A network printer connects to your store's network rather than to an individual device, so any device can send print jobs to it. Before adding one in NexxPOS, the printer needs to be connected to your network and your router needs to be configured so NexxPOS can reach it reliably.
1. Before you get started
Router interfaces vary by brand, so the steps below are general guidance. Refer to your router's manual for exact menu names.
Connect the printer to your network
Connect the printer to your router or network switch using an ethernet cable. Most ESC/POS printers pick up an IP address automatically from your router once connected.
Print the test strip
Print the printer's network configuration slip, often called a test strip or self-test print. This is usually done by holding the printer's Feed button while powering it on, though the exact method varies by printer brand and model, so check the printer's manual if this doesn't work. The test strip shows the printer's current IP address and MAC address.
Set up an IP reservation
An IP reservation, sometimes called a DHCP reservation or address reservation, tells your router to always give the printer the same IP address, so it doesn't change after a router restart. Without this, the printer's address can change and NexxPOS will lose the ability to reach it until the address is updated.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open a web browser and log into your router. This is usually done by typing the router's address into the browser, commonly 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. Check the sticker on the router if you're not sure. |
| 2 | Find the DHCP settings in your router's admin panel. The option you need is usually labelled Address Reservation, DHCP Reservation, or Static DHCP. |
| 3 | Enter the printer's MAC address from the test strip, and the IP address you want it to keep. This is usually the IP address already shown on the test strip. |
| 4 | Save the setting. Some routers require a restart for the reservation to take effect. |
Set up port forwarding
Port forwarding lets NexxPOS reach the printer over the network on the correct port.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | In your router's admin panel, find the Port Forwarding section. This is usually labelled Port Forwarding, NAT Forwarding, or Virtual Servers. |
| 2 | Add a new rule and enter the printer's internal IP address, the one reserved in the previous step. |
| 3 | Set the port to 9100, the standard port most ESC/POS network printers use, for both the internal and external port fields. |
| 4 | Save the rule. |
With the printer connected, its IP reserved, and the port forwarded, you're ready to add it to NexxPOS.
2. Add a network printer
- Go to Printer Management > Network Printers.
- Click Add Printer.
Enter the printer's details.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | A label to identify the printer, for example "Kitchen 1". This is what you'll see when selecting it elsewhere in the Portal. |
| IP Address | The printer's network address. Use the external IP address you set up for port forwarding in your router. |
| MAC Address (Hardware Address) | Found on the printer's test strip or in its network settings. Uniquely identifies the printer on the network, separate from its IP address. |
| Paper Width | Select the paper width the printer uses. This should be 58mm or 80mm. |
| Printer Profile | Selected from the printer profiles you've created. This determines what the printer prints, which template it uses, how many copies, and whether it prints automatically, along with which zone or zones it handles. |
It is recommended to assign the printer a static IP address, using the reservation set up above, so it doesn't change after a router restart.
3. Managing network printers
From the Network Printers list, you can enable, disable, or delete a printer.
- Disable stops jobs being sent to the printer without removing its configuration, useful if it's temporarily offline.
- Delete removes the printer entirely, including its profile assignment.
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