Using configurations

You can deploy configurations to update managed printers from within the Fleet Management portal. A configuration can contain one or more of the following categories:

• Printer firmware

• eSF applications

• Printer settings files

You can deploy configurations to one or more printers in a single action. Fleet Management services determine the correct version of firmware or eSF applications to deploy to each printer.

Deploy configuration in the following order:

• Firmware

• Applications, in the same order that they appear in the configuration.

• Settings files, in the same order that they appear in the configuration.

Creating a configuration

1. From the Fleet Management portal, do either of the following:

   • Click Printers > Configure > Create Configuration.

   • Click Configurations > Configurations > Create.

     

2. In the Create Configuration page, type a unique name and description.

   

3. Select one or more of the following:

   • Firmware

     • The latest recommended Firmware versions

     • Special version previously uploaded as a resource in Cloud Fleet Management

   • Apps

     • The latest version of the selected eSF applications

     • Special version previously uploaded as a resource in Cloud Fleet Management

   • Printer Setting Files

     • UCF or setting bundle files previously uploaded as a resource in Cloud Fleet Management

4. Click Create Configuration.

Firmware

A configuration can be set up to deploy printer firmware. The firmware can be the latest recommended versions or the selected versions, previously uploaded as a resource in Cloud Fleet Management.

Notes:

• If the Recommended Firmware option is selected, the latest recommended version available whenever the configuration is deployed, will be used.
• Firmware is deployed first, followed by apps and printer settings.

Recommended firmware

Select Update all models to the recommended firmware version to deploy the latest recommended version of firmware version. This deploys the latest recommended version whenever the configuration is deployed.

Other firmware

You can click Select Firmware to select a specific version from the Resource Library. Once you select a specific firmware, it overrides Update all models to the recommended firmware version setting for models that use the specific firmware version. Multiple firmware versions can be selected, but only one version per printer model is allowed.

Specific firmware can also be uploaded to the Resource Library and automatically selected by clicking Upload Firmware, and then completing the form. For more information, see Using Cloud Print Management clients.

Apps

A configuration can deploy eSF applications to printers. The applications deployed can be standard eSF applications or the ones uploaded to the Resource Library.

Select Apps

Click Select Apps to see eSF applications available for deployment

This list contains both the standard eSF applications, and those previously uploaded to the Resource Library. You can select one or more applications from the list, and then click Next to review your selection.

After reviewing the form, click Done.

Upload Apps

An eSF application can be uploaded to the Resource Library and automatically selected by clicking Upload Apps, and then completing the form. The application file selected must be an .fls file. The uploaded application will be automatically added to the list of applications included in the configuration. For more information, see Using Cloud Print Management clients.

Applications that have been uploaded to the Resource Library can be selected from the Apps catalog. Apps from the Resource Library are shown with the category type of Imported app.

App settings

eSF applications may have configurable settings that can be deployed with the application. The settings available for each application can be viewed by clicking the arrow next to the name of the eSF application. Edit the settings to fit your specific needs. Repeat this process for each application in the configuration.

Printer Settings

A configuration can be used to deploy printer settings files. The settings file must be uploaded to the Resource Library before they can be deployed.

Select Settings

Settings files that have been previously uploaded to the Resource Library can be selected by clicking Select Settings. To establish the proper settings for your needs, select one or more setting files, and then click Select Settings.

Upload Settings

A printer settings file can be uploaded to the Resource Library and automatically selected by clicking Upload Settings and completing the form. The settings file must be a UCF or a Setting Bundle file. The uploaded settings file is automatically added to the list of settings files included in the configuration. For more information, see Using Cloud Print Management clients.

Using a Resource Library

The Resource Library is a repository for your custom files that can be deployed to printers as part of a configuration. Resource files consist of the following types:

• Firmware

• eSF applications 

• Printer setting files

  • Universal Configuration Files (UCF)

  • Bundles

There are two ways to add items to the Resource Library:

• Add files to the Resource Library for later use

• Add files to the Resource Library while creating a configuration

Adding files to the Resource Library 

1. From the Fleet Management portal, click Configurations > Resource Library.

   

2. Click Create Resource or Create.

   
   

3. In the Create Resource window, do the following:

   

   • Type a unique name and description.

