Configure Off-Network Cloud Print

Off-Network Cloud Print (ONCP) utilizes AWS-hosted regional external gateways and Vasion's ONCP app, installed on the printer, to reduce infrastructure costs and help users on other networks print successfully. This topic guides you through configuring ONCP in your environment.

Key Points

  • ONCP currently supports Windows and mobile (iOS / Android) devices. Support is in development for Mac, Linux, and ChromeOS devices.
  • ONCP requires the Advanced Security Bundle. Please reach out to your Vasion representative for details and pricing.
  • ONCP has two configuration options for the Internal Routing Service (IRS).
    • Installing the ONCP app on the printer object. The app functions as the IRS and removes the need for a Service Client.
    • Creating an IRS Service Client to route print jobs, which removes the need for the ONCP app.
  • The ONCP app supports the following printer manufacturers: Fujifilm, Fuji Xerox, HP, Kyocera, Lexmark, and Ricoh Multifunction Printer (MFP) devices.
    • Canon, Konica Minolta, Sharp, Toshiba, and Xerox MFP devices require the ONCP configuration using an IRS Service Client.
  • ONCP exclusively uses RAW printing on both PC and Mac platforms. Line Printer Remote (LPR) is not currently supported.
  • Ports:
    • Printing via ONCP occurs over TCP Port 443 (Port 631 for IPPS) from the workstation / device to External Gateway, and External Gateway to the IRS.
    • Routing from the IRS Service Client to the printer occurs, by default, over TCP Port 9100.

Prerequisites

The prerequisites below differ slightly depending on whether you use the ONCP app or an IRS Service Client.

  • Be using a supported printer found on the Supported Printers List. Filter your results by selecting the Off-Network Cloud Printing option from the Feature dropdown.
  • All devices, to include Service Client, printers, etc., must be allowed to reach Domain Name System (DNS) server and resolve names.

Using ONCP App

  • A Service Client running the Printer Apps service. The ONCP app installs using the Printer Apps service. You may disable or delete the Service Client after installing the app if it isn't part of another configuration.
  • If your Service Client is using Windows OS, ensure Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015 (32-bit/64-bit) or newer is installed on the Service Client.
    • Both the x86 and x64 redistributable packages must be installed. These packages can be found in the Microsoft Download Center.
  • The HP ONCP app requires the Workpath platform enabled on the printer.
  • You must contact HP or your HP-certified reseller to add the Vasion HP ONCP app from the HP Command Center. They then need to:
    • Claim and add their printers to the HP Command Center.
    • Add the Vasion ONCP app as a solution.
    • Add the app to the customer's account.
    • Manage and deploy the ONCP application to printers.
  • Open / enable the appropriate ports and services outlined in the table below.

ONCP App Manufacturer Ports / Requirements
ONCP App Manufacturer Ports / Requirements

Manufacturer

Ports & Requirements

Fujifilm
  • ONCP app installation / uninstallation occur from the Service Client to the printer over TCP Port 50200.
  • Printing via ONCP occurs over TCP Port 443 (Port 631 for IPPS).
  • You must enable imbedded plug-ins.

Fuji Xerox
  • ONCP app installation / uninstallation occur from the Service Client to the printer over TCP Port 443 & 50200.
  • Printing via ONCP occurs over TCP Port 443 (Port 631 for IPPS).
  • You must enable imbedded plug-ins.
  • The Controller ROM (firmware) must be version 1.60.4 or higher.

HP
  • ONCP app installation / uninstallation occur from the Service Client to the printer over TCP Port 443.
  • Printing via ONCP occurs over TCP Port 443 (Port 631 for IPPS).
  • You must enable the HP Workpath platform on the printer to install the ONCP app. (HP Steps (Required) section).
  • HP or an HP certified reseller must claim the ONCP app in the HP Command Center and add it to your account. (HP Steps (Required) section).

Kyocera
  • ONCP app installation / uninstallation occur from the Service Client to the printer over TCP Port 8083, 9091, & 9090.
  • Printing via ONCP occurs over TCP Port 443 (Port 631 for IPPS).
  • Enable the following network settings on the Multi-function printer (MFP):
    • SSL/TLS.
    • Enhanced WSD.
    • Enhanced WSD over SSL.

