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Gene Mosher edited this page Jan 3, 2026 · 5 revisions

🖨️ CUPS Printing in ViewTouch

📋 Overview and determining the Network Addresses of Network Printers

ViewTouch features the Common UNIX Printing System(CUPS) to support local (USB) and network attached printers.

Bixolon is the recommended printer brand for ViewTouch. The default model is SRP-332III with triple interface (Network, USB, cash drawer(s) (with y-type adapter). Wireless Network dongles are available from Panda and TP-Link. The Network Printer is a DHCP Client. When a Network Printer is attached to the Network and turned on, an upstream DHCP Server assigns a network address to every printer connected to the Network. Network printers are always to the Internet Modem or unmanaged switch, either wired or with a wireless dongle (adapter).

The ViewTouch Desktop's System Monitor utility (Conky) discloses the Local Wired and Wireless Network Addresses of the computer, but not the Network Addresses of printers attached to the Network. Note the computer's Network Address and exit this utility.

To disclose the IP Addresses of Network printers, run the ViewTouch Desktop's Zenmap (network mapping) utility. Enter the local IP address in the scheme xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx/24 as the Zenmap Target. Select the 'Quick scan' Profile, then select Scan. After a momentary wait, each IP address on the network with a printer assigned to it will show a result for a printer's network address in the top line (Nmap scan report for ....) followed by a line with green text > '9100/tcp open jetdirect'. Note these Network addresses and exit this utility.

🌐 Adding and Managing Network Printers with the CUPS Browser Interface

Enter localhost:631/admin in the browser URL

OpenPrinting CUPS | Home | Administration | Classes | Help | Jobs | Printers

  1. Under 'Administration' select Add Printer
  2. Select AppSocket/HP JetDirect, Continue
  3. Connection, socket://networkprinteraddress:9100, Continue
  4. Name: type a simple name, such as kitchen. Note this Name.
  5. Description, Location: Optional, Human-readable means for your own benefit only.
  6. Add Printer. Make: BIXOLON, Continue. Model: Bixolon SRP-332III, Add Printer.
  7. Printer kitchen has been added successfully. Set Printer Options, Set Default Options.
  8. Maintenance: Print Test Page. Show Completed Jobs. State: Completed. Select Printers. Status is Idle (ready).
  9. To add another network printer, select Administration.
  10. To change a printer's Network Address from Dynamic to Static, enter its Network Address in the Browser's URL and uncheck the DHCP mode option.
  11. Exit the browser. It's time to inform ViewTouch that there is a working printer on the network with the name 'kitchen'.

⚙️ ViewTouch Printer Configuration

ViewTouch needs to know the 'Name' of any printers you've added. Enter the Editor ID and Start. Select Manager's Gateway, then Settings, then Configure Network Displays & Printers.

  1. Select 'Show Network Printers'
  2. Select 'Add a Display or Network Printer' and Edit this Printer's Configuration.
  3. This Printer is Identified as Hot Line Printer, for instance.
  4. *This Printer's Performance Assignment is (toggle to) Kitchen 1. There may be as many as 4 kitchen printers !
  5. This Printer's Queue Name Is kitchen (the simple name noted in the Browser)
  6. This Printer's Output is Formatted for Epson.
  7. Kitchen Print Mode can be Normal, Wide, Tall, or Wide & Tall.
  8. The Header Margin of Requisition Tickets printed by this printer can be adjusted.
  9. Restart ViewTouch and Test Report Printers.
  10. In ViewTouch Settings, select Remote Targeting, then choose the Video & Printer Targets for all menu item families.

Requirements:

  • ✅ Printers tested in Print Settings or CUPS program
  • ✅ ViewTouch knows the printer name(s)

📍 Configuration Page

ViewTouch Printer Configuration Page

Important Notes:

  • Receipt printer names are defined in the configuration of the terminal they are associated with (connected to).
  • Remote Printers on remote displays and prep locations are network-attached and defined independently of any terminal

Important: The 'Name' is also called 'Queue Name'

🛠️ Adding Printers (Recommended Method)

An easy, simple way to add Bixolon POS printers using the Print Settings Icon on the ViewTouch desktop.

