Network requirements
For Envoy to print, the iPad must be able to communicate directly with the printer. Envoy uses the printer's IP address on your internal network to instruct the iPad to send visitor badges directly to the printer, so no middleman is needed.
The following ports should be open between the iPad and the printer within your local network:
UDP 137 and UDP 161 (SNMP – Printer Status)
TCP 5900 (Data – Printing)
The iPad discovers network printers by broadcasting across the local network and listening for a response. For this to work, the network must allow multicast traffic between the iPad and the printer, and must not filter or drop it.
Networks that block device-to-device communication will prevent discovery even when every port above is open. This includes:
Client isolation: Also called AP isolation, wireless isolation, or guest mode. Common on guest networks, mesh systems, and ISP-supplied routers.
Separate network segments: Printers kept on their own VLAN are unreachable by discovery unless an mDNS gateway is in place.
Note: If you can't enable discovery on your network, assign the printer a static IP address using one of the methods below and enter it directly in Envoy.
Note: The Brother printer only supports connections to 2.4 GHz wireless band. If you are using a dual-band router, your iPad(s) can stay connected to the 5 GHz band while your printer connects to the 2.4 GHz band.
Wireless authentication available
Personal
Open (w/ None or WEP)
Shared Key (w/ WEP)
WPA-PSK (w/ TKIP or AES)
WPA2-PSK (w/ AES)
Enterprise
LEAP (w/ CKIP)
EAP-FAST (w/ TKIP or AES)
Inner Authentication: None, MS-CHAPv2, or GTC
Tip: Enterprise wireless configurations require a server certificate to be installed and could be considered an advanced setup.
Printers on a separate network segment (VLAN)
If your IT team keeps printers on a separate VLAN, automatic discovery will not work because discovery traffic does not cross segment boundaries by default.
Two options resolve this:
Enable an mDNS gateway on your router or wireless controller. Also called a Bonjour gateway, mDNS repeater, or mDNS forwarding. Cisco, Aruba, Meraki, and UniFi equipment all support this, though the setting name varies by vendor.
Assign the printer a fixed IP address using one of the methods below, then enter that address in Envoy so the iPad targets the printer directly instead of discovering it.
Routing between the two segments must still allow the printing ports listed above.
Wired/Wireless - Set a static IP on the device
Follow these steps to set a static address to the printer:
Type the printer’s IP address into the URL bar of your web browser.
Enter the following credentials:
User: admin
Password: access
Click Network Configuration at the top of the page.
Click Configure TCP/IP halfway down the page.
Enter the static IP, Subnet Mask, and Gateway.
If you’re unsure of what to enter here, talk to your local IT team.
Set Boot Method to Static.
Click Submit.
Go to Visitors > Devices > Printers and enter the static IP address.
Wired/Wireless – Set a static IP using DHCP reservation
Follow these steps to set a static address to the device using a reservation on a DHCP server:
Type the printer’s IP address into the URL bar of your web browser.
Enter the following credentials:
User: admin
Password: access
Click Network Configuration at the top of the page.
Click the tab for the preferred method of connection (Wired or Wireless)
Takedown the MAC address for that connection and provide it to your IT team to make a DHCP reservation. If you are IT, use this MAC address to create a reservation on your DHCP server. The IP address set here will be applied to your printer.
Restart the printer.
Go to Visitors > Devices > Printers and enter the static IP address.