Lexmark
  • ONCP app installation / uninstallation occur from the Service Client to the printer over TCP Port 80 & 443.
  • Printing via ONCP occurs over TCP Port 443 (Port 631 for IPPS).

Ricoh
  • ONCP app installation / uninstallation occur from the Service Client to the printer over TCP Port 443.
  • Printing via ONCP occurs over TCP Port 443 (Port 631 for IPPS).

Using IRS Service Client

  • A Service Client running the Internal Routing Service. This replaces the installed app and routes print jobs from the External Gateway to the printer.
  • The IRS Service Client must be able to reach the printers over the network. If printers are on multiple networks, configure additional IRS Service Clients as needed.
  • If your Service Client is using Windows OS, ensure Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015 (32-bit/64-bit) or newer is installed on the Service Client.
    • Both the x86 and x64 redistributable packages must be installed. These packages can be found in the Microsoft Download Center.

ONCP URLs

Ensure the following allow list URLs are open and adjusted to your region:

  • Oncp-ofn.app.printercloud.com

  • Oncp-pgw.app.printercloud.com

    The URL should match the regional code for your instance. Verify by checking your instance URL.

    • US Region — printercloud.com
    • EMEA Region — printercloud5.com
    • Azure Hosted — printercloud6.com
    • APAC Region — printercloud10.com
    • Canada Region — printercloud15.com
    • APAC (Singapore) Region — printercloud20.com

Enable ONCP

  1. Navigate to the Off-Network Print section on Tools then Settings then General in the Admin Console.
  2. Select the Allow Cloud Printing option.

Off-Network settings showing the Allow Cloud Printing setting enabled.

Enable as Default

The following steps guide you through configuring ONCP as the default for all printers. Enabling the global settings makes all printers Off-Network Cloud printers. Doing this will force all print jobs to follow the flow of ONCP, regardless of whether you are on the network or not. If you only want to enable ONCP for specific printers, reference the Printer-Specific section of this topic.

  1. Select Cloud Print in the Default Global Settings dropdown.

  2. Select the Off-Network Priority. The options are as follows:

    Off-Network Priority settings only apply to workstations, and not to mobile devices using ONP / ONCP.

    • Off-Network Only — Only sends the print jobs using the ONP / ONCP service and will not try to send the job directly to the printer. (Direct IP Printing).
    • Direct IP Primary — Attempts to send the print job directly to the printer (Direct IP Printing) first. If unsuccessful, the job attempts using the ONP / ONCP service.
    • Off-Network Primary — Attempts to send the job using the ONP service first. If unsuccessful, the job attempts printing directly to the printer. (Direct IP Printing).
      • ONCP does not support the Off-Network Primary option.
  3. Select Save.

Default global settings showing the default set to Cloud Print and the off-network priority set.

Enable for Printer-Specific

  1. Select Disabled in the Default Global Settings dropdown.

  2. Select the Off-Network Priority. The options are as follows:

    Off-Network Priority settings only apply to workstations, and not to mobile devices using ONP / ONCP.

    • Off-Network Only — Only sends the print jobs using the ONP / ONCP service and will not try to send the job directly to the printer. (Direct IP Printing).
    • Direct IP Primary — Attempts to send the print job directly to the printer (Direct IP Printing) first. If unsuccessful, the job attempts using the ONP / ONCP service.
    • Off-Network Primary — Attempts to send the job using the ONP service first. If unsuccessful, the job attempts printing directly to the printer. (Direct IP Printing).
      • ONCP does not support the Off-Network Primary option.
  3. Select Save.

Default global settings shwoing the default set to disabled and the off-network priority set.

For the Printer-Specific configuration, you must complete the following steps on each printer object to enable ONCP.

  1. Navigate to the desired printer object's Off-Network tab.
  2. For the Off-Network Enabling setting, select Use printer-specific Off-Network Printing setting.
  3. Use the dropdown to select Cloud Print for the printer's Off-Network printing method.
  4. For Off-Network Priority, use the default setting or select Use printer-specific Off-Network Priority setting and adjust the dropdown for that printer.
    • Off-Network Only — Only sends the print jobs using the ONP / ONCP service and will not try to send the job directly to the printer. (Direct IP Printing).
    • Direct IP Primary — Attempts to send the print job directly to the printer (Direct IP Printing) first. If unsuccessful, the job attempts using the ONP / ONCP service.
    • Off-Network Primary — Attempts to send the job using the ONP service first. If unsuccessful, the job attempts printing directly to the printer. (Direct IP Printing).
      • ONCP does not support the Off-Network Primary option.
  5. Select Save.
  6. Repeat as needed for other printer objects.

