Background
When a CopyMinder client application starts up on a Floating installation, it needs to locate the CopyMinder Server on the local network. CopyMinder uses a multicast UDP broadcast to the address 239.255.219.184 to auto-detect the server. This is a local network discovery mechanism – it is not an internet address and is not routed beyond the local subnet.
Why This Address Cannot Be Pinged
239.255.219.184 is an IPv4 multicast group address. Standard ping (ICMP echo) tools do not work against multicast addresses because multicast is a one-to-many delivery mechanism – there is no single host to respond to a ping. Network monitoring tools and firewall administrators who see this address in traffic logs sometimes flag it as suspicious or attempt to block it. This is not necessary and will not affect normal CopyMinder operation in most cases.
If Auto-Detect Fails
If the CopyMinder client cannot automatically locate the server via multicast (for example, in networks that suppress multicast traffic), the server address can be entered manually:
- In the CopyMinder client configuration, locate the server address field.
- Enter the IP address or fully-qualified domain name (FQDN) of the computer running the CopyMinder Server process.
- Save the configuration and relaunch the HydroComp application.
Refer to the HydroComp Floating setup documentation (attached to the original license delivery email, or available from support) for the specific configuration steps.
Firewall Considerations
The CopyMinder multicast discovery uses UDP on the local network. Most environments require no special firewall rule. In environments with host-based firewalls (Windows Defender Firewall, corporate endpoint protection), allow the CopyMinder Server application through the firewall. If multicast is suppressed at the network switch level, use manual server address entry as described above.
For separate-network scenarios such as VPN and remote access, see the related article on roaming and VPN licensing.
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