Setting up a Printer Administration Server

Before you begin

Decide whether to install the Printer Administration Server (PAS) interface on the same server as SOTI MobiControl or a separate server. Installing PAS on the same server as SOTI MobiControl enables for an easier setup and decreases the chance of connection issues between the PAS and deployment server extensions.

About this task

The Printer Administration Server (PAS) establishes an SSL connection between SOTI MobiControl and Zebra wireless printers allowing SOTI MobiControl to manage the printers.

Use this procedure to do the following actions:

  1. Create a PAS Profile
  2. Install PAS

Procedure

To create a PAS Profile, do the following:
  1. On the server where you want to set up a PAS, open the SOTI MobiControl console.
  2. In the SOTI MobiControl console, open the main menu and select Global Settings > MobiControl Services > Printer Administration Servers.
  3. Select Add to open the Add Printer Administration Server wizard.
    Printer Administration Servers Add option
    The Add Printer Administration Server wizard opens and takes you through setting up a PAS.
  4. Enter a name for the PAS and select Create.
  5. Download both the SOTI MobiControl Root Certificate and the PAS Client Certificate to your server.
    Note: Do not close the Printer Administration Server (PAS) dialog box.
    Printer Administration Server (PAS) wizard
  6. Set a password for the PAS Client Certificate, use it to generate and export a PAS certificate and bind it to the PAS. The password must be at least six characters.
  7. Using the Microsoft Management Console (MMC), install the SOTI MobiControl Root Certificate.
    1. Open the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) and type mmc into the Start menu search.
      An option to launch the console is displayed.
    2. In the MMC, open File > Add/Remove Snap-in to launch the Add or Remove Snap-ins wizard.
    3. Select Certificates from the Available snap-ins list and select Add to move it over to Selected snap-ins.
      The Certificates snap-in subwizard opens.
    4. Complete the Certificates snap-in wizard with the following settings:
      This snap-in always manages certificates for Computer account
      Select the computer you want this snap-in to manage Local computer: (the computer this console is running on)
    5. Select OK to close the Add or Remove Snap-ins wizard.
    6. In the left tree-view pane, expand Certificates (Local Computer) > Personal > Certificates.
    7. Right-click on the Certificates folder and select All Tasks > Import to open the Certificate Import wizard.
    8. Follow the Certificate Import Wizard's instructions to import the SOTI MobiControl Root CA certificate to your Trusted Root Certificate Authorities.
    9. Repeat with Certificates (Local Computer) > Trusted Root Certification Authorities > Certificates
To install a PAS, do the following:
  1. In the Printer Administration Server (PAS) dialog box, select the link for the PAS installer or go to the SOTI MobiControl Connector page on the Zebra website.
    Printer Administration Server (PAS) installer link
    Note: The Zebra website refers the PAS as SOTI MobiControl Connector.
  2. At the bottom of the page, select the download link for the SOTI MobiControl Connector.
    Location of download link for Zebra SOTI Connector
  3. On the SOTI MobiControl Connector request page, enter the requested information and select Submit.
  4. After you have the PAS installer, run it as an administrator on the server where you want the PAS located.
  5. Enter the information requested on the License Agreement and select Next.
    First screen of SOTI MobiControl Connector Setup wizard
    Tip: You may receive errors if your field entries are too long. If you receive errors, replace the values with meaningless, short values such as 1.
  6. Enter the requested information to associate your SOTI MobiControl server with the SOTI connector.
    Installation wizard screen: connection information for SOTI MobiControl and PAS
    SOTI MobiControl Server Location Enter the location of your SOTI MobiControl server
    Important: Use the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) and add /mc/pas to the end of the server location path. For example, http://example.corp.soti.net/mc/pas.

    Only use http, do not use https.

    Ensure that the outbound ports 80 and 443 are open on the server where PAS is installed. Unless PAS is on the same server as SOTI MobiControl, open C:\Program Files (x86)\SOTI MobiControl Connector\tomcat\conf\server.xml. Change the port from 443 to another open port. Port 5496 is usually open.
    PAS Identity Enter the name you chose for the PAS in the SOTI MobiControl console.
    SOTI Certificate Select Browse to browse to the location of the PAS client certificate that you downloaded in step 5.
    SOTI Certificate Password Enter the password you created for the PAS client certificate in step 5.

    Select Next.

  7. Select Finish to complete the installation.
  8. In the SOTI MobiControl console, select OK to close the Printer Administration Server (PAS) dialog box.

Results

You have finished setting up a PAS to manage your printer devices.

What to do next

Connect your Zebra wireless printers to the PAS and enroll in SOTI MobiControl.