Sync&Deploy allows you to manage your RIP stations, printers, and media profiles remotely. 

This article will guide you through the configuration of Sync&Deploy and help you get the most out of it in combination with CalderaDock and EasyMedia.

Sync&Deploy has been available with CalderaRIP since version 11.
However, in version 15, the printer management feature was moved to our CalderaDock toolbox, and the media profile management feature was moved to the EasyMedia module.

Set up on CalderaRIP

Configuring RIP station(s) and connected workgroups

To start, go to the menu Special and then click on Nexio Configuration:

You can set a RIP name to recognize your station on the network (in this example, "Caldera-station-1"). If you don’t configure this pop-up before using Sync&Deploy, the default name will be the computer's name using the RIP. You might be interested in reading: How to configure client/server workflows with names instead of IP addresses?

Then you have the Group mode to choose from. The default value is an Automatic group, but when clicking on the drop-down icon, you will get the rest of the options:

Each Group mode allows different actions:

• No group: The RIP station will not be shown in any list.
• Automatic group: This is the most permissive group, as it is open to anyone. The RIP is linked with any station in an “Automatic group” or in a “Group”.
• Group: The RIP is linked to the stations in its “Group” (by the Group name) or in an “Automatic group”.
• Standalone group: The RIP is linked to the stations in the same “Standalone group”. Example:
  
• If you choose Group or Standalone group, you need to set a name to allow other RIPs to browse the network and link themselves to your group.

Group name. If you choose the Automatic group mode, you can link another RIP to your group if the stations are on the same local network by clicking on the Browse button (next to the Group name option):

You can select the group you want to be in and then click on the Select button, this will automatically fill in the Group mode and Group name.

Once you finish, you must click on the Apply button to save the configuration.

Set up on CalderaDock

Printer management on one or several RIP stations

With the integration of Sync&Deploy on CalderaDock, you can deploy calpatch files (software upgrades or drivers, for example) to your or another station.

You might want to read:

• How to install CalderaDock?
• How to install CalderaDock's Sync&Deploy?

To start, open CalderaDock and install/launch the Sync&Deploy application:

The interface displays on the left side a list of all RIP stations that are on the same local network:

Status tab features

• The search bar allows you to filter the list of available RIPs by their IP Address or RIP Name.
• Meaning of the colored dots shown next to each station name:
  • Green: the station is online and available
  • Orange: the station is online, but it is not possible to deploy on it
  • Red: the station is offline and unreachable 
• By clicking on a station from the list on the left, you will be able to see printers already installed on that specific station

Deploy tab features

• On the Deploy tab, you will be able to select one or several RIPs:

• To deploy calpatch files on them, like a driver downloaded from CalderaDock or WorkSpace, you can either Drag&Drop them or click on the "Choose a calpatch file" button.

• How are the Patch files distributed?
  • They are sent first to one of the selected stations, and then to this station will dispatch the file to the other RIPs selected.
  • Once the patch is on all the selected stations, then the installation begins.
  • Information about the success or failure of the installation will be displayed. You can also check it on the Status tab / History list:

• You can queue patch installations to the RIPs (can be other RIPs where you want to install other patches)

Set up on EasyMedia

Media profile management on one or several RIP stations

Media profiles can also be downloaded from CalderaDock (Profiles tab), WorkSpace (main dashboard), or directly from the printer (if it has an Auto-Sync feature). 

Once installed on your printer(s), since CalderaRIP V11, it is possible to export these profiles in batch, both locally or remotely, with the Sync&Deploy button in the EasyMedia module:

You may be interested in reading:

• Quickstart - EasyMedia
• EasyMedia: How to import a media profile patch
• EasyMedia: How to export a media profile patch

Steps for exporting media profiles with Sync&Deploy on EasyMedia

1. Go to the EasyMedia module   
   
   

2. Select the printer you want to deploy the media profile(s):
   
   
   

3. Select the profiles you want to deploy, then click Export and choose Sync&Deploy:
   
   
   

4. You can choose the stations and drivers (if you have several identical printers on the same RIP), where you want to deploy the profiles:

   
   
   
   • Show only servers with identical model name: This checkbox is enabled by default, and we recommend you leave it as it is. The option is available for specific cases when some profiles are compatible with different models, but the software can’t determine which profiles are compatible with other models.
   • Show only server in the current RIP group: If you have linked your Caldera stations in the General Setup part, you will be able to see them and the different drivers of the same model they have easily.
     If your stations are not linked correctly, you can disable this option and then click the “Refresh” button, as this will discover all the RIPs on the network. Please note that the process might take 1 or 2 minutes, but when it's done, you will be able to deploy patches on stations that are not in your group.
     
     
5. Once you have selected stations and drivers to deploy profiles on, click on the “Deploy” button.
   
   

     Caution

   You will be warned that the installation will stop Caldera software and all running jobs on the stations you will deploy on, which means that Sync&Deploy will abort all print jobs running on the Caldera stations selected:

   
   
   Having all your Caldera stations paused when you deploy a patch to avoid conflicts between the server/client and remote drivers is highly recommended.

6. You can see the progress bar of the deployment process, and then you have feedback on each installation performed:
   
   
   
   

Limitations and recommendations on EasyMedia

• The Sync&Deploy button on EasyMedia only works for media profiles (for drivers, use CalderaDock)
• Before starting, make sure you have installed it on both stations the drivers for which you want to deploy the media profiles/patches
• It is recommended to have the stations configured in the same group to avoid manual filtering and time-consuming network discovery. Go to the General set-up chapter to learn more
• Installing media profiles via CalderaDock or the old Caldera WebApp is not recommended, as these methods require a lot of precision in the printer names you are working with. These methods can also create security issues if you are using macOS