Official website: https://netbird.io
- desktop: https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/releases/latest
- Unraid: https://ca.unraid.net/apps/netbird-signal-1qvlofg1vb7sk0?q=NetBird-Signal
- Documentation: https://docs.netbird.io/

## Common questions

### Does NetBird send all peer traffic through the self-hosted server?

No, there is no centralized VPN server with NetBird. Devices connect directly to each other over an encrypted tunnel in a point-to-point WireGuard overlay.

### Which setup variables should I configure before starting self-hosted NetBird?

Set NETBIRD_DOMAIN and NETBIRD_LETSENCRYPT_EMAIL in setup.env before starting NetBird. They set the web address and the email used by Let's Encrypt, so missing or wrong values can prevent secure logins.

### How do I create the owner account in a fresh self-hosted install?

After the service starts, use the first-run setup to create the owner account with an email and password. Without that account you cannot sign in, manage devices, or create setup keys.

### How do I join a Windows machine to my NetBird network?

Create a setup key in NetBird and run netbird up --setup-key on the device with that key. It automatically registers the device, and skipping it means the device will not connect.

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- Serveo: Serveo exposes local servers to the internet using SSH tunneling.
- SoftEther VPN: SoftEther VPN ("SoftEther" means "Software Ethernet") is one of the world's most powerful and easy-to-use multi-protoco…
- Tailscale: Private networks made easy.
- Twingate-Connector
- ZeroTier: ZeroTier is an open-source, cross-platform virtual LAN/VPN service that connects your devices and servers into one private network, so you…

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Source: Our Local Host (https://ourlocalhost.com/app/891/netbird-signal), the self-hosted and open-source app directory.