Once you have legally obtained the PortableBasemap_v31_Exclusive.zip (file size approx. 18.4 GB), follow this protocol:

Step 1: Verify Integrity Do not skip this. Use certutil -hashfile in Windows Terminal. The official MD5 for the exclusive v31 is: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e. (Note: Actual hash varies by build date; check your distributor’s manifest).

Step 2: Extract to Target Drive Right-click the .zip and select Extract All. Destination matters:

Step 3: Launch the Server Navigate to the extracted folder → /bin/ → Right-click launcher_x64.exe → "Run as Administrator." (Administrator rights are required to create the local Wi-Fi hotspot).

Step 4: Configure the Hotspot The v31 dashboard will open in your default browser (usually http://localhost:8090).

Step 5: Serve the Basemap

Within 3 seconds, any device (iPad, Android phone, Windows laptop) connected to FIELD-MAP-01 can navigate to http://10.0.0.1:8080 and see the full global basemap.

Portable Basemap Server (PBS) is a lightweight, open-source application designed to serve map tiles (raster and vector) from a local data source. Essentially, it turns your laptop into a mini-map server. This allows you to serve imagery, topographic maps, or street maps to mobile devices, tablets, or other computers on a local network—completely offline.

It acts as a bridge between raw map data (like MBTiles, GeoPackages, or directories of images) and standard mapping protocols like WMTS, TMS, or WMS.

Once you have your hands on the v31 zip file, setup is remarkably simple: