How to Run a Django Project on a Local Network (0.0.0.0 Explained)

Step 1: Activate the Virtual Environment

. core/Scripts/activate

Step 2: Run Django on the Network

python manage.py runserver 0.0.0.0:8000

This allows any device on the same local network to access your Django project

Access from another device:

http://YOUR-IP:8000

Step 3: Configure ALLOWED_HOSTS

Open settings.py and update:

ALLOWED_HOSTS = ['192.168.8.126', 'localhost', '127.0.0.1']

For testing only:

ALLOWED_HOSTS = ['*']

🔐 Security Note

• 0.0.0.0 allows access only within the same network

• Do not use ALLOWED_HOSTS = ['*'] in production