How to configure Weblink on Zebra printers?

Weblink feature is a vital component for modern, connected Zebra printing environments. It empowers Link-OS printers to establish direct connections with internet or intranet-based servers, eliminating the need for intermediary host PCs. Through Hexnode UEM, administrators can efficiently configure weblink on zebra printers across their entire fleet. This ensures consistent connectivity settings and facilitates rapid deployment without requiring physical access to each device. This policy directly addresses critical challenges such as centralized management and ultimately enhancing operational efficiency.

Configure Weblink on Zebra printers?

Follow the below steps to configure weblink for Zebra printers,

1. Log in to your Hexnode portal.
2. Go to Policies.
3. Select Device Policies and click New Policy.
4. Choose a New Policy. You can also choose to update an existing template.
5. Select Zebra Printer as the platform and click Next.
6. Select Enterprise as the policy type and click Next.
7. Under Network settings, choose Weblink and click Configure.
8. The following settings are available to configure;

Settings	Description
Weblink URL	The primary destination address of the server that the printer needs to communicate with. The printer will initiate outbound connections to this URL. For example, https://demo-zebra-printer.link-os.com:443/linkos/weblink/connect/.
Number of seconds before	If the connection between the printer and the server is completely dropped, this setting determines how long the printer will wait before trying to re-establish it. You can select the value between 1 to 600.
Proxy URL	Specifies the address of a proxy server if your network environment requires devices to route outbound internet traffic through one. If direct connection is permitted, this field may be left blank. For example, https://demo-zebra-printer.link-os.com:443/linkos/weblink/connect/.
Maximum number of connections	Limits the total number of simultaneous Weblink sessions the printer is allowed to maintain. This helps manage the printer’s on-board memory and processing resources. You can select the value between 1 to 100.
URL for test connection	A dedicated endpoint URL is used specifically to verify network reachability. It is often used in conjunction with the “Weblink test connection mode” for diagnostics. For example, https://demo-zebra-printer.link-os.com:443/linkos/weblink/connect/.
Weblink test connection mode	Controls when the printer performs a test connection to the URL for test connection. This is useful for verifying network paths during setup and troubleshooting. You can choose any of the options below: Off: The printer will never perform a test connection. Failure: The printer will only perform a test connection when its normal Weblink connection fails. Interval: The printer will perform test connections at regular, predefined intervals. Both: The printer will perform test connections both when its normal Weblink connection fails and also at regular intervals.
Retry Interval	If a specific data packet or transmission fails during an active connection, the printer will wait for the specified duration before attempting to resend that data. You can select the value between 1-1800 seconds.
Maximum number of log entries	Defines the depth of the communication history stored locally on the printer. This controls how many individual Weblink activity events are recorded in the printer’s internal log file before the oldest entries are overwritten. A value of 0 disables logging. You can select the value between 0-10000.

Associate the Weblink policy with Zebra printers

If the policy has not been saved,

1. Navigate to Policy Targets > +Add Devices.
2. Choose the target devices and click Ok. Click Save.
3. You can also choose to associate the policy with device groups, users, user groups, or domains from the left pane of the Policy Targets tab.

If the policy has been saved,

1. Go to the Policies tab and choose the desired policy.
2. Click on the Manage drop-down and select Associate Targets.
3. Choose the target entities and click Associate.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What kind of servers can a Zebra printer with Weblink connect to?

Zebra printers with Weblink can connect to any internet-based or intranet-based server that supports standard HTTP/HTTPS communication. This includes cloud platforms, web services, ERP systems, or custom server applications.

2. How does Weblink handle temporary internet outages on the printer?

The “Number of seconds before attempting to reconnect” and “Retry Interval” settings govern how the printer handles temporary network outages. It will attempt to re-establish the connection or resend data after the specified delays.

3. Can Weblink be used for receiving print jobs directly from a cloud application?

Absolutely! One of the primary use cases for Weblink is enabling printers to poll a cloud server for new print jobs or data, facilitating server-driven printing without a local print server.