When a Pigeon Client (version 4 or higher) starts for the first time, it will broadcast a UDP message on UDP address 255.255.255.255:2153. The Pigeon Gateway will respond to this client with the name (or IP address) of the assigned Pigeon Server as well as the TCP port number to use. This information is saved locally in the Pigeon Client's configuration file. Every time the Pigeon Client starts, it will use the information located in its configuration file.
If the Pigeon Server does not answer, the Pigeon Client will call the Pigeon Gateway for the name and port number of the dedicated Pigeon Server. The loop will continue until the Pigeon Client connects to a Pigeon Server.