Communication Options
Payter terminals require access to the Internet in order to authorise and complete EMV payments, as well as for Terminal Management and other services. In addition, the terminal requires a Controller to function - an integrated host system. It is important to understand early in the Project what input method will be used by the Integration Solution.
Controller Options
Apollo
The Apollo family of terminals can be controlled via these options:
| Channel | Connection | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Internet Connection | EthernetCellular/Mobile (SIM) | Cloud Payment Service (CPS) OCPI Direct Payment |
| Local Connection | TCP/IP via LANSerial via USB | Payter Session Protocol (PSP) |
| MDB Connection | 5-port molex | Multi Drop Bus (MDB) |
The Serial via USB connection requires an additional adapter, available upon request.
P6X
The P6X terminal can be controlled via these options:
| Channel | Connection | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Internet Connection | EthernetCellular/Mobile (SIM) | Cloud Payment Service |
| Local Connection | 9-pin Serial | Payter Session Protocol (PSP) |
| MDB Connection | 6-port molex | Multi Drop Bus (MDB) |
A key decision to be made by any solution Integrator is whether to use a Local or a Remote (Cloud) interface.
Payter can provide advice on this during the Integration Consultation.
The role of a Cellular/Mobile SIM connection
All Payter terminals support an optional integrated 4G/LTE Modem supporting SIM connectivity for access to the Internet. Payter can supply a roaming SIM, or Integrators & end-user customers can source their own and install upon delivery. Integrators should however consider carefully whether a SIM in each Payter terminal is optimal; Where the host solution also requires connectivity, it can often be much more efficient for this connection to be shared, usually through a Local Area Network.
A SIM 'backup' is often considered a good contingency, but be mindful of the wider installation when selecting a contingency communication method. It may be better to have a single SIM backup in place, either per solution or per site, than have multiple redundancies in place.
Each diagram below shows a different way of providing communication to four separate terminals that share the same site or location:
- Fully Independent
- LAN with Independent Backup
- Fully Integrated Communication
In this approach, all components on site have independent communication methods and no individual redundancies. Depending on your specific implementation, this approach may not be recommended.
The Host Solution and the Terminal both need communication, so a failure in one results in the whole solution being inoperable, albeit potentially on a per-terminal basis.
In this approach, all Payter terminals share a Local Area Network connection, that can share on a single SIM. Additionally, each terminal also has it's own SIM, utilized as a backup communication method for that device if the primary shared connection fails.
The Host Solution and the Terminal both need communication, so a failure in one results in the whole solution being inoperable. The backup SIM in each payment terminal may provide minimal functionality if the host system is unable to operate when disconnected from any services that it may rely on.
In this approach, the site is supported by a wired LAN with internet connectivity. Additionally, SIMs are not installed in the Payter Terminals. As before, a failure in one component results in the whole solution failing, so the redundancies here have been centralized for easier management and resolution. A single SIM backup is also more cost-effective in terms of running costs for the site. A Dual SIM Router may provide the best possible redundancy for remote site-wide internet connectivity.
Active SIMs are a source of recurring costs, as they are typically billed monthly.
Consider the whole solution when determining the integration solution's communication needs and redundancies. Not all solutions need communication for both components, and simplicity is recommended here. More complex solutions, such as a multi-charger EV charging station, benefit from a well planned communication strategy.
Payter can provide advice around best practice, but consider seeking independent infrastructure specialist advice for complex solution deployments.