Printer's Off-Network tab showing the printer-specific option enabled and Cloud Print selected in the dropdown.

ONCP App & IRS Service Client

The following sections guide you through two configuration options for ONCP, installing the ONCP app on printers and using an IRS Service Client. Installing the app is the recommended route, but not all printer manufacturers support the ONCP app. Utilize the IRS Service Client method if configuring ONCP for unsupported manufacturers.

Supported MFP manufacturers:

  • Fujifilm.
  • Fuji Xerox.
  • HP.
  • Kyocera.
  • Lexmark.
  • Ricoh.

ONCP Using the Printer App

When a user on another network sends a job to an ONCP-enabled printer, the encrypted job goes to the external gateway. The ONCP app monitors the gateway, immediately pulls down the print job, and releases it at the printer.

This section guides you through installing the ONCP app on your printers. For supported HP devices, you must work with HP / HP certified reseller to complete the HP Steps (Required) section before installing the ONCP app.

HP Steps (Required)

Enable the HP Workpath Platform on the Printer

If HP Workpath is not already enabled on the printer, follow these steps to enable it:

  1. Open the printer's web page in a browser, or physically sign in on the printer, as an Administrator.
  2. On the Security tab, select General Security in the menu if it is not already selected.
  3. In HP Workpath platform, select Enable.
  4. Select Restart.

Add the Vasion ONCP App

The following steps outline the process that HP or an HP-certified reseller must complete to add the Vasion ONCP app to your printers.

  1. Open the printer's web interface in a browser, or go to the physical printer's control panel, and sign in as an administrator.

  2. Select the HP Command Center application on the printer.

    HP Command center printer icon.

  3. Select Continue.

  4. When the login information displays on the screen, copy / note the Code.

    You may use a mobile device to scan the displayed QR code and following the steps provided.

    HP Command Center screen showing a QR code and registration code.

  5. Claim the printer by signing in to hpcommandcenter.com/claim and enter the printer code.

  6. Next, navigate to the HP Command Center.

    You can quickly do this by removing the subdirectory "claim" from the URL in the browser address bar from the previous step.

  7. Select Accounts and select the Demo Pool account.

  8. In Solutions, search for and select Vasion ONCP, then select Manage.

    HP Command Center Solutions screen showing the Vasion ONCP app.

  9. Select Install.

    Manage solution modal with Install showing at the top of the list.

  10. Select the printers you wish to install, then select Next, then Install.

    Install modal showing a printer selected from the list.

  11. This pushes the ONCP app configuration to the HP printer(s). Use the steps in the following sections to install the app on the printer(s).

Install on Printer (Individual)

These are general steps for installing ONCP using the Apps tab. If you still need to configure a Service Client running the Printer Apps service reference CPA Manager.

  1. Select the desired printer object's Apps tab.
  2. Select the printer manufacturer.
  3. Select CPA 2.0 in the Version field.

  4. In the Service Client field, select the Service Client running the Printer App service.

    Cloud Print is not dependent on the CPA and can be installed as a stand-alone app or in conjunction with the CPA.

  5. Select the Off-Network Cloud Printing option.
  6. Select the option desired for credentials to use to install the ONCP app on the printer.
    1. These can be set at a default level configured in Tools then Settings then General in the Control Panel Application (CPA) section.
    2. Or at a Printer Specific level on the current screen. In either case, ensure that the correct user credentials are entered.
  7. Select Save.

Apps tab showing the manufacturer, cpa version, service client and the Off-Network Cloud Printing option selected.

Install Using CPA Manager (Bulk)

These are general steps for installing ONCP using the CPA Manager. If you still need to configure a Service Client running the Printer Apps service or add printers to the printer list, reference CPA Manager.

  1. Navigate to the Service Client running the Printer Apps service, and select the Printer Apps tab.

  2. Select the desired printers from the Printer List.

    When working with multiple printers, they must all be from the same manufacturer.

  3. Select the Install Apps option from the Actions dropdown.

    Printer App's tab showing the expanded Actions list and the Install Apps sub-option.

