installation
Installing PacketPilot Config
Download
Download the Windows package from:
https://packetpilot.db-electronics.no/api/download/config
The download is a .zip archive. Extract it to a permanent location — for example C:\PacketPilot — then run packetpilot-config.exe from there.
No account or license key is required to download or install. The free tier activates automatically on first launch.
Why a ZIP? Extracting the archive avoids Windows download restrictions (MOTW) that can block DLL loading. No administrator rights are needed.
System Requirements
| | | |-|-| | OS | Windows 10 or Windows 11 | | Architecture | x86_64 | | RAM | 4 GB minimum | | Disk | ~400 MB (includes bundled Python runtime) | | Other | USB-to-serial driver (if using console access) |
PacketPilot Config has no internet requirement after installation. It runs fully offline.
Installation Steps
1. Extract the Archive
Download the .zip file and extract it to a permanent location.
C:\> mkdir C:\PacketPilot
C:\> cd PacketPilot
C:\PacketPilot> powershell -Command "Expand-Archive ~\Downloads\PacketPilot-Config.zip . -Force"
Choose a location you have write access to — no administrator rights required.
2. Run the Application
Open the extracted folder and double-click packetpilot-config.exe.
The first launch prompts you to create a master password:
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Master Password │
│ │
│ Create a master password to protect your │
│ stored credentials and session history. │
│ │
│ This password is stored locally and never │
│ transmitted. │
│ │
│ [ ____________________ ] │
│ [ ____________________ ] │
│ │
│ [ Create Password ] │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Choose a strong password. If you forget it, stored credentials cannot be recovered.
3. Trial Activation
After setting the master password, the free tier activates automatically. A banner on the main screen shows your plan limits.
Updating
To update: download the new ZIP, extract it into the same folder, and replace the existing files. Your settings, device inventory, and credentials are stored in %LOCALAPPDATA%\PacketPilot and are preserved across updates.
Do not delete the data folder — it contains your master password hash and all stored credentials.
Uninstalling
To uninstall: delete the extracted folder. Your data is in %LOCALAPPDATA%\PacketPilot — delete that too if you want a full clean removal.
Network Requirements
PacketPilot Config communicates with network devices over:
| Protocol | Port | Direction | |----------|------|-----------| | SSH2 | 22 (default) | Outbound from Config → devices | | Serial | COM port | Direct cable connection |
No inbound ports need to be opened. No outbound connections to the internet are required.
Firewall Notes
If your Windows firewall prompts you on first launch, allow both inbound and outbound for PacketPilot Config. This is only needed if you plan to use SSH over a VPN or have strict firewall rules.
USB-to-Serial Drivers
If you are using a USB-to-serial console cable (e.g. FTDI, Prolific, or CH340 based), you may need to install the appropriate driver for Windows to recognize the COM port.
| Chipset | Driver | |---------|--------| | FTDI (most common) | FTDI Virtual COM Port drivers | | Prolific | Prolific PL2303 drivers | | CH340 | CH340 driver |
After driver installation, verify the COM port appears in Windows Device Manager under "Ports (COM & LPT)".
Upgrading an existing install
See the Install & Upgrade guide for upgrade paths, data-preservation guarantees, and how to transfer a license to a new machine.