Secondary Register Workstation Can't Connect to Server

[RetailEdge User]

I installed RetailEdge on a secondary Register (client-only install). When I start the program I get an error message saying that RetailEdge can not connect to the Server.

When I click the OK button, I get a Server Connection form. What values should I enter on this form? What IP adress?

Thanks.

[Andy]

It sounds like you need to tell RetailEdge the correct IP Address for the data server. RetailEdge uses a Client/Server architecture and each client workstation needs to know how to connect to the data server computer.

On the Server Connection form, enter the data server's IP Address. Usually, this will be a number like 127.0.0.1, 192.168.1.100, or 10.10.0.50.

On a single workstation system where the data server and the client are installed on the same machine, the IP Address should be 127.0.0.1.

To connect to a data server on a different machine, you need to know the IP Address of the data server computer. If you don't know the address, try the following on the data server computer.

1) Start RetailEdge on the data server.

2) Go to Tools / Settings / Server Connection from the main menu.

3) Click the LAN Info button.

4) The LAN Info button should give you at least two IP addresses. The LocalHost is 127.0.0.1. You need the other number. This is the data server's network IP address.


Once you have the data server's network address, you need to enter it into the client's Server Connection form. You probably do not need/want to make any other changes.

If for some reason this does not work. Double check your data. If it still does not work, then you may need to check the data server's firewall settings (we need ports 12005 - 12008) and any other security software that might be installed on the server.

[EdgyUser]

Using my neighbor's wireless connection (with his permission) I was unable to get a secondary workstation to connect from his connection, to the server on my connection. So on the server computer, I open the RetailEdge Server Status page, and go to tools->administration->Authorized IPs and input the IP of (his) IP with the remote workstation as an authorized IP address - ok, the workstation connects.

However, this server has a dynamic IP - it uses a dyndns account to make the static hostname.

Removing the IP and inputting the static name in this screen instead prevents me from connecting (seems this needs an IP address, and a hostname doesn't get resolved). Is there a workaround, or am I going to have to change this every week when my ISP decides to change my Dynamic Address again?

Thanks.

[Andy]

The short answer is yes, you will have to change the authorized address (as IP) if the router is reset.

We are doing some research to see what all the options are. I'll get back to you when we find out something.

One thought: if your goal is to run RetailEdge from home, then you might also consider using remote control software such as MS's Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) or pcAnywhere or VNC (free). We've had good success with RDP (which is also free). The UI refreshes quickly and RetailEdge client is actually running locally in the store so it is running at top speed.