SIP2 setup instructions

Step 1: Give the device a unique external IP address

Give the device a unique external IP address or set a username and password if it is using a switch (NAT). Ideally, each device or service will have its own unique external IP address or several static IP addresses that can be set.

The IP address must be an external IPv4 address that can communicate with OCLC's SIP2 servers.  It can not start with 192.168  as these are always Internal IP addresses.

WMS's SIP2 will work with Network Address Translation (NAT), where multiple devices will use the same external address, but you must give each device a username and password. This helps WMS identify which device the transactions are coming from.  When setting up a service, set up each branch with a different username and password to track the activity of branches.

Step 2: Decide if you will use an encrypted or unenecrypted SIP2 connection

By default, SIP2 sends its messages as plain text over the Internet, which means they can be easily intercepted and read.

OCLC recommends encrypting your SIP2 connection, so all the information exchanged is secure.

• For encrypted connections: install SSL tunneling software on your device. A suitable candidate is Stunnel. Work with your IT department or vendor to install it.
  • Note that our SIP2 servers do not require an SSL certificate to be added. They use IP Address recognition to authenticate the SIP connection. A program like stunnel is only used to secure the communication between the device and OCLC servers.  If using Stunnel, it must also be installed on the Vendor's end.
    •  Note: OCLC cannot support or assist with troubleshooting issues if you are using stunnel software for SIP2 connections. Work with your IT department or vendor to install and troubleshoot the SSL tunnelling software. 
• For unencrypted connections: OCLC will ask you to sign a waiver in case any of your patrons' personal information is intercepted. Please contact OCLC Support to discuss this option.

Step 3: Configure your SIP2 Connection

Configure your SIP2 Connection via the Integrations module in OCLC Service Configuration using the SIP2 Configuration page. 

The SIP2 Connection settings determine how SIP2 devices will interact with WMS, including which messages are accepted, what sort of information WMS will send, and how items are to be sorted by automatic sorting machines.

These settings are configured at the branch level. All SIP2 devices at that branch will use the same settings.

Follow the instructions on the SIP2 Configuration page.

Step 4: Configure the SIP2 IP Address

Configure your SIP2 Address via the Integrations module in OCLC Service Configuration using the SIP2 IP Address page. 

The SIP2 IP Address settings tell WMS which IP address to accept communication from. You can also set the device's username and password here.

 Note: This username and password is only for SIP2. It is completely separate from WMS accounts.

Follow the instructions on the SIP2 IP Address page.

Step 5: (Optional) Configure the SIP2 Custom Messages

Optionally configure your SIP2 Custom Messages if setting up a device via the Integrations module in OCLC Service Configuration using the SIP2 Custom Messages page. 

The SIP2 Custom Messages page lets you customise the messages displayed to the device's user when certain events happen. You can also provide those messages in multiple languages.

• This step is optional. If you do not change the SIP2 Custom Messages, the default messages will be used.

Follow the instructions on the SIP2 Custom Messages page.

Step 6: Add the hostname and port for OCLC's SIP2 server to your device

Contact OCLC Support to confirm which hostname you should use, as it depends on which data center your WMS instance is set up in.

 Note:  OCLC recommends that you use the hostname rather than the IP address, in case the IP address changes. The IP address will work if your system does not support hostnames.

Whether you use the unencrypted port number or the encrypted port number depends on whether you set up SSL tunneling in Step 2 above.

Step 7: Ensure the Date/Timestamp is in the correct format for your region

The Date/Timestamp format is controlled by the language set by the vendor, either in a configuration file or on the device's console itself.

1. The language needs to be set for the device. If left unset, it will default to Language unknown  000 
2.  If set to English 001 (US English), the format will be:  MM/DD/YYYY
3. If the DD/MM/YYYY date format is required, then that language code must be set instead. 

   •  Note: If DD/MM/YYYY is required and English is the spoken language, either leave it set to 000  but ensure you have your Worldcat Registry > Currency and Locale set to the correct locale and language (Australia/English) OR set the language & select 024 (United Kingdom) to force the correct date format for region DD/MM/YYYY.

4.  If the Language Code is unknown, it can be found in the 3M  Standard Interchange Protocol Manual online or contact OCLC Support for the required language code.

Step 8: Test your device/service

Once the device is configured, test it. Try placing a check-in /check-out or try to connect to the service (for example, Overdrive, Kanopy, or Hoopla).

If the test does not work, contact OCLC Support. To help us troubleshoot the problem, include as much of this information as possible:

1. What is the institution's name, OCLC symbol, and branch? SIP2 is configured by branch.
2. What is the exact make, model, and IP address of the SIP2 device?
3. What is the error message or problem? Can we get a screenshot from the device?
4. What were the exact actions that caused the problem?
5. What date and time did the problem happen? This helps us check our log files.
6. Is there a log file from the SIP2 device? Please send it to us.