# How to set up a private Mumble voice chat server

## Introduction <a href="#introduction" id="introduction"></a>

In the realm of [online gaming](https://nordvpn.com/gaming/) and collaborative work, clear and reliable vocal communication is crucial. Whether you're strategizing with your teammates during a heated match or collaborating on a [joint project](https://nordvpn.com/meshnet/joint-projects/), efficient communication can make all the difference.

[Mumble](https://www.mumble.info/) is a popular, free, and open-source software tool designed for voice chat that provides high-quality, low-latency communication between users. By hosting your own Mumble server, you can customize your server configuration, manage user permissions, and avoid dependence on cloud-based communication services. However, accepting outside connections to your self-hosted server requires [port forwarding](https://nordvpn.com/blog/port-forwarding/), which can greatly reduce the security of your home network.

[Meshnet](https://nordvpn.com/meshnet/) provides technology for connecting remote devices to a single virtual network. This setup allows other devices in your Meshnet to connect remotely to your Mumble server without opening any ports in your [firewall](https://nordvpn.com/cybersecurity/glossary/firewall/).

This article will showcase how you can configure a personal Mumble server on Windows, macOS, and Linux and connect to it from other devices in your Meshnet.

## Set up the Mumble server <a href="#set-up-the-mumble-server" id="set-up-the-mumble-server"></a>

To begin, you need to install the Mumble server software on the device that will host your server.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Windows" %}

### Install the Mumble server <a href="#install-the-mumble-server" id="install-the-mumble-server"></a>

To install the Mumble server on Windows:

1. Visit the [Mumble downloads page](https://www.mumble.info/downloads/).
2. Download the **Windows server (x64)** installer file.
3. Launch the downloaded file.
4. Follow the instructions provided by the installation wizard.
5. Click **Finish** to complete the installation.

### Configure your server <a href="#configure-your-server" id="configure-your-server"></a>

To configure and start your Mumble server on Windows:

1. Open **PowerShell**.
2. Execute the following command to create a new `Mumble` folder with a `Murmur` subfolder in your Local AppData directory, and then navigate to the `Murmur` folder.\
   &#x20;

   <pre class="language-bash" data-overflow="wrap"><code class="lang-bash">mkdir $env:LOCALAPPDATA/Mumble/Murmur; cd $env:LOCALAPPDATA/Mumble/Murmur
   </code></pre>

   &#x20;
3. Create the `murmur.ini` server configuration file and open it using Notepad by running this command:

   &#x20;

   <pre class="language-batch" data-overflow="wrap"><code class="lang-batch">notepad murmur.ini
   </code></pre>

   &#x20;\
   When prompted to create the file, click **Yes**.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FbAFby9Q3jzB8EigeQKeb%2Fmumble_win_server_notepad.png?alt=media&#x26;token=8b10c14a-3102-4af9-89f0-198b050412df" alt="Notepad pop-up dialog asking to create the &#x27;murmur.ini&#x27; file." width="335"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

   &#x20;
4. Copy the contents of the `mumble-server.ini` file from [Mumble’s GitHub repository](https://github.com/mumble-voip/mumble/blob/master/auxiliary_files/mumble-server.ini) and paste it to the Notepad window.
5. Press **Ctrl** + **S** to save changes.
6. Exit Notepad.
7. Launch **Mumble server**.

Once the server is launched, you should see the Mumble server icon in your system tray.

<div align="left"><figure><picture><source srcset="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FsZWkySeOyXwIMRBFhkjn%2Fmumble_win_server_tray_dark.png?alt=media&#x26;token=76734880-a2cf-4554-81af-126c2010794e" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2F6PReEwCj7eIoA7jWv3FC%2Fmumble_win_server_tray.png?alt=media&#x26;token=679ee9e6-d989-48a1-b51d-13e318d198c5" alt="Mumble server icon in the Windows system tray." width="193"></picture><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note**

If the **Windows security alert** box appears, select both the *private* and *public* networks options, and then click the **Allow access** button to allow incoming connections through the firewall.

