Multiple Moonlight instances (to pair with Multiple Apollo instances)

[AokiMarcel-dev]

Hi, wanted to start thanking you for all the work you've put into this fork! The project is amazing. Loved using Moonlight+Sunshine, and Apollo makes this combo even better, with the virtual displays and auto resolution/refresh. Now I'm able to easily use my Legion Go as an additional display.

Now for my suggestion (not sure if it's already out there / work around in place, couldn't find it yet): An extension to your solution for multiple Apollo instances (as written in your wiki, and also in @drajabr's repo you link on the same wiki). Which is multiple moonlight instances, each containing a different connection to the separate Apollo instances.

Background why: I have the Legion go + portable monitor that I'd like to both be connected to the same gaming PC host. When I created the multiple Apollo instances, one for the Legion go screen and one for the portable monitor (following both guides above), I was able to connect 2 different instances of moonlight to each. Issue is that since it's the same host, with the same IP (but different ports and sunshine_name in their respective sunshine_x.conf) for some reason moonlight replaces one connection with the other (and they're not automatically found through the moonlight scan, only one of the instances shows up). The only work around i found was to open moonlight twice, connect to Apollo Instance #1, then go to second moonlight, and manually add the PC with the Apollo Instance #2 port. This then replaces the first connection and now I have both connections.

So every time I want to reproduce this setup, I need to manually add the other connection that got replaced (which I believe happens since it's the same IP). Would be nice to have different connections appearing for each port. And possibly have a way to manually create more virtual displays and project them to the additional monitors, using one single Artemis (once that's available on other platforms) and one single Apollo client. I read on other posts you have something like that planned, just don't have the time to do it.

[ClassicOldSong]

Do not copy over the state file, instead you should remove one of them and let them auto recreate. The state file contains the server identity which is generated only once per instance, copying them makes them identical to the clients.

[AokiMarcel-dev]

Awesome, that worked! thanks a lot. You're a machine man, such fast replies, most of the issues/discussions recognize that and I'm impressed as well!

I think the

"3. Add json state files: create as many empty .json files to be used as state file, like sunshine_1.josn, sunshine_3.josn, and sunshine_3.josn. You can copy the first sunshinbe_state.json so the 3 instances will use same username/pass combination."

part of the Drajabr's tutorial misled me to this.

Thanks again, it's perfect now! Hope I get a chance to support your patreon eventually =)

[drajabr]

Thanks @AokiMarcel-dev for your feedback, I already updated it.

I agree with you on that @ClassicOldSong Is a real machine 😜

And btw nice setup : )

[AokiMarcel-dev]

Lol, sorry, the misled was harsh hahah, didn't find a better word for it. I used your guide for hours yesterday, it's awesome (as I mentioned in the issue I opened on your repo =] ). The USB for Android portion awesome, great idea! Will try to implement here as well. And the PowerShell is fantastic too, without the need for any additional applications.

[drajabr]

Its okay, please let me know if there's something else is unclear/misleading about the rest of setup, tbh I believe I rewrite is needed, my english sucked, and probably someone can compile the same guide with far less words/sentences than I used.

[ClassicOldSong]

Your English is good enough to me, I'm not a native speaker as well and I can totally understand what you're saying

[YouDoMeIDoYou]

Hi all,

first thanks also from my side to @ClassicOldSong for initiating Apollo which makes the sunshine/moonlight experience even better by introducing VDA! At least for Windows VMs this makes my dream of using multiple displays without tools like parsec or RustDesk come more true :) Ultimately Linux support would be a mind blower!
Also thanks for @drajabr for your instructions on how to set up a multi monitor solution!

What I am trying to achieve is a dual display Apollo <> Moonlight solution.

