FP PostBase User manual

This PostBase installation guide allows you to easily set up your postage meter
to suit your organisation’s network arrangements. This document will guide
you through the steps of the wizard. If you are a small business or home based
office then please refer to the PostBase Installation guide—for small business
and home based office.
Further installation videos are available on our dedicated YouTube support
channel - Simply visit www.youtube.com and search for FPTVUK
lso check our website which is being constantly updated with new support
information www.fpmailing.co.uk

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Guide contents
. Introduction
2. Preparation - Assembling and connecting the PostBase
3. First Steps: Installing the PostBase
4. Setting up Ethernet Connections
5. Configuration Overview
6. Using an external USB analogue modem (optional)
7. Reference information for network administrators
1 - Introduction
The PostBase meter needs a connection to the Francotyp-Postalia Infrastructure
in order that it can download funds and data. It is recommended that an Ethernet
(LAN) connection is used for this. This is the type usually used to connect
computers to the Internet, both at work and in the home (e.g. using DSL).
If necessary the meter can also use a modem connection - that is the older, slower
method over the telephone. Modem connections are, however, only intended for
those users cannot use an Ethernet connection since they are much slower and
offer a more restricted service. This document gives you details on setting the
meter up to use these communication methods.
FP can also supply a WIFI adapter for your PostBase. If you have
purchased the WIFI adapter then please refer to the WIFI Configuration
Guide before continuing the PostBase installation.

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2 - Preparation - ssembling and connecting the PostBase
For an Ethernet connection, the meter needs:
· An Ethernet connection (minimum 0MBit/sec) in the vicinity of where the meter
will be operated. The meter itself comes with a 3 meter (9.8 foot) cable. The meter
and the included cable use an RJ45 type of connector. If you use a different cable,
then we recommend it is of type CAT5E.
· If you work in a medium or larger organization, then the meter will probably have
to be connected to an internal network, which may include a proxy server. If so, we
recommend you check with your network administrator, whether “DHCP” is
supported and, if not, then you will need an “IP-Address”. The last page of this
document includes technical details for your network administrator. It includes a
list of all information you will require.
If you do not have an Ethernet connection available, then you will need to use a
telephone/modem connection. In this case you should make sure you have ordered
the PostBase USB modem adapter, and should have a suitable telephone socket
within 3 meters of your PostBase meter.
We strongly recommend using your PostBase meter with an Ethernet connection.
2 a - ssembling PostBase
Caution! When you move PostBase from a cold environment (i.e. below
10 °C / 50 ° ): Unpack the PostBase and wait at least 2 hours before
connecting PostBase. PostBase requires this period to adapt to the ambient conditions.
• Choose an installation site with the following
ambient conditions:
– room temperature: 5 °C to 35 °C
(59 °F to 95 °F)
– no direct sunlight
– power socket in the immediate vicinity
– network connection with internet access
or
telephone socket for modem connection in the
immediate vicinity.
• Place PostBase on a firm, level, low vibration
and horizontal base.

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PostBase with feeder (optional)

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2 b - Connecting PostBase
(optional - with FP Navigator Software)
(Not available in the UK)

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(optional)
PC connection is optional with FP Navigator Software)
(Not available in the UK)

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3 - First Steps: Installing the PostBase
Before switching PostBase on...
please ensure you have connected the
PostBase via Network cable to a live
Ethernet port or switch
Turn PostBase on: Press the PostBase
button.
The display lighting and button illumination
switch on. PostBase performs a self test
and then starts the installation procedure.
The first step of the installation wizard will ask you for your desired language
selection. The PostBase will then try to connect to the FP network automatically to
download its software and your settings. If this is unsuccessful then follow the next
steps:
You will then be asked whether you want
to use an Ethernet or Modem based
connection. We strongly recommend
using an Ethernet connection.
The set up for Ethernet connections is
described in the next section.
For Modem connections see section 6.

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4 - Setting up Ethernet Connections
4.1 - DHCP: s the P Address assigned automatically?
For an Ethernet connection, you will next be asked whether ‘DHCP’ connections
can be used in your network or not. Using DHCP simplifies the configuration and so
we recommend this if possible.
If you are not sure whether DHCP is supported, please contact your IT network
administrator (where possible).
You can simply try making a connection with DHCP. If it isn’t supported, then you
will get an error later and will simply have to run through the wizard again.
Simply touch your chosen option
and then ‘CONTINUE’.
If you select DHCP =Disabled then
you will be prompted to manually
enter the machine IP address.
Contact you IT network
administrator in this instance.
4.2 - Specifying a proxy server
Next, you will be asked about a ‘Proxy Server’. If your organisation uses one, you
will have to enter its details so that the meter can get access to the Internet.
In most cases, the default setting is:
Proxy = disabled.
In this case you should answer
‘DIS BLED’ here. Continue to step 5.
If you select ‘ENABLED’ then please
continue to step 4.2a
If you are unsure then please consult your IT
Network administrator.

