PAX A35 device or other A-series (Android) Device Setup

Owned by
Jason Epp
Last updated: May 22, 2024
7 min read

The PAX A35 can be used as a replacement for the S300 payment device or for new sites. A35 and other new PAX devices use the Android OS. 

Hardware

  • Instructions for hardware setup and configuration can be found on the A35 Quick Setup Guide: A35-Quick-Setup-Guide.pdf, but it should be noted that for the A35 the 9-pin wire and USB wire, which are grouped with the red Lan Ethernet wire, on the Communication cable, are not used and will not power the device. Use the USB adaptor to Type C cable to provide power through the Communication cable.
  • Once connected to Power, the device should automatically startup, or if needed restart the device by pressing and holding the red 'X' and and green ‘O’ button for 5-8 seconds, the operation system will restart.
    • Examples of cables and connections (small screwdriver will be needed to connect power/data cable, not included):

  

New Device Setup

The following settings are to be configured on the PAX Android device itself:  

  • Network settings, such as DHCP/Static IP, either Wi-Fi with password or Ethernet parameters for IP, subnet, gateway and DNS are configured on the device. (No longer pushed from PAXStore.)
  • Display timeouts, screensaver and brightness are controlled through Android settings. 
  • Sound, Date, time and time zone are configured automatically in Android based on network and location, unless changed on the device itself. 

Warning: Some settings within Android - such as uninstalling apps, notifications and password - may affect the device when used for credit card processing.  

Network settings

  • To set up a new device or for a new network, go to Settings on the device and enter the password.
    • The Android device settings menu may be password locked. The default Android password is: pax9876@@ or 9876

  • Select Network & Internet

Wi-Fi

  • If using a Wi-Fi, select Wi-Fi.

  • Swipe to turn on the Wi-Fi and see a list of available networks. (NOTE: PAX should not be used on a public network, and it may not connect to a Public Wi-Fi) 

  • If available, connect to the WiFi network for your location. Enter the password, tap Advanced, choose DNCP/Static IP and add IP information if assigned.
  • If your WiFI network is not shown, tap Add network and enter the network SSID, password and Advanced IP information.
  • Before exiting Wi-Fi, it is important to setup Wi-Fi preferences, select Wi-Fi preferences:
    • Turn on Wi-Fi automatically - swipe On
    • Turn off Open network notification - swipe Off
    • Under Advanced, Keep Wi-Fi on during sleep (this is needed for automatic batching overnight) - set to Always

 

  • Once completed go back to see the connected Wi-Fi network

 


Ethernet

  • If using an Ethernet cable, tap Ethernet, turn on the option and enter the static IP information to connect.

Display settings

NOTE: Some setting names or availability will change depending on version of Android on the PAX.

  • After completing the network settings, return to the Settings menu and tap Display,

  • Screen timeout or Sleep: Change the settings to not time out. If in sleep, it may put network settings offline which can impact Batch closing. 
    • By default, the display will time out after 1 min of inactivity if not changed.
  • Tap Advanced, tap Font Size, change from the default to Max or Largest. This will help with the readability of menu items and tip options during transactions.
  • Tap Display Size, change from default to Max or Large. This will help with readability of the screen.  
  • Configure any other display options as needed.

Sound setup

  • After completing the display settings, configure any sound preferences (while it is NOT A PHONE, it is similar to a Android phone, so Android familiarity will help with basic Android troubleshooting):

Time zone settings:

Update the time zone and verify the time. By default the time zone will be setup for GMT+8 (China) and if not updated, the batch or database maintenance will occur at the wrong time, causing a "FILTER PARAMETER COLLISION" error. 