My test setup:

Host:

• Windows 11 23H2
• Nvidia 1080 Ti
• Sunshine uninstalled
• Apollo 0.3.4 installed

Client:

• Moonlight 6.1.0 on Debian
• Nvidia 1080 Ti

A single desktop or virtual desktop connection worked seamlessly.
Then I read the following instructions in order to start two Apollo and two Moonlight instances for each of my dual display setup:

• "How to start multiple instances of Apollo" from @ClassicOldSong
• "My-Sunshine-setup" from @drajabr

Unfortunately I wasn't able to get a second instance of Apollo up and running.
Here my steps and questions according to the first guide by @ClassicOldSong:

1. Copy the configuration file:
   Start by copying the sunshine.conf file from your Apollo installation and name it something like sunshine_2.conf. This file will be used for the second instance.

No problems here I would say. Only admin rights needed and created sunshine_2.conf

2. Modify the configuration file:
   To ensure the second instance runs in parallel with the original one, modify the following entries in the sunshine_2.conf file:
   port = 48989
   sunshine_name = Apollo2
   file_state = apollo_state2.json
   log_path = apollo2.log

In "sunshine.conf" I only find a one liner: server_cmd = [{"name":"Bubbles","cmd":"bubbles.scr","elevated":false}]

• Not sure what you mean by "modify"? Is this a modification of existing or an addition of information?
• Does this existing line set the default configuration in the web-ui and therefore doesn't need further information?

--> I added your entries below the existing line

3. Start the second Apollo instance:
   Once the configuration file is ready, start the second Apollo instance by running:
   sunshine.exe path\to\sunshine_2.conf
   Make sure you run it with SYSTEM privilege to ensure full functionality.

I elevated my rights according to this video and tried a sunshine.exe path\to\sunshine_2.conf without success. I see Apollo logs in CMD, but no second instance is visible. I assumed a second Apollo icon in the taskbar.

Then I had a closer look at the instructions of @drajabr and was a bit overwhelmed by his AHK script. So I decided to include his steps about the .json files first and see if I get it manually running

5. Add json state files: create as many empty .json files to be used as state file, like sunshine_1.josn, sunshine_3.josn, and sunshine_3.josn.

Since I read @ClassicOldSong's answer on @AokiMarcel-dev's initial question I made the mistake and deleted the sunshine_state.json file and realized that I had to re-enter my credentials again. This raised the question, if multiple .json files would end up in individual web uis with individual settings per instance? Or will there be only one web ui, but multiple Apollo instances listening to other ports?
--> I then simply created a empty sunshine_state2.jsonfile in the hope this file would get filled with information from sunshine_2.conf, but also no success by running sunshine.exe path\to\sunshine_2.conf again.

Then I decided to stick more to @drajabr's instructions:

1. Install Apollo Download and install sunshine's fork Apollo from https://github.com/ClassicOldSong/Apollo/releases

Already done

2. install AutoHotKey Download and install v1, and v2 from https://www.autohotkey.com/

Did this

3. Clone the repo to local folder, last update ditched powershell script in favour of AutoHotKey script doing everything

Cloned the repo to my downloads folder and unzipped it

4. Now, inside config directory C:\Program Files\Apollo\config. Add '.conf files', you can use mine from repo as starting point, just make sure you create the '.json' files for each instance.

Why do the config files from @drajabr contain additional parameters? Are they documented somewhere?

--> Added the content of @drajabr's sunshine_1.conf to my sunshine_2.conf, let my empty sunshine_state2.json untouched and tried a CMD prompt with sunshine.exe path\to\sunshine_2.conf again > no success

5. Add json state files: create as many empty .json files to be used as state file, like sunshine_1.josn, sunshine_3.josn, and sunshine_3.josn.

This was already done

6. Check inside the AHK script ApolloBulkAutomation.ahk for filenames and paths

Where should I look for filenames and paths? Not sure where to adjust @drajabr's file names to mine ...

7. Run script as adminstrator, check log file inside script folder for errors..

Did this > no additional Apollo icon appeared in the taskbar. Also Moonlight doesn't show me additional connectivity options.
What script folder is meant? I can't find a folder with this name ...

8. If everything is fine, add the script as schduled task on startup

Would love to do so :P

Sorry for my long question, but I'd really like to proceed here - thanks!