![Windows Defender Firewall prompt with both options selected and the "Allow access" button highlighted.](https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2F334NpHu8dRaGnkXsJiDt%2Fmumble_win_fw.png?alt=media\&token=f87b7e60-955b-4af8-ac05-0207157aab34)
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip**

You can make changes to the `murmur.ini` configuration file to customize your Mumble server. Learn more about the available options in the configuration file in the [Mumble wiki](https://wiki.mumble.info/wiki/Murmur.ini).
{% endhint %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="macOS" %}

### Download the Mumble server file <a href="#download-the-mumble-server-file" id="download-the-mumble-server-file"></a>

On macOS, you don’t have to install a separate package for the Mumble server. You only need to download the server file.

1. Visit the [Mumble downloads page](https://www.mumble.info/downloads/).
2. Download the **Static macOS server (x64)** file.
3. Place the downloaded file in a convenient location for future access.

### Configure your server <a href="#configure-your-server.1" id="configure-your-server.1"></a>

To configure your Mumble server:

1. Open **Terminal**.
2. Execute the following command to create a new hidden `murmurd` folder and navigate to it:\
   &#x20;

   <pre class="language-bash" data-overflow="wrap"><code class="lang-bash">mkdir ~/.murmurd &#x26;&#x26; cd ~/.murmur
   </code></pre>

   &#x20;
3. Create the `murmur.ini` server configuration file and open it using the Nano text editor by running this command:\
   &#x20;

   <pre class="language-bash" data-overflow="wrap"><code class="lang-bash">nano murmur.ini
   </code></pre>

   &#x20;
4. Copy the contents of the `mumble-server.ini` file from [Mumble’s GitHub repository](https://github.com/mumble-voip/mumble/blob/master/auxiliary_files/mumble-server.ini) and paste it to the terminal window.
5. Press **Control ⌃** + **X**, **Y**, and **Return** to save changes and exit.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip**

You can make changes to the `murmur.ini` configuration file to customize your Mumble server. To learn more about the available options in the configuration file in the [Mumble wiki](https://wiki.mumble.info/wiki/Murmur.ini).
{% endhint %}

### Launch your server <a href="#launch-your-server" id="launch-your-server"></a>

To start your Mumble server:

1. Open **Terminal**.
2. Navigate to the previously downloaded server file’s location using the `cd` command.\
   &#x20;\
   **Example**

   <pre class="language-bash" data-overflow="wrap"><code class="lang-bash">cd ~/Desktop/Mumble
   </code></pre>

   &#x20;&#x20;
3. Grant the server file executable permissions by entering:\
   &#x20;

   <pre class="language-bash" data-overflow="wrap"><code class="lang-bash">chmod +x mumble_server*
   </code></pre>

   &#x20;
4. Run the following command to start the server file:\
   &#x20;

   <pre class="language-bash" data-overflow="wrap"><code class="lang-bash">./mumble_server* -fg
   </code></pre>

Your server should now be active. The terminal window that you used to start the server must be kept active for the server to run.

To stop the server, click **Control ⌃** + **C** in the terminal window.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note**

When trying to start the Mumble server, you may receive an error message indicating that the developer cannot be verified. To proceed, open **System preferences** > **Privacy & security**, scroll down and click **Allow anyway**.\
\ <picture><source srcset="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FeoO68SCJOuPmcohgZ3IB%2Fmumble_mac_server_allow_dark.png?alt=media&#x26;token=eac1487d-c36d-462b-b91e-55cac9eb7dca" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FXyLQIbjGDeZIjyrNYw2B%2Fmumble_mac_server_allow.png?alt=media&#x26;token=01195783-9eef-4eb7-b8b5-2ba13b0647d8" alt="Clicking &#x27;Allow anyway&#x27; in the macOS system preferences."></picture>
{% endhint %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Linux" %}
{% hint style="info" %}
**Note**

In this article, Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS distribution is used as an example.
{% endhint %}

### Install the Mumble server <a href="#install-the-mumble-server.1" id="install-the-mumble-server.1"></a>

To install the Mumble server on Linux:

1. Open **Terminal**.
2. Fetch all repository updates and install the Mumble server with this command:\
   &#x20;

   <pre class="language-bash" data-overflow="wrap"><code class="lang-bash">sudo apt update &#x26;&#x26; sudo apt install mumble-server -y
   </code></pre>

Once the process is over, the Mumble server software is installed on your device.