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4.2a - Entering Proxy Server Settings (if applicable)
If your network uses a proxy server, you will need to enter its details into the wiz-
ard. Before you can do this, you will need to obtain the needed information.
You will need the following:
• The IP address of the proxy server and the port
number to use
• Whether authentication is to be used, and if
so, the corresponding user name and password.
) Enter the IP address of the proxy
server -
A keyboard will appear on the
display in which you can enter the IP
address.
You can use the CE (bottom right key)
to successively
correct the last entries.
2) Enter the Port Number
The ‘port number’ must be entered
next. This will normally have the
value “8080”.
Occasionally another value might be
needed, for example “80”.
Contact your IT network
administrator if unsure.
3) If your proxy server needs
authentication, then you must set
E NABLED here and enter the details
on the next wizard pages.
If in doubt, contact your IT
network administrator. If the
proxy needs authentication they
may need to give you a special user
name and password for the device.

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5 - Configuration overview
Finally, before saving the information,
a summary will be shown of all the
entries, including the manual IP
address and the proxy server.
Check these through before touching
on ‘S AVE ’.
The meter must restart before the
settings will become active. Touch
‘C ONTINUE ’ to restart it and test
the connection.
If the machine can’t make a
connection, the wizard will reappear
after rebooting. In this case, you
should first check the connections,
then the settings you have entered.
You can also check the settings with your IT system administrator.
f all goes well, PostBase will now continue with the remainder of its
configuration...
If it can’t connect, the wizard will return to its starting point. In this case, you should
first check the connections and then the settings you have entered.
PLEASE NOTE, YOU W LL NEED TO ENTER YOUR MACH NE SPEC F C R-P N
NUMBER NTO THE MACH NE WHEN PROMPTED, TH S CAN BE FOUND N
YOUR FP WELCOME PACK.

6 - Using an external USB analogue modem (optional)
If you do not have access to an Ethernet connection, then PostBase can be con-
figured to use a modem connection. In this case the USB Modem must be used.
Connect the modem to the USB interface and telephone connection before
proceeding. Then in the first step (see section 3 “First Steps: Type of connection,
Ethernet or modem?”), select modem.
6.1 - Direct Line
Next you will be asked to confirm the
type of telephone line: Direct Line or
Extension.
If you chose Direct Line, then that is
all the information that is needed.
You will be shown the
confirmation screen (right) and
PostBase will attempt to make a
connection.
6.2 - Extension lines: Hook Flash or
Exchange Digit
If you have chosen an extension line
above, then you will next need to
configure the way in which the
modem obtains an outside line.
There are two ways:
Generally, in order to obtain an
outside line the modem dials a
Special ‘exchange digit’ (e.g. a ‘9’) -
In this instance please select
“Exchange Digit”

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6.3 - Extension Lines: Setting the dialled code
In systems where an exchange digit is
used to get an extension line, the
dialed digit(s) must be entered. This
may be a simple digit, for example, ‘9’
or a more complicated code.
Enter the digit using the
numeric keypad. Sometimes there
must a pause or wait period after the
code has been entered to allow the
telephone system to receive the dialing tone from the outside line. You
can enter such a pause use the ‘P/W’ key.
If you make a mistake, use the CE (bottom right key) to
successively correct the last entries.
That is all the information that is
needed. You will be shown the
confirmation screen (here) and
PostBase will attempt to make a
connection.
f all goes well, PostBase will now continue with the remainder of its
configuration…
If it can’t connect, the wizard will return to its starting point. In this case, you should
first check the connections, then the settings you have entered.
PLEASE NOTE, YOU W LL NEED TO ENTER YOUR MACH NE SPEC F C R-P N
NUMBER NTO THE MACH NE WHEN PROMPTED, TH S CAN BE FOUND N
YOUR FP WELCOME PACK.

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7 - Reference Information for Network dministrators
The following section summarises the information that a system administrator may
need about the Francotyp-Postalia PostBase meter.
The PostBase meter requires (preferably) an Ethernet connection, with a minimum
of 0 Mbit/sec, in order to able to download postal funds from a Francotyp-Postalia
server. Ethernet cables of class CAT5E are recommended. For this it normally uses
TCP/IP (v4 only) through an https connection using TLS v .2 over port 443.
In certain cases it may also use an http connection over port 80. These two ports
must therefore be enabled in any firewall. It will attempt to make a connection to
gbr.francotyp.com and deu.francotyp.com
The meter may be configured to use DHCP (default) or, alternatively, it may be
configured to use a fixed IP address, in which case the IP address of the meter,
subnet mask, gateway and DNS server information must be manually entered.
A proxy server may also be configured, in which case the IP address and port of the
proxy will be needed. Proxy servers without authentication are supported, however
the meter can also use ‘basic’ or ‘digest’ authentication methods (using a user
name and password; the digest uses an MD5 checksum). NTLM is not supported as
an authentication method.
The meter may also use a modem connection over a telephone line, however this
mechanism is no longer recommended. In this case an 56,000 baud modem line is
required.
Further installation videos are available on our dedicated YouTube channel
Simply visit www.youtube.com and search for FPTVUK
If you need further information to assist with the installation of your franking
machine, visit www.fpmailing.co.uk and log in to the customer help centre.

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To help us improve our service to you, please provide any feedback on the installa-
tion of your PostBase machine to [e-mail]
Notes:

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Francotyp-Postalia Ltd
74 Questor
Powdermill Lane
Dartford
Kent
DA EF Version .3 (27/08/20 3)