ELATEC introduces the TCP3

23 July 2019

Elatec TCP3 Authentication/Release Station

Designed for secure printing, TCP3 enables user authentication and access control for devices lacking a USB port.

Elatec has introduced their latest authentication device, a small network appliance. The TCP3 Authentication/release station enables devices without a USB port to incorporate an RFID or biometric reader to select single and multi-function printers, in order to use a pin pad and other forms of user identification and access control, supporting USB 3.0 and Gigabit Ethernet networks. This extends the use of organisations employee identification badges to authenticate applications beyond physical access.

Main benefits of the TCP3 station:

Frees up your USB ports for other devices
An alternative for devices that don’t have a USB port
Allows you to utilise existing technology for authentication

Security:

Send card data via UDP / SSL / TLS1.2 or HTTP / HTTPS
Unique factory-programmed password for each device
Built on Linux 4.14 platform with latest security updates
Security updates available quarterly

Flexibility:

Built on Linux platform
Private labelling available
Tailored to customer needs
Ability to install customer applications
Can be oﬀered as a base platform for customers to build their own product
Ability to custom tailor memory footprint (Up to 2 TB)

Most organisations extend the use of their employee ID badge or card to authenticate for applications beyond building access, and this includes most multi-function printers. However, not all printers and devices have support for the direct connection of a card reader, such as those with no USB port. In these situations, the ELATEC TCP3 station extends ID card-based capabilities such as authentication for pull printing to any printing device regardless of the manufacturer, make or model.

“The TCP3 station was designed to minimise information technology support costs associated with additional IP or MAC addresses while consuming only one network drop from its Host port,” said Kenneth Buck, Solutions Architect for ELATEC. “TCP3 has two Ethernet connectors designated as Host and Device. The Device port enables connection of a printer or other peripheral without requiring a second network drop.”

“TCP3 is designed around ever-increasing network performance requirements for high-speed graphic printers and engineering plotters allowing simultaneous communication of print data and printer status at gigabit speeds,” added Buck. “But whichever the application, TCP3 provides unmatched security, performance, device management and flexibility — welcome benefits for any IT network and networked devices.”