About Command Line Utility (CLU) for Linux

Overview

The CLU (Command Line Utility) is an executable that enables Linux users to manage scanners from a terminal prompt or shell/bash script. The CLU provides features including asset information, firmware update, configuration update, query/set/store of parameter values and query of scanner statistics.

Supported Devices

For the compatible devices list, please visit following page.

https://www.zebra.com/ap/en/support-downloads/software/scanner-software/scanner-sdk-for-linux.html

Supported Linux Distributions

Command Line Utility (CLU) for Linux latest versions supporting following distributions.

Figure 1: Supported Distributions for Command Line Utility for Linux

Version History

Version 1.0.0-16 - 10/2025

  1. Implement option to output command result in XML format.

Version 1.0.0-14 - 07/2025

  1. Bug Fix - Fixed the functionality with GetAttribute, SetAttribute and StoreAttribute commands that do not work as expected when the Attribute ID is not available in the scanner.
  2. Bug Fix - Fixed the functionality with GetAttribute, SetAttribute, StoreAttribute, Switch* and FirmwareUpdate commands to support multiple scanners and '*' wildcard
  3. Bug Fix - Corrected error code returned from 502 to 246, when firmware file is not given during firmware update command execution.

Version 1.0.0-10 - 02/2025

  1. Added new command “topology” which returns the topology of devices that are connected to the system.
  2. Added new command “getallattributes” which returns all attributes supported by a given scanner.
  3. Enhanced switch host mode commands to support temporary host mode switching.

Version 1.0.0-7 - 07/2024

  1. Enhanced query of asset information (the “assetinfo” command). It now includes the “configuration name” as an output.
  2. Enhanced CLU to support command execution by scanner ID. When a CLU command is executed, either model name or scanner ID can be used to filter the applicable scanners.

Version 1.0.0-6 - 04/2024

  1. Added the command “assetinfo” to retrieve asset information. It returns host mode, serial number, firmware version and date of manufacture selected devices.
  2. Added support for returning error/status codes for the executed CLU commands.

Version 1.0.0-4 - 10/2023

  1. Bug Fix - Resolved a firmware update failure in IBMHID and IBMTT modes, seen with particular versions of scanner firmware.

Version 1.0.0-2 - 07/2023

  1. Bug Fix - Addressed memory allocation issue with “reboot” and “getattribute” commands.

Version 1.0.0-0 - 04/2023

  1. Command Line Utility (CLU) - Initial release. This utility provides scripting control of Zebra scanner. Supported functionality includes:
    1. Reboot of a scanner.
    2. Parameter Control
      1. Param Get & Set
      2. 123Scan config file consumption
    3. Firmware update

Installation and Configuration

Prerequisites

  1. CoreScanner must be installed on each host PC. Please refer to CoreScanner Installers.
  2. After downloading the CLU from the Zebra Support website, add the execution permission to the utility: 
    
$ sudo chmod +x CLU
  3. Third Party Software Libraries.

    Table 1: Minimum Software Requirements for CoreScanner Installation

    Library / Technology Version Limitation
    C++ 98 and 11 standards compatibilities
    Libudev 147 or above

Scanner Device Communication Modes Vs. Capabilities

Table 2: Device Communication Modes

USB interface protocol Supported CLU Features commands
USB SNAPI All
USB IBM Table-top All**
USB IBM Handheld All**
USB HID Keyboard Switchhost*

** Firmware update and configuration load are slower in IBM modes compared to USB SNAPI.

* Only the switchhost command is supported in HIDKB mode. Once switched to SNAPI or IBM, all features are supported.

If your application requires data in HIDKB format, enable the Simulated HID Keyboard Output feature in Zebra CoreScanner for Linux.

Simulated HID Keyboard Output allows scanners in USB-SNAPI, USB-IBM Table-top, USB-IBM Handheld, USB-OPOS or SSI mode to emulate HID Keyboard keystrokes to a host system. It sends the content of the scanned barcode as HID Keyboard keystrokes thus emulating USB-HIDKB scanner mode while continuing to operate in a bi-directional protocol needed to support the CLU.

NOTE: For a list of a scanner's supported attribute (parameter) numbers and definitions, refer to the Product Reference Guide for that scanner model, available from the Zebra Support website at http://www.zebra.com/support. Attributes include configuration parameters, monitored data, and asset tracking information.

References

Basic Usage Description

CLU status ID/return code values can be obtained by using the command 'returnvalues'.


./CLU returnvalues

CLU connected device(s) topology can be obtained by using the command 'topology'.


./CLU topology

CLU device filtering is done by using either the -model or -id switch.


./CLU -model <model-filter> <command>
./CLU -id <id-filter> <command>

CLU outputs can be retrieved in XML format by passing 'xml' as an argument at the end of the regular CLU command. This is an optional argument only applicable to the following commands:

  • topology
  • list
  • assetinfo
  • getattribute
  • getallattributes

./CLU -model <model-filter> <command> xml
./CLU -id <id-filter> <command> xml

Description: Execute the specified command on all connected scanners that match the Model or Corescanner ID filtering criteria.