   • From the Type menu, select any of the following:

     

     • UCF file—Files with a .ucf or .txt extension that contain printer or eSF application settings. Click Choose File to browse to the UCF file.

       Notes:

       • You can use UCF files to clone settings from one printer to another or to define a standard configuration for printers.
       • UCF files are the preferred method of deploying settings to older-generation printers, with firmware versions beginning with LW and LHS.

     • Settings bundle—Settings bundle are files with a .zip extension that contains printer or eSF application settings. You can click Choose File to browse for the settings bundle.

       Notes:

       • You can use Settings bundle files to clone settings from one printer to another or to define a standard configuration for printers.
       • Settings bundles are the preferred method of deploying settings to the current-generation printers, with firmware versions beginning with CS, CX, MS, and MX.

     • Firmware—Special versions of printer firmware that you can be add as a resource. Enter a specific firmware version, such as CSTAT.076.303, or a link provided by the Lexmark Customer Support Center for a specific version, and then click Verify. If the version or link is valid, then information about the firmware version is shown. An error is shown if the requested firmware cannot be found.

       
       Note: If an error appears, then verify that the firmware version number, or the link provided by Lexmark. If the error persists, then contact the Lexmark Customer Support Center.
       

     • Imported app—eSF applications that are not available in the standard Cloud Fleet Management application catalog. These files have an .fls extension. Click Choose File to browse for the esf application file. When a valid file has been selected, information about the eSF application is shown. An error is shown if the requested eSF application file is not valid.

       
       Note: If an error appears, then verify that the name is correct and that the file is an eSF application file. If the error persists, then contact the Lexmark Customer Support Center.
       

4. Click Create Resource.

Adding files to the Resource Library while creating a configuration

You can add files to the Resource Library while creating a configuration. For more information on creating a configuration, see Creating a configuration.

1. From the Firmware tab on the Create Configuration page, click Settings > Upload Firmware.

2. Type a unique name and description.

   

3. Enter a specific firmware version, such as CSTAT.076.303, or a link provided by the Customer Support Center for a specific firmware version, and then click Verify.

   Notes:

   • If the version or link is valid, information about the firmware version is shown. An error is shown if the requested firmware cannot be found.
   • If an error appears, then verify that the firmware version number, or the link provided by Lexmark, is entered correctly. If the error persists, then contact the Lexmark Customer Support Center.

4. Click Upload Firmware.

1. From the Apps tab on the Create Configuration page, click Apps > Upload App.

   

2. Type a unique name and description.

   

3. Click Choose File to browse to the esf application file.

   Notes:

   • The file name must be an FLS file. The uploaded application is automatically added to the list of applications included in the configuration.
   • When a valid file has been selected, information about the eSF application is shown. An error is shown if the requested eSF application file is not valid.
   • If an error appears, then verify that the name is correct and that the file is an eSF application file. If the error persists, then contact the Lexmark Customer Support Center.

4. Click Upload App.

   Note: The eSF application is added to the current configuration and added to the Resource Library. Applications that have been uploaded to the Resource Library can be selected from the Apps catalog.

1. From the Printer Settings tab on the Create Configuration page, click Printer Settings > Upload Settings.

   

2. From the Type menu, select UCF or Settings bundle.

3. Click Upload Settings.

   Note: You can use UCF files and Settings bundle files to clone settings from one printer to another or to define a standard configuration for printers.

Deploying a configuration

You can apply a configuration to multiple printers simultaneously and then reuse it anytime.

• After a configuration is deployed, it cannot be edited. 

• When a configuration is deployed, it deploys the latest recommended versions of the standard firmware and eSF applications that it contains.

• When a configuration is deployed, there is an implicit order of deployment to the printer.

  • Firmware

  • Applications, in the same order that they appear in the configuration

  • Settings files, in the same order that they appear in the configuration

1. From the Fleet Management portal, click Printers > Configure > Deploy configuration.

   

2. Choose the configuration to deploy, and then click Deploy configuration.

   
Note: You can view the status of the deployment in the Tasks tab.