  1. Select Add, > Network Printer, > AppSocket
  2. Host: Enter Network Address of the printer, > Forward
  3. Select printer from database > Bixolon > Forward Choose Driver SRP-332III > Forward
  4. Printer Name type a simple name, such as kitchen. Note this Name.
  5. Description, Location: Optional, Human-readable means for your own benefit only. Apply
  6. Print Test Page. OK
  7. To add another network printer, select Add.
  8. To change a printer's Network Address from Dynamic to Static, run the Browser, enter its Network Address in the Browser's URL and uncheck the DHCP mode option.
  9. Exit the browser. It's time to inform ViewTouch that there is a working printer on the network with the name 'kitchen'.

Instructions: Adding a printer using Print Settings

When adding printers, use simple names:

  • receipt, kitchen, bar
  • receipt1, kitchen1, bar1, etc.

Use the CUPS web interface: CUPS Browser Instructions

📦 PPD Files & Setup

🖼️ ViewTouch Image

PPD files for Bixolon printers are included in the ViewTouch image file for the Raspberry Pi.

⚠️ Manual PPD Installation

If not using the ViewTouch image, you must install Bixolon PPD files manually, otherwise use raw printing capabilities.

Download PPD drivers: http://www.bixolon.com/html/en/download/download_list.xhtml?all_yn=Y

🔧 Troubleshooting

CUPS vs ViewTouch Printing

Issue: CUPS print test works but ViewTouch print test doesn't work

Solution: Download and install the cups-bsd package with Update Software Packages on ViewTouch's Blue Marble Desktop.

🌐 Remote Access

Access CUPS interface remotely using SSH port redirection:

# SSH command for remote CUPS access
ssh -L 6310:localhost:631 ipaddress

After establishing the connection, set your local browser URL to: localhost:6310

You can then monitor and administer Point of Sale printers remotely just like a local user.

🏷️ Printer Naming & Roles

🔗 The Link Between CUPS and ViewTouch

The printer Name, sometimes called the Queue Name, allows ViewTouch to access CUPS capabilities.

🎭 Multiple Roles

A single printer can have multiple roles/tasks in ViewTouch by giving it multiple names (kitchen, bar)! A Network printer can thus print two requisition tickets - one for the kitchen and one for the bar.

A printer can be used both as a receipt printer and as a kitchen printer if it has names: receipt and kitchen

  • CUPS manages the printer's physical properties and interfaces
  • ViewTouch Printer names are chosen to reflect their location, but also to describe the task the printer performs.

💰 Cash Drawers

  • Connection: Cash drawers (1 or 2) connect to 6-pin RJ-11 ports on Bixolon printers. A y-cable is needed for two.
  • Interfaces: Bixolon printers typically include:
    • RJ-11 (cash drawer ports)
    • RJ-45 (Ethernet)
    • WiFi
    • USB
    • Bluetooth

🌐 Network Configuration

  • Default: Most Bixolon receipt printers ship with DHCP addressing. Network Addresses are given when printers are turned on and attached to the Network by the DHCP Server which is integral to the upstream internet modem (or router).

  • IP Discovery: (may be deprecated) Insert a pin into the pinhole next to the Ethernet interface (printer must be network-connected). Newer printers open the lid, followed by a Form Feed press for 5 seconds to print the printer's information

  • Fixed IP: Can be configured to any fixed Ethernet or WiFi IP address. Enter the printer's Network address into the browser's URL and uncheck DHCP to give the printer a static IP address.

Configuration Instructions: See the link mentioned above, or use the Bixolon Net Configuration Tool (runs on Windows PC).

Download: http://www.bixolon.com/html/en/download/download_category.xhtml?ca_id=114&large_cd=0012&small_cd=0008

📞 Support

Need help with printer setup?

Call Gene at: 541-515-5913

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