# POS Pairing
## Revision History
| Date | Description |
| ---------- | ----------------------------- |
| 02/09/2022 | Initial Documentation Release |
## Overview
### Feature Description
The Verifone POS Workstation Pairing Feature Reference provides information on how to pair each Verifone POS Workstation at sites with a Verifone Commander. The Pairing process establishes a trust relationship between the Commander and each Verifone POS Workstation and creates secure communication links. It is similar where a cellphone is paired to a speaker or automobile dash display. The feature is implemented in Base 53.29 and higher.
{% hint style="info" %}
This feature is only used with Verifone POS Workstations. It will not work with third-party POS systems.
Some screens contain "ConfigClient." It is also known as "Configuration Client."
{% endhint %}
### Auto Upgrade
The Verifone POS Workstation Pairing process is strongly recommended by Verifone to be performed on the same day the system is auto upgraded. The Auto Upgrade process, after initiated by a site operator, is entirely automatic and upgrades the software of the Commander and each Verifone POS workstation in a coordinated manner. At the conclusion of the process, the operator is then able to log into each Verifone POS workstation as normal and reopen the store for sales. Each Verifone POS will then display messages indicating that the system needs to be paired. These messages should not be disregarded. Use the steps in this feature reference to pair each POS Workstation with the Commander.
### New Installation
Typically, the Verifone Authorized Service Contractor (VASC) will perform the new installation and will make sure that each Verifone POS workstation at a site is manually paired with the site's Verifone Commander before the Sales operation can begin.
### Hardware Requirements
* Commander Site Controller with Topaz, Ruby2 or C18
* RubyCi with Topaz, Ruby2 or C18
* Commander 16 with Topaz, Ruby2 or C18
### Software Requirements
* Commander Site Controller Base 53.29 and higher.
### Important Information
Follow these rules when performing the pairing process.
* After the Pairing Service has started, there is a limited amount of time to begin the pairing process at a POS workstation. Otherwise, the Pairing Service will have to be restarted.
* On the POS workstation, after \[Pair POS] is pressed, there are only a few minutes to key in the pairing OTP and press \[OK]. However, the pairing OTP must be retrieved within a limited time of pressing \[Pair POS] or it will no longer be available.
* If the message "Unable to pair, please try again" displays, press \[Pair POS] again within a few minutes. Otherwise, the Pairing Service will need to be restarted.
* If the "Unable to pair at this moment, please try again" message displays, it means that a different POS workstation is currently being paired with the Commander.
* In summary, after the Pairing Service has been started, there is a limited amount of time to complete the entire pairing process. Otherwise, the Pairing Service will need to be restarted to continue.
### Outline of the POS Workstation Pairing Process
1. Put each Verifone POS Workstation individually into pairing mode.
2. Use Configuration Client to start the pairing service only after the POS workstation displays the \[Pair POS] button.
3. Perform the pairing process for each Verifone POS Workstation, one at a time.
4. Repeat the process for the next Verifone POS Workstation.
## Using POS Workstation Pairing
This section is divided into the following three sub-sections:
* Pairing after the initial Auto Upgrade, Pairing Expired or Revoked
* Pairing the POS Workstation after New Installation
* Revoke All Trust
{% hint style="info" %}
Each Verifone POS Workstation can be paired at anytime when it is felt that it is needed or by the request of the Verifone Helpdesk.
{% endhint %}
### Pairing after the initial Auto Upgrade, Pairing Expired or Revoked
{% hint style="warning" %}
It is strongly recommended by Verifone to perform the pairing process between each POS Workstation and the Commander on the same day the system is Auto Upgraded or whenever pairing has expired or has been revoked.
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="info" %}
See the Security section in the Commander User Reference for assigning the appropriate access level so that Pairing Service can be started.
{% endhint %}
If the POS displays the "Sec. Alert - Pairing Invalid" or the "Sec. Alert - Pairing Required" message, follow these steps to pair the Verifone POS Workstation with the Commander. The POS Workstation displays one of the two messages below at login to Sales or between each transaction in Sales.
 
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Put the POS Workstation into pairing mode
On the POS Workstation, navigate to CSR Func > Maintenance Menu. Press \[Perform POS Pairing]. A message asking to perform POS pairing displays.
Press \[Yes]. A message "Rebooting to start the pairing process..." will briefly display. The POS will reboot and then the "Pair POS" screen displays. Proceed to the next step.