Redeploying a configuration

Configurations can be redeployed as many times as needed. Each time it deploys the latest recommended versions of the standard firmware and eSF applications that it contains. Items added from the Resource Library retain their original version.

Managing a configuration

After creating configurations, you can edit, copy, or delete them, or set them as default configurations.

You can access the list of configurations by clicking Configurations > Configurations.

You can also access the list of configurations by clicking Printers > Configure > Manage configurations.

Editing a configuration

Only configurations that have not been deployed can be edited. These configurations are indicated by a No in the Deployed column.

1. From the Configurations page, click the name of the configuration.

   
   Note: If the name of a deployed configuration is clicked, an error message is shown.
   

2. Edit the configuration, and then click Save Changes.

Copying a configuration

1. To copy a configuration do one of the following.

   • From the Configurations page, select a configuration, and then click Copy.

     

   • Click the name of a deployed configuration, and then click Copy Configuration.

     

2. Type the name of the new configuration, and then click Copy Configuration.

   Note: Selecting Edit configuration after copy opens the newly created configuration in edit mode.
   
Note: Users with the Partner Administrator role can copy a configuration to any organization under the channel partner’s parent organization by entering the name of the destination organization.

Deleting a configuration

1. From the Configurations page, select one or more configurations.

2. Click Delete > Delete configuration.

   

Setting or removing a default configuration

A configuration can be designated as a default configuration. A default configuration is automatically deployed to newly enrolled printers.

1. From the Configurations page, select a configuration, and then click Set as Default.

2. Click Set as Default.

   

1. From the Configurations page, select a configuration, and then click Remove Default.

2. Click Remove Default.

   

Deploying a firmware

You can update firmware without including it in a configuration. Firmware can either be updated now or you can schedule the update at a later time.

1. From the Fleet Management portal, in the Printers page, select one or more printers.

2. Click Configure > Update Firmware.

   

3. In the Update Firmware window, select any of the following:

   

   • Now—Sends an Update firmware task to the agent associated with each selected printer. The latest recommended version of firmware is sent to each selected printer.

     
     Note: This may adversely affect latency on your network.

   • Specific date and time—Schedule the firmware updates in order to minimize network latency and impact on your business operations.

     

     The Update Firmware window shows date and time selection options. Firmware on the selected printers are updated at the date and time specified. An Update firmware task is sent to the agent associated with each selected printer at the date and time specified. The latest recommended version of firmware is sent to each selected printer.

   When should the firmware update occur?

   This menu toggles the Update Firmware window between the Now and Specific date and time options.

   Scheduled task name

   This field allows you to name the firmware update operation. This name is used to identify the update task on the Schedule page.

   

   You can make changes to a scheduled task before it starts by clicking on the name of the task. You can also delete tasks that have not yet started by selecting them, and then clicking Delete.

   
   Note: Once a scheduled task has started, it cannot be modified nor deleted.

   Start date, Start time, and Time zone

   These fields determine when the Firmware update task will start. The time zone field allows you to regionalize the start time. This is helpful if the locations of your printers span multiple time zones.

   

   Task window

   The task window parameters determine how much time will be allowed to update the firmware on all the selected printers. They are used to set a time limit on the duration of the updates to minimize the impact on your network. No firmware updates will be initiated after the task window expires.

   

   Notes:

   • Any firmware update job that is not launched in the specified task window will expire.
   • If you are updating firmware for multiple printers, then make sure that the task window is large enough.
   • For a large number of printers, divide them into batches to further minimize the network impact.

4. Click Update Firmware.

Deploying applications and settings

You can deploy printer applications and settings files to printers without having to create a configuration.

1. From the Fleet Management portal, in the Printers page, select one or more printers.

2. Click Configure > Deploy apps and settings file.

   

3. In the Upload Files window, click Choose Files to browse for the application and settings file or drag and drop the files onto the Upload Files window, and then click Done.