### Configure your server <a href="#configure-your-server.2" id="configure-your-server.2"></a>

After installing, configure the settings for your server by taking these steps:

1. Open **Terminal**.
2. Start the Mumble server configuration wizard by running the following command:\
   &#x20;

   <pre class="language-bash" data-overflow="wrap"><code class="lang-bash">sudo dpkg-reconfigure mumble-server
   </code></pre>

   &#x20;
3. Select **Yes** to start your Mumble server automatically with each system reboot and allow higher network priority.
4. Create a secure password for your Mumble server super user and select **OK** to finish the configuration.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2Ffq0ZtI4PA2qWw6NF8RuO%2Fmumble_linux_server_config.png?alt=media&#x26;token=993f4f99-6831-4b37-a172-4a37574880d7" alt="Entering the super user password in the mumble-server configuration wizard." width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

Your server is now active and ready for use.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip**

You can make additional changes to the `/etc/mumble-server.ini` configuration file to customize your Mumble server. To learn more about the available options in the configuration file in the [Mumble wiki](https://wiki.mumble.info/wiki/Murmur.ini).
{% endhint %}
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

## Connecting to your Mumble server over Meshnet <a href="#connecting-to-your-mumble-server-over-meshnet" id="connecting-to-your-mumble-server-over-meshnet"></a>

With the server up and running, you and your friends can join the Mumble voice chat using Meshnet.

### Install the Mumble client <a href="#install-the-mumble-client" id="install-the-mumble-client"></a>

First, you need to install the Mumble client. You can download the Mumble client installer files for Windows and macOS from the [Mumble downloads page](https://www.mumble.info/downloads/).

For Linux, execute the following command in the terminal:

{% code overflow="wrap" %}

```bash
sudo apt install mumble -y
```

{% endcode %}

### Connect to your server <a href="#connect-to-your-server" id="connect-to-your-server"></a>

Once the client is installed, take the following steps to connect to your Mumble server:

1. Launch **Mumble**.
2. Follow the instructions provided by the initial setup wizard.
3. In the upper-left corner, click the **Open the server connection dialog** button.

   <div align="left"><figure><picture><source srcset="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2Fxi8Z2kVJM2miszi7c7S3%2Fmumble_connect_icon_dark.png?alt=media&#x26;token=f678b1f4-f1c0-4025-9b4a-34a74f03d66b" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FqBcFA3p9E3Lz1a9AwkIk%2Fmumble_connect_icon.png?alt=media&#x26;token=344be45c-8f13-4162-9591-81abf8804de3" alt="Clicking the &#x27;Open the server connection dialog&#x27; button in the Mumble client."></picture><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

   &#x20;
4. Select **Add new**.
5. In the new pop-up window, fill in the following information:
   * In the **Address** field, enter the server device’s Nord name or Meshnet IP address. \
     If you are connecting from the same device that is running the Mumble server, enter `localhost` instead.
   * In the **Username** field, enter your custom username.
   * In the **Label** field, enter a custom name for the server.\
     &#x20;\
     **Example**

     <div align="left"><figure><picture><source srcset="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2F6rvcT9H6kiSFHPiPO7IX%2Fmumble_connection_details_dark.png?alt=media&#x26;token=ab5e527e-d443-4b83-8a6a-dc0cba106493" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FjX5cd6O3WunGKKBj6tRU%2Fmumble_connection_details.png?alt=media&#x26;token=64fd22a7-dfd2-4ea2-a71a-3025905b2fb2" alt="Dialog filled in with Mumble server information." width="563"></picture><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

     &#x20;
6. Click **OK** and **Connect**.
7. Select **Yes** to accept the server certificate.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note**

If you [change the port number](https://nordvpn.com/blog/what-is-my-port/) in the server configuration file, you must also specify the correct port number when connecting to the server.
{% endhint %}

You should now be connected to your personal Mumble server over Meshnet.

<div align="left"><figure><picture><source srcset="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2Flkim38wg4Xe4za13gXSL%2Fmumble_connected_dark.png?alt=media&#x26;token=783aee0e-aeeb-40de-acaa-3b09f4d8f7a9" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FV6AYQixmH4GbEnHcHpy9%2Fmumble_connected.png?alt=media&#x26;token=060d9750-0efb-4cd1-9231-b73f686bd061" alt="Three clients connected to the Mumble server."></picture><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>


---

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```
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