{% hint style="info" %}
Make sure that the POS Workstation displays "Pair POS" before proceeding to the next step.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Start the Pairing Service in Configuration Client
At Configuration Client and using the Manager credentials, navigate to Configuration Client > Security menu and then click on \[Site Security]. A One-Time Password dialog box displays.
Press the \[Generate OTP] link. The "OTP has been generated. Please read it from the Commander Site Controller's status display." confirmation message displays.
Press \[Ok] to continue.
Read the OTP digits from the Commander, the two pairs of two-digits alternate on the 7-segment status display with the first pair having the decimal point.
Enter the four OTP digits into the text box and then press \[Ok].
Press \[Start Pairing Service]. A confirmation message stating "Pairing service is started" displays.
{% hint style="info" %}
After the Pairing Service has started, there is a limited amount of time to begin the pairing process at a POS workstation. Otherwise, the Pairing Service will have to be restarted.
{% endhint %}
Press \[Ok] to continue.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Begin pairing on the POS Workstation
Go back to the POS Workstation.
{% hint style="info" %}
If the "Unable to pair at this moment, please try again" message displays, it means that a different POS workstation is currently being paired with the Commander.
{% endhint %}
Press \[Pair POS]. A Pairing OTP dialog box displays on the POS.
{% hint style="info" %}
After pressing \[Pair POS] on the POS and if the text within the button changes to "Please wait..." and remains there for several seconds, check the cables and router between the POS workstation and the Commander.
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="info" %}
On the POS workstation, after \[Pair POS] is pressed, there are only a few minutes to key in the OTP and press "OK". However, the pairing OTP must be retrieved within one minute of pressing \[Pair POS] or it will no longer be available.
On the Pairing keypad, the letter 'B' is not used. The letter 'd' is lowercase in the Pairing keypad because it is displayed the same way in the twin 7-segment display on the front of the Commander or on the side of the RubyCi.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Retrieve the Pairing OTP from Configuration Client
Go back to the Configuration Client.
Press the \[Retrieve Pairing OTP] button. A "Pairing session OTP" dialog box displays.
Read the 6-digit Pairing session OTP code from the dialog box.
{% hint style="info" %}
Make a note of the OTP and then press \[Ok].
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Enter the OTP on the POS Workstation
Go back to the POS workstation.
Enter the 6-digit Pairing session OTP code read from Configuration Client into the "Pairing" dialog box.
Verify that all digits and/or letters have been entered correctly.
{% hint style="info" %}
The "Ok" button on the Pairing keypad will not be active until 6-digits have been entered.
If the Pairing session OTP was entered incorrectly, a new pairing OTP must be retrieved.
If the message "Unable to pair, please try again" displays, press \[Pair POS] again within two minutes. Otherwise, the Pairing Service will need to be restarted.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Complete the pairing process
Press \[Ok]. The message "Processing, please wait..." displays and then after a moment, "Successfully Paired" displays.
{% hint style="info" %}
If the "Unable to pair at this moment, please try again" message displays, it means that a different POS workstation is currently being paired with the Commander.
{% endhint %}
Press \[OK] to continue. A message "Pairing completed, preparing to start POS application..." displays. The POS reboots and then starts the application.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Repeat as needed
Repeat these steps if:
* Pairing was not successful
* The site has more than one POS Workstation
{% hint style="info" %}
Each POS Workstation will remain paired for a maximum of one year. However, within two weeks of expiration, renewal occurs automatically. If the renewal were to fail, manual re-pairing by the retailer will be required.
Make sure to revoke all trust from the pairing relationship if the POS Workstation is removed from the system for any reason. See Revoke All Trust section.
{% endhint %}
This completes the Pairing after the initial Auto Upgrade, Pairing Expired or Revoked section.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
### Pairing the POS Workstation after New Installation
Use the following steps to pair the POS Workstation with the Commander after a new installation. The POS Workstation displays the screen below after it boots up.
{% hint style="info" %}
If pairing is not set up in Configuration Client and "Pair POS" is attempted, the "Please use Configuration Client to start Commander Pairing Service and try again" message displays.
{% endhint %}
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Confirm the POS is ready
Make sure that the POS Workstation displays "Pair POS" before proceeding to the next step.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Start pairing in Configuration Client
Using the Manager credentials, navigate to Configuration Client > Security menu and then click on "Site Security." A One-Time Password" dialog box displays.
