Networking that stays understandable¶

ByteNet Max is a typed, buffer-based networking library for Roblox. Define each message once, share that definition between the server and client, and use packets for events or queries for request/response calls.

Build your first packet Install ByteNet Max

Required: initialize on the server and client¶

The same shared namespace ModuleScript must be required by a server Script and a LocalScript. The server should initialize first. Without both sides, ByteNet Max cannot establish matching packet, query, and struct mappings, and networking will fail.

See the required setup →

Packets¶

Send one-way messages through reliable or unreliable channels. ByteNet Max batches packet traffic once per frame.

Learn packets

Queries¶

Send a typed request from a client and receive a typed response from the server—without manually creating a RemoteFunction.

Learn queries

Shared definitions¶

Keep packet and query schemas in a shared ModuleScript. The same schema gives both sides a consistent wire format.

Understand namespaces

The complete shape¶

ReplicatedStorage/Network.luau

local ReplicatedStorage = game:GetService("ReplicatedStorage")
local ByteNetMax = require(ReplicatedStorage.Packages.ByteNetMax)

return ByteNetMax.defineNamespace("Game", function()
    return {
        packets = {
        ShowToast = ByteNetMax.definePacket({
            value = ByteNetMax.struct({
                Message = ByteNetMax.string,
            }),
        }),
        },
        queries = {
            GetCoins = ByteNetMax.defineQuery({
                request = ByteNetMax.nothing,
                response = ByteNetMax.uint32,
            }),
        },
    }
end)

ServerScriptService/Network.server.luau

local ReplicatedStorage = game:GetService("ReplicatedStorage")
local Network = require(ReplicatedStorage.Network)

Network.queries.GetCoins.listen(function(_, Player)
    return Player:GetAttribute("Coins") or 0
end)

Network.packets.ShowToast.sendTo({ Message = "Welcome!" }, game.Players:GetPlayers()[1])

StarterPlayerScripts/Network.client.luau

local ReplicatedStorage = game:GetService("ReplicatedStorage")
local Network = require(ReplicatedStorage.Network)

Network.packets.ShowToast.listen(function(Data)
    print(Data.Message)
end)

local Coins = Network.queries.GetCoins.invoke(nil)
print(`You have {Coins} coins`)

Do not skip network initialization

The server and client must both require the same namespace ModuleScript. Put it in ReplicatedStorage, require it from a server Script first, and require it again from a LocalScript. See the exact setup.

Pick the right tool¶

You need to…	Use	Example
Notify the server or a client	Packet	Equip an item, show an effect
Broadcast to several clients	Packet	Round state, announcement
Send frequent disposable state	Unreliable packet	Aim direction, cosmetic position
Ask the server for a result	Query	Fetch a profile summary

ByteNet Max is based on ByteNet, but this documentation describes ByteNet Max's current source and API.