[FTL-User-Ice]

Fantastic guide, it worked perfectly. I've been looking around and was wondering if it's possible to have separate audio outputs for each client? In an ideal world, I'd be able to stream a video to my raspberry pi while playing a game on my steamdeck without overlapping audio but not sure if that's possible.

[drajabr]

@FTL-User-Ice Yes its possible. I did it with 3 separated output devices, and in windows 11 you can specify output device for each app separately even in browser there's extension to select output device for each tab if you want.

BTW, I just finished the first preview pre-release of my new GUI tool to create multiple configurations and launch multiple instances, not perfect yet, but a LOT of features coming soon! And ofc setting separated audio device for each instance is on the roadmap.

Check it out at https://github.com/drajabr/Apollo-Fleet-Launcher

[FTL-User-Ice]

@drajabr How do you have Apollo audio and moonlight/artemis configured? If I manually set an output device for each instance it still just outputs whatever the default device is on Windows regardless of whatever settings I toggle in both.

[drajabr]

@drajabr How do you have Apollo audio and moonlight/artemis configured? If I manually set an output device for each instance it still just outputs whatever the default device is on Windows regardless of whatever settings I toggle in both.

Oh, sorry to get you confused, you don't set an output device for each instance, instead, in instance configuration, you configure the Virtual Sink option in each instance to a different "Windows output device" that is the device the instance will capture.

Now lets assume you properly configured 2 virtual audio devices "or more if you need" You take its name for each one and put it in its corresponding instance based on your needs. Use audio-info.exe that you can find in C:\Program Files\Apollo\tools to get info about your audio devices you have. or just from the control panel : )

And yes, its feasible for your use case.

But, if you just use that raspberry pi to stream a video, Can't you just play the video stream directly on it?

[drajabr]

@FTL-User-Ice You can check my tool I already added Audio Selector if you're still interested in such setup https://github.com/drajabr/Apollo-Fleet-Launcher

[drajabr]

I'm working on a simple GUI-based tool to do particularly this, currently its basic functionality but more features coming soon (very soon)

You can check it at: https://github.com/drajabr/Apollo-Fleet-Launcher

[drajabr]

If that's all you need you can do it with single instance already, Apollo has multi client support, multiple devices can connect to single instance and you also have permissions to set some of them view only and some of them input etc.

And yes, if one stream consumes 30mb/s 2 will consume 60, and so on, you need to check if your 1gbps link is symmetric (1gbps up / 1gbps down which is rare) as you will be limited of how much is your uplink capacity, lets say your home uplink is 100mbps it will be enough to 3 streams max (assuming 30mbps each) , but again, link quality is more important than bandwidth

[hackernich]

can you explain how i can connect multiple client without doing the stuff you post here , also i use 2 android devices with artemis , how i can connect each device without multiple istances?

[drajabr]

With only 1 instance running use the same address:port to connect as many devices you want:

1. Pair device 1 > it will take full permission "view, input, launch apps"
2. Pair device 2 > it will take view only permission
3. Pair device 3 > it will take view only permission
   etc

Now, if you want to allow client device 2 and 3 to launch apps and interact (input) you just set the permissions as referenced in this link

[hackernich]

ok thanks , i ve already pair 2 devices but if i enter in one the other stop streaming , what is my mistake about it ? maybe it depends on permission grantend right ?

[hackernich]

With only 1 instance running use the same address:port to connect as many devices you want:

1. Pair device 1 > it will take full permission "view, input, launch apps"
2. Pair device 2 > it will take view only permission
3. Pair device 3 > it will take view only permission
   etc

Now, if you want to allow client device 2 and 3 to launch apps and interact (input) you just set the permissions as referenced in this link

thanks it works ;)

[Bueno-Baguette]

Hi there, will this solution (or apollo fleet manager) can manage two separate virtual display SudoVDA ? or do i need to install a second virtual display tool ? many thanksk

[ClassicOldSong]

1. Yes
2. No