Press the \[Generate OTP] link. The "OTP has been generated. Please read it from the Commander Site Controller's status display." confirmation message displays.
Press \[Ok] to continue.
Read the OTP digits from the Commander, the two pairs of two-digits alternate on the 7-segment status display with the first pair having the decimal point.
Enter the four OTP digits into the text box and then press \[Ok].
Press \[Start Pairing Service]. A confirmation message stating "Pairing service is started" displays.
{% hint style="info" %}
After the Pairing Service has started, there is a limited amount of time to begin the pairing process at a POS workstation. Otherwise, the Pairing Service will have to be restarted.
{% endhint %}
Press \[Ok] to continue.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Begin pairing on the POS Workstation
Go back to the POS Workstation.
{% hint style="info" %}
If the "Unable to pair at this moment, please try again" message displays, it means that a different POS workstation is currently being paired with the Commander.
{% endhint %}
Press \[Pair POS]. A Pairing OTP dialog box displays on the POS.
{% hint style="info" %}
After pressing \[Pair POS] on the POS and if the text within the button changes to "Please wait..." and remains there for several seconds, check the cables and router between the POS workstation and the Commander.
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="info" %}
On the POS workstation, after \[Pair POS] is pressed, there are only a few minutes to key in the OTP and press "OK". However, the pairing OTP must be retrieved within one minute of pressing \[Pair POS] or it will no longer be available.
On the Pairing keypad, the letter 'B' is not used. The letter 'd' is lowercase in the Pairing keypad because it is displayed the same way in the twin 7-segment display on the front of the Commander or on the side of the RubyCi.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Retrieve the Pairing OTP from Configuration Client
Go back to the Configuration Client.
Press the \[Retrieve Pairing OTP] button. A "Pairing session OTP" dialog box displays.
Read the 6-digit Pairing session OTP code from the dialog box.
{% hint style="info" %}
Make a note of the OTP and then press \[Ok].
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Enter the OTP on the POS Workstation
Go back to the POS workstation.
Enter the 6-digit Pairing session OTP code read from Configuration Client into the "Pairing" dialog box.
Verify that all digits and/or letters have been entered correctly.
{% hint style="info" %}
The \[Ok] button on the Pairing keypad will not be active until 6-digits have been entered.
If the Pairing session OTP was entered incorrectly, a new pairing OTP must be retrieved.
If the message "Unable to pair, please try again" displays, press \[Pair POS] again within a few minutes. Otherwise, the Pairing Service will need to be restarted.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Complete the pairing process
Press \[Ok]. The message "Processing, please wait..." displays and then after a moment, "Successfully Paired" displays.
Press \[OK] to continue. A message "Pairing completed, preparing to start POS application..." displays. The POS reboots and then starts the application.
{% hint style="info" %}
If the "Unable to pair at this moment, please try again" message displays, it means that a different POS workstation is currently being paired with the Commander.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Repeat as needed
Repeat these steps if:
* Pairing was not successful
* The site has more than one POS Workstation
{% hint style="info" %}
Each POS Workstation will remain paired for a maximum of one year. However, within two weeks of expiration, renewal occurs automatically. If the renewal were to fail, manual re-pairing by the retailer will be required.
Make sure to revoke all trust from the pairing relationship if the POS Workstation is removed from the system for any reason. See Revoke All Trust section.
{% endhint %}
This completes the Pairing the POS Workstation after New Installation section.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
### Revoke All Trust
If a workstation needs to be removed for repair or sent to another store, use the following steps to Revoke All Trust from the Pairing Relationship.
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Open Site Security in Configuration Client
Using the Manager credentials, navigate to Configuration Client > Security menu and then click on \[Site Security]. A One-Time Password dialog box displays.
Press the \[Generate OTP] link. The "OTP has been generated. Please read it from the Commander Site Controller's status display." confirmation message displays.
Press \[Ok] to continue.
Read the OTP digits from the Commander, the two pairs of two-digits alternate on the 7-segment status display with the first pair having the decimal point.
Enter the four OTP digits into the text box and then press \[Ok].
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Revoke all trust
Press the \[Revoke All Trust] button. A confirmation message stating "This action will remove all prior pairing relationships. All POS Workstations will need to be paired again. Are you sure you want to continue?" displays.
