# LAN Bridge Setup
> Source: https://development.fuze-store.com/docs/app/printer/lan-bridge-setup

# LAN Bridge Setup

The **LAN Bridge** is the on-premise helper that lets Fuze Store talk to USB and Serial printers and makes printing from a web browser possible. It is now built into the **Fuze Store Hub** — a free desktop app you install on one computer in your store. There is no separate "LAN Bridge" download; installing the Hub gives you the bridge.

If you only use **Bluetooth** printers from the mobile app, you can skip this guide — Bluetooth printing does not need the Hub.

## When you need it

You need the Fuze Store Hub if **any** of these are true:

- You have a **USB** printer.
- You have a **Serial / RS-232** printer.
- You print receipts from a **web browser** (the Fuze Store dashboard).
- You want **faster, more reliable** printing in a busy store, even with TCP/IP printers.

You **do not** need it if:

- You only use a **Bluetooth** printer with the mobile app.
- You only use a **TCP/IP** printer from the mobile app and you're happy with the speed.

## What you need

- A Windows, Mac, or Linux computer that **stays on** during business hours (a dedicated mini-PC, an old laptop, or your back-office computer).
- The computer must be on the **same Wi-Fi or LAN** as your POS device(s) and your printers.
- About **10 minutes** for setup.

## Install and connect the Hub

The Hub has its own setup guide. Follow it once, then come back here to add printers:

Download and install the Fuze Store Hub for your operating system. See [Installing Fuze Store Hub](/docs/hub/installing-fuze-store-hub).

On first launch you **sign in**, **pick the store** this computer serves, and paste a **72-hour activation key** (generated for you in the mobile app under **Configurations → Integrations → Fuze Store Hub**). There is no Store ID to type and no shared password to copy. See [First-Time Setup](/docs/hub/first-time-setup).

Generate an 8-digit pair code in **Hub → Settings → Network** and enter it on your phone or tablet's pairing wizard. Each device gets its own 30-day session key — there's no manual IP address or port to enter; the app finds the Hub on your Wi-Fi automatically once paired. See [Pairing the Mobile App](/docs/hub/pairing-mobile-app).

The mobile app sends a small "heartbeat" to the Hub every 30 seconds to keep the connection healthy. If the Hub is unreachable for too long, you'll see a "LAN disconnected" banner — your prints **queue** and resume automatically when the Hub is back. See [Print Queue & Status](/docs/app/printer/print-queue-and-status).

## Add USB or Serial printers

Once the Hub is connected and your device is paired, register USB and Serial printers:

  Plug the USB printer (or connect the Serial cable) into the **Hub computer** and turn it on.
  In the mobile app, open **Configurations → Printers** and tap **Add Printer**.
  Select **USB** or **Serial** as the connection type.
  
    Tap **Discover USB Printers** (or enter the Serial device path manually). The Hub scans for connected printers and returns each device's name, Vendor ID, and Product ID.
  
  Select your printer — the connection fields fill in automatically. Give it a name, choose paper width, and tap **Save**.
  Open the printer detail page and tap **Test Print**. The test page prints directly through the Hub.

You can also discover and register printers from the Hub itself (**Hub → Printers → Discover → Register**). For the full walk-through, see [Adding Printers on the Hub](/docs/hub/adding-printers) and [Connecting a Printer](/docs/app/printer/connecting-a-printer).

## Verify the Hub is reachable

To confirm the Hub is alive without using the app, open this in a browser on any computer on the same network (replace `192.168.1.10` with the Hub computer's IP):

```
https://192.168.1.10:18443/health
```

The Hub uses a **self-signed certificate**, so your browser shows a one-time security warning the first time — that's expected on a local device. After you continue, you should see a small `{ "status": "ok" }` response. From a terminal, use `curl -k https://192.168.1.10:18443/health` (the `-k` skips the self-signed-cert check).

## Common questions

**Is the LAN Bridge a separate program?**
No — it's part of the Fuze Store Hub. Installing the Hub installs the bridge.

**Can the Hub run on the same computer as the Fuze Store browser app?**
Yes. The browser app pairs with the Hub the same way a phone does (see [Pairing the Browser App](/docs/hub/pairing-browser-app)).

**Can multiple POS devices share one Hub?**
Yes — that's the recommended setup. One Hub per store, with every tablet and counter paired to it.

**Does the Hub need internet?**
No, not for printing. Printing flows over your local Wi-Fi. The Hub uses the internet only for plan/add-on updates, optional Kitchen Display cloud sync, and automatic updates. If the internet drops, local printing keeps working.

Each paired device has its **own** session key — there's no shared password. If a device is lost or stolen, revoke just that device in **Hub → Settings → Network → Pair the browser** without disturbing the others.

## Related guides

- [Printers Overview](/docs/app/printer/overview)
- [Connecting a Printer](/docs/app/printer/connecting-a-printer)
- [Installing Fuze Store Hub](/docs/hub/installing-fuze-store-hub)
- [Adding Printers on the Hub](/docs/hub/adding-printers)
- [Print Queue & Status](/docs/app/printer/print-queue-and-status)
- [Troubleshooting](/docs/app/printer/troubleshooting)