Model / ID filtering options are:
   Full model name - Ex: -model "DS8178-SR0F007ZZWW"
   Scanner ID - Ex: -id "1"
   Wild cards with leading string - Ex: -model "DS81*"
   Wild card only (all scanners) - Ex: -model "\*"
   Comma separated multiple strings - Ex: -model "DS81*,MP7*"
   Comma separated multiple strings - Ex: -id "1,3,4"

Supported CLU command options (performed on scanners that match the filter criteria):

  • list - List connected scanners.
  • reboot - Reboot scanner.
  • assetinfo - Output scanner type, model number, firmware version, serial number and date of manufacture.
  • resetscale - If present, reset the scale.
  • switchsnapi - Perform permanent switch of the scanner to 'USB-SNAPI with Imaging' host mode.
  • switchsnapi temporary - Perform temporary switch of the scanner to 'USB-SNAPI with Imaging' host mode.
  • switchibmhid - Perform permanent switch of the scanner to USB-IBMHID host mode.
  • switchibmtt - Perform permanent switch of the scanner to USB-IBMTableTop host mode.
  • updateconfig filepath - Update scanner configuration using a 123Scan configuration file. The configuration file path must be inside double quotes.
  • setattribute attribute_id,data_type,attribute_value - Set attribute values temporarily in the scanner. Values must be comma-separated inside double quotes.
  • storeattribute attribute_id,data_type,attribute_value - Store attribute values persistently in the scanner. Values must be comma-separated inside double quotes.
  • getattribute attribute_id - Retrieves the data type and the value of the attribute ID. Multiple attribute_ids can be queried using a comma-separated list.
  • getallattributes - Retrieves all attribute_ids of the scanner.
  • updatefirmware filepath - Update scanner firmware using a DAT file. File path must be inside double quoptesp.
  • updatefirmware filepath debug - Update scanner firmware using a DAT file with update event notifications. File path must be inside double quotes.
  • updatefirmwarefromplugin filepath - Update scanner firmware using a 123Scan plugin file. File path must be inside double quotes.
  • updatefirmwarefromplugin filepath debug - Update scanner firmware using a 123Scan plugin file with update event notifications. File path must be inside double quotes.

Examples of Commands

returnvalues
Description Obtain CLU status ID mapping / return status values.
Example 

./CLU returnvalues
Samples 

$ ./CLU returnvalues

Status ID mappings
Value  Description

0     Generic Success
1     Generic Error
4     Device not available
7     Response timed out for the command
8     Partial success
44    Invalid InXML
88    The Software componenet is already resident in the scanner
89    Invalid configuration file
90    Configuration file is incompatible
91    Syntax validation of configuration file is failed
101   Required Comm Lib is unavailable to support the requested type
104   Incorrect Buffer size
107   Invalid argument
108   Invalid scanner ID
109   Incorrect value for number of Event IDs
110   Event IDs are duplicated
111   Invalid value for Event ID
112   Required device is unavailable
113   Opcode is invalid
114   Invalid value for Type
115   Opcode does not support asynchronous method
116   Device does not support the Opcode
117   Operation failed in device
118   Request failed in corescanner
119   Operation is not supported for auxiliary scanners
120   Device busy
150   CDC scanners not found
151   Unable to open CDC comm port
200   Corescanner is already opened
201   Corescanner is already closed
202   Corescanner is closed
244   Invalid firmware file
245   FW update failed in scanner
246   Failed to read DAT file
247   Firmware update is in progress
248   Firmware update is already aborted
249   Firmware update is aborted
250   Scanner is detached while updating the firmware
list
Description Lists the connected scanners that match the filter criteria.
Example 

./CLU -id "1" list
./CLU -id ",3" list
./CLU -model "MP7*" list
./CLU -model "MP7*, DS81*" list
Samples 

$ ./CLU -id "1" list
Matching scanner list :
    MP7200-MNDLL000WW        id : 1
reboot
Description Reboots the scanner.
Example 

./CLU -model "MP7*" reboot
./CLU -model "MP7*,DS81*" reboot
./CLU -id "1" reboot
./CLU -id "1,3" reboot
Samples 

$ ./CLU -id "1" reboot
    Rebooting MP7200-MNDLL000WW scanner.
assetinfo
Description Output scanner type, model number, firmware version, serial number and date of manufacture.
Example 

./CLU -model "MP72*" assetinfo
./CLU -model "MP72*,DS81*" assetinfo
./CLU -id "1" assetinfo
./CLU -id "1,3" assetinfo
Samples 

$ ./CLU -id "1" assetinfo
<scanners><scanner><id>1</id><model>MP7200-MNDLL000WW</model><type>SNAPI</type><firmware>PAAFES00-003-R00</firmware><serialnumber>23346444552153</serialnumber><DoM>14DEC23</DoM><configname>SNAPI_JS</configname></scanner></scanners>
topology
Description Obtains the device topology.
Example 

./CLU topology
Samples 

$ ./CLU topology
================================
Get Device Topology command success.
 
Out XML : <outArgs><arg-xml><scanners><scanner type="SNAPI"><scannerID>1</scannerID><serialnumber>23346444552153  </serialnumber><GUID>23346444552153</GUID><VID>05e0</VID><PID>1900</PID><modelnumber>MP7200-MNDLL000WW </modelnumber><DoM>14DEC23</DoM><firmware>PAAFES00-003-R00  </firmware><configname>SNAPI