{% hint style="danger" %}
Pressing the \[Revoke All Trust] button will remove all prior pairing relationships. All POS Workstations will need to be paired again.
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="info" %}
If \[Yes] is selected, ALL POS Workstations will need to be paired again.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Confirm the action
Press \[Yes]. The "Processing request. Please Wait..." message displays.
Press \[Ok].
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Pair the other POS Workstations again
Follow the steps in "Pairing after the initial Auto Upgrade, Pairing Expired or Revoked" section to pair the other POS Workstations.
This completes Revoke All Trust section.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
## Troubleshooting and Messages
### Permission Denied
This message displays for the following reason:
* The Helpdesk is trying to PuTTY into the POS, but the POS is not paired with the Commander. Use the steps in the Pairing after the initial Auto Upgrade, Pairing Expired or Revoked section.
### Unable to Pair, Cannot Communicate
This message displays of one of the following reasons:
* The cables between the POS Workstation and the Commander are not connected or not seated properly.
* The router between the POS Workstation and the Commander is not connected or communicating or has no power.
* Verify that the Commander is running and properly loaded with the correct application software.
### Start Commander Pairing Service and Try Again
This message displays for the following reason:
* Pair POS was initiated, but the Commander Pairing Service was not running. Navigate back to Configuration Client > Security > Site Security to restart the Pairing Service.
### Auto Upgrade
This message displays for the following reason:
* The Pairing failed in this system during the Auto Upgrade. Press \[OK] to reboot and then follow the steps in the Pairing after the initial Auto Upgrade, Pairing Expired or Revoked section.
### Sec. Alert - Pairing Invalid on the POS Workstation
This message displays of one of the following reasons:
* The POS Workstation has been connected to a different Commander, the Commander has been replaced or its software has been re-loaded.The site operator must immediately perform the steps in the "Pairing after the initial Auto Upgrade, Pairing Expired or Revoked" section. The message will continue to display between each transaction until the POS is paired.
* The pairing expired or was revoked. Repeat the steps in the "Pairing after the initial Auto Upgrade, Pairing Expired or Revoked" section.
### Sec. Alert - Pairing Required on the POS
This message displays for the following reason:
* The POS was Auto Upgraded and the cashier logged into Sales for the first time and this message displays. Follow the steps in the Pairing after the initial Auto Upgrade, Pairing Expired or Revoked section. This must be performed the same day.
### POS was unable to Pair
This message displays of one of the following reasons:
* The pairing failed. Repeat the steps in the Pairing after the initial Auto Upgrade, Pairing Expired or Revoked section.
* The Pairing Service was not started on the Commander via Configuration Client. Follow the steps in the Pairing after the initial Auto Upgrade, Pairing Expired or Revoked section.
* An incorrect Pairing Session OTP was entered. Select \[Pair POS] and Retrieve another Pairing OTP from Configuration Client in the Pairing after the initial Auto Upgrade, Pairing Expired or Revoked section.
{% hint style="info" %}
If the message "Unable to pair, please try again" displays, press \[Pair POS] again within a few minutes. Otherwise, the Pairing Service will need to be restarted.
If the "Unable to pair at this moment, please try again" message displays, it means that a different POS workstation is currently being paired with the Commander.
{% endhint %}
### Certificate Expiration and Renewal Messages
A warning that the certificates are expiring and a POS renewal is scheduled. No action is needed.
The POS certificates were renewed. No action is needed.
Certificates expired and POS pairing is required. See the Pairing after the initial Auto Upgrade, Pairing Expired or Revoked section for the steps to pair the POS Workstation with the Commander.
System Messages
## GLOSSARY OF TERMS
The following terms and definitions will assist the reader with understanding the content of the Feature Reference.
| Terms | Definitions |
| ------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Auto Upgrade | It is initiated by a site operator. It is entirely automatic and upgrades the software of the Commander and each Verifone POS workstation in a coordinated manner. |
| Pairing | The Pairing process establishes a trust relationship between the Commander and each Verifone POS Workstation and creates secure communication links. It is similar where a cellphone is paired to a speaker or automobile dash display. |
---
# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.
Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:
```
GET https://docs.verifone.com/feature-references/feature-references/pos-pairing.md?ask=
```
The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.
Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.