  4. Select the Off-Network Cloud Print option in the Install Apps modal.
  5. Select Save.
  6. The Updating settings modal can be closed out. ONCP installation continues in the background.
  7. The Status column for the printer(s) shows if the installation was successful.

Install Apps modal showing the Off-Network Cloud Printing option selected.

ONCP Using the Internal Routing Service

Not all printer manufacturers currently support the ONCP app, so we provide an alternative method using an IRS Service Client. The IRS is a designated device on the printer network that acts similarly to the ONCP app. It monitors the external gateway, immediately pulls down print jobs, and routes them to the correct printer.

IRS Configuration

Enable Internal Routing Service

The IRS monitors the External Gateway, immediately downloads print jobs, and routes them directly to the printer. ONCP only requires you to add the IRS Service Client(s), External Gateways automatically assign based on the instance region. In environments with multiple printer networks, each network requires an IRS on that network to reach the printers.

  1. Navigate to the Service Client object in the tree structure.
  2. Select the Internal Routing tab.

  3. Select Enable Internal Routing Service.

  4. Select Save.
  5. Access the physical device designated as the IRS Service Client.
  6. Use the system tray icon or start menu to "Refresh Configurations".
  7. Open Task Manager and select the Details tab.
  8. In the Search field type "printer" to locate the Client processes.
  9. Verify the following services.
    1. Client services (PrinterInstallerClient.exe, PrinterInstallerClientInterface.exe, PrinterInstallerClientLauncher.exe).
    2. PrinterLogicServiceManager.exe.
    3. PrinterLogicServiceInternalRouter.exe.
    4. Other enabled services on the Service Client will also show.

Task Manager showing the service client services running.

Assign the Internal Routing Service

While adding an IRS Service Client to the root/folder/printer levels, you'll notice options for adding Vasion-hosted Gateways. These are for the Off-Network Print configurations, not for ONCP. ONCP automatically assigns the regional External Gateway on the backend, depending on the region that hosts your instance.

Using an IRS Service Client offers high availability and the option to configure redundancy built into the infrastructure at the root, folder, and printer levels. Configuring all levels is not required but should be considered when setting up the feature. The IRS must be on the same network and be able to reach the printers in its assignment. Environments with printers in multiple networks require an IRS able to reach the printers in each.

For most environments, we recommend configuring the IRS assignment at the folder or printer level as needed and then configuring root level. If all ONCP printers will use the same IRS, add the IRS Service Client to the root level. Folders and printers inherit higher-level assignments, and IRS assignments at lower levels take precedence over higher-level assignments.

If a printer or folder has a root assignment of IRS (A) and a folder or printer assignment of IRS (B), the service uses IRS (B) first and IRS (A) as a failover if needed. Priority level displays in order in a list on the folder's Services tab and the printer object's Off-Network tab. Configure the following based on the needs of your organization.

Root Level

To add an IRS assignment at the root level:

  1. Select the Vasion Print Home icon. icon at the top of the tree structure.
  2. Select the Services tab.
  3. Select the Add button on the right.
  4. In the Add Service modal select the desired Internal Routing Service Client.
  5. Select OK.
  6. Use the Test buttons in the Service Status column to verify connectivity.

Lower-level folders and printers inherit the IRS assignment.

Services tab showing the Internal Routing service client added.

Folder Level

To add an IRS assignment at the folder level:

  1. Select the desired folder in the tree structure.
  2. Select the Services tab.
  3. Select the Add button on the right.
  4. In the Add Service modal select the desired Internal Routing Service Client.
  5. Select OK.
  6. Use the Test buttons in the Service Status column to verify connectivity.

Lower-level folders and printers inherit the IRS assignment, including any set at the root or higher-level folders.

Services tab showing the Internal Routing service client added.

Printer Level

To add an IRS assignment at the printer level:

  1. Select the desired printer object in the tree structure.
  2. Select the Off-Network tab.
  3. Select the Add button on the right.
  4. In the Add Service modal select the desired Internal Routing Service Client.
  5. Select OK.
  6. Use the Test buttons in the Service Status column to verify connectivity.

This sets the IRS assignment for the printer object, including any assignments set at the root or higher-level folder(s).

Off-Network tab showing the Internal Routing Service Client added.