PPU Helper needs to be added as a Windows Firewall Exception or Windows Firewall needs to be disabled when using PPU Helper and PPU Kiosk for the applications to successfully transfer data to one another.
Use this tutorial to learn the basic steps to apply PPU Helper as a Windows Firewall Exception, as well as how to fully disable your firewall, followed by a more advanced section to learn how to manually create a permanent firewall exception for PPU.
Windows Firewall only has to be disabled on the Helper PC, and does not need to be disabled on any connected Kiosk PCs or iPads. If you have an antivirus program like McAfee, your firewall is likely managed by that software and this tutorial will not help. You will have to consult the help topics of your antivirus program to learn how to turn off your firewall.
If there is a firewall on your network, your Kiosks will not be able to connect, regardless if your Windows firewall is turned off or not.
NOTE: Recent updates to Windows 10 have changed the name of Windows Defender to Windows Security. Otherwise, the instructions below should still be functional.
Add Exception to Windows Firewall - During PPU Helper Install
The most simple way to configure your Firewall to allow the software to communicate with one another is by allowing PPU Helper to add it as an exception to Windows Firewall during the PPU Helper installation process. Please refer to our tutorial HERE for a step by step walk through.
Disabling Windows Firewall
Note: When Windows performs an update, it may automatically enable Windows Firewall. Please check your firewall settings after any Windows update.
1.
From the Windows desktop, click the Start button and type Windows Defender Firewall. Select Windows Defender Firewall from the search results (Do not select Windows Firewall with Advanced Security). Your PC should open a window that displays information similar to this:
If you see any GREEN then that means your firewall is on. Both Private and Guest or public networks need to be RED.
2.
From the options on the left, click Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off
3.
Now you see the following options:
4.
Select Turn off Windows Firewall (not recommended) for Private and Public networks. It should appear similar to this:
5.
Click OK at the bottom of the window and you'll be returned to a screen that appears like so:
If you see GREEN in any field, you'll need to disable the firewall for that network. If you see all RED (as pictured above) Congratulations, Windows Firewall is been disabled!
Please Note: If you continue to have connection issues, please continue with the following steps:
6.
Select Advanced Settings from the menu on the left. It appears like so:
7.
Under the Advanced section, select Windows Defender Firewall Properties
8.
On the Windows Defender Firewall Properties window, adjust the Firewall state to OFF then select Apply and OK.
9.
You're all set to reconnect that PPU Kiosk tablet!
Advanced
If you are proficient in Windows, and are comfortable setting Inbound and Outbound rules for your firewall, you can configure your firewall to always allow connections to PPU Helper. You'll never have to turn your firewall off again!
The relevant port used by PPU is TCP port 8888.
1.
From the Windows desktop, click the Start button and type Windows Firewall. Select Windows Firewall with Advanced Security from the search options. You should be presented with this window:
2.
We're going to create both an Inbound Rule and an Outbound Rule. Click Inbound Rules in the upper left corner:
3.
In the far right column under Actions, click New Rule...
4.
In the new window, select Port from the available options and click Next.
5.
Select TCP and Specific local ports. Input 8888 into the ports field, then click Next.
6.
Select Allow the connection and click Next.
7.
Make sure all options are checked and click Next.
8.
Name your firewall rule anything you like. I chose PPU_Inbound. You may also add a description of your rule, but that's unnecessary. Click Finish and your rule will be saved!
9.
You should see your new rule at the top of the list. Now we'll make a new Outbound rule. The procedure for Outbound rules is exactly the same as Inbound rules.
Start by clicking Outbound Rules, and then follow the same procedure as steps 3 through 8. The only difference is the name. I named my new Outbound rule PPU_Outbound.
That's it! Make sure you test the connection between a Kiosk and Helper. With these firewall rules, you should never have to worry about firewalls on your Helper PC ever again.