  1. Go to settings from the idle screen (not in the Portico/Rapid Connect/[processor] application), Gear Icon
  2. Scroll down to System
  3. Tap Date & Time
  4. Toggle 'automate date & time' and ensure it's greyed out
  5. tap Select time zone
  6. select the time zone your device should be setup with
  7. Choose Set date and set the appropriate date
  8. Choose Set time and set the appropriate time

Security (& Location) - automatic Reboot

Under Security, there is an option in the latest firmware for PayDroid called "Scheduled reboot time" that should be setup on each device. If left with default the site could encounter "System reboots in (X) seconds for routine security check" during the day, and it may interfere with a transaction in process:  

The time should be somewhere overnight, preferably after the batching and before the site is open, perhaps 5:30AM if Batching is at 4AM and the sit opens at 6:00AM. 

 To set the "Scheduled reboot time": 

  1. Go to settings (gear Icon) from the idle home screen (not within the Portico/Rapid Connect/[processor] application)
  2. Enter password when prompted
  3. Scroll down to Security (or Security & Loacation)
  4. Scroll down to Schedule reboot time
  5. Ensure it is set to ON (this is needed to force a check for updates)
  6. Tap Schedule time and set the Reboot time that is outside of business hours, usually overnight, and after normal Batch times (most sites batch between 3AM and 5AM, varies).  The time selector does not have AM/PM, instead it will be outer circle for AM to Noon, and inner circle with Military time for hours, PM to Midnight.  
    1.  

DO NOT CHANGE Android password. Keep in mind that any change to the Android security password is NOT recommended and may require PAX Support or replacement if the password is lost.

Other settings

Location settings should also be turned on for PAXSTORE or verified through the Settings menu. This is used to track hardware location in the event of theft or replaced. 

PAXStore Updates and Information

After the device is connected to the network and is visible to PAXStore (must be registered by Serial Number and Active in PAXStore), new apps/parameters and device configuration can be sent from either PAXStore or from the PAXSSTORE app on the device.

  • Push Deploy
    • When a push deploy is sent with configuration or app updates from PAXStore with immediate push, a message on the PAX device allows users the option to settle/close any active batches before applying the update.
    • If Not Now is selected, the update will not be applied until the batch is automatically settled. It can also be scheduled in PAXStore by date/time.

  • The BroadPOS processor app is required for use with NorthStar Order Entry as a credit card device. It will appear on the Android Home Page with a PAX icon labeled as follows: 
    • Rapid Connect - FDMS
    • Sierra - TSYS
    • Portico - Heartland
    • Shift4 - Shift4
  • If the app is not installed, please contact Support for assistance.

Android PAX device: PAXSTORE App - (Network troubleshooting for Android PAX devices)

On the PAX Android desktop for the device, there will be a "PAXSTORE" App that can show the connection status of the device to PAXStore, and it can be opened to Apps, installs, updates and history. On the device: 

  •  Tap on the PAXSTORE App button 
  • The app should load with applications, if Serial Number device is Active in PAXStore and on network. Tap the More/Detail - green circle in upper left with 3-lines: 
  • On the More/Detail screen, you can see if the device can connect to PAXSTORE, by Online in the upper right. Also, history of downloads, updates, and other information: 

PAXSTORE configuration (Support) portal with the Device App Offline (Network troubleshooting for Android PAX devices)

If Offline, either the PAXSTORE.US URL is blocked/firewalled or the device is off the Network.

For Network:

  • Review the Android Settings menu, check IP, Subnet, Gateway and DNS, if using Wi-Fi, look for connection status, strength, etc. 
  • If LAN, make sure the cable is connected, not damaged and the Ethernet Router port is not disabled/turned off. Sometimes the Router will have the LAN port disabled if it was not in use for an extended period of time, and moving the Lan cable to a known working port will resolve an issue. 
  • If Wi-Fi, make sure the network is not PUBLIC (like an open Guest Wi-Fi network)
  • Check firewall for restrictions or whitelist the URL for PAXSTORE.US

From PAXSTORE:

  • Check for the device by Serial Number in PAXSTORE, make sure it is Active and Online: 
  • If Disabled, set to Active. 
  • Try sending a Push App or Send a Message to the device, with numbers (1, 2, 3,...) to ensure the messages are sent in real-time or within 10 seconds and correct order. 
  • Use the the yellow circling arrows icon to sync the device. 

References