racedb_qlmux

racedb_qlmux/qlmux_proxy container

Description

This is a container that runs the qlmux_proxy application. It handles printing of labels for RaceDB on Brother QL printers and implements a proxy to handle the communication between RaceDB and an Impinj RFID reader.

Printers and Readers are discovered using SNMP broadcasts, and the container will automatically detect and configure them.

The container also provides a web interface to view the status of the printers and RFID readers and determine which printers and readers are used.

Printer Queues

qlmux_proxy uses two queues to handle spooling of labels to the printers:

- left - intended for printers used by stations on the left end of the table
- right - intended for printers used by stations on the right end of the table
- center - backup for all stations

By default the label will be printed on the:

• left (or right) printer that is available and has been idle the longest.
• If no printer is available, the label will be printed on the center printer.
• If there is no center printer available, the label will printed on the other right (or left) printer that is available.
• If no printer available it will be queued until a printer becomes available.

Dockerfile

This creates an image based on python:3.10.0-alpine and installs the necessary dependencies.

docker-compose.yml

This creates a container based on the image created by the Dockerfile.

N.b. The container needs to be run with the network_mode: host option to allow it to use SNMP Broadcasts to find printers and RFID readers.

Usage

Once the container is running, the qlmux_proxy application will be available on ports:

• 9101-9104 to receive print data from RaceDB
• 5084 RFID data to proxy to the Impinj reader
• 9180 is a web interface to view the status of printers and rfid readers

Printer Configuration

• DHCP - The printer should be configured to use DHCP to get an IP address
• Hostname - The printer should have a hostname set to the name of the printer
• Queue - if the hostname ends in “-left” or “-right” the printer will be used for the left or right queue otherwise it will be used for the center queue

The queue can be changed in the web interface.

RFID Reader Configuration

• DHCP -The reader should be configured to use DHCP to get an IP address.
• Hostname - The reader should have a hostname set to the name of the reader
• Usage - If the hostname ends in “-table” the reader will be used for the table, if “-kiosk” it will be used for the kiosk

The usage can be changed in the web interface.

Table vs Kiosk

• Table - RaceDB should be configured to use 127.0.0.1
• Kiosk - RaceDB should be configured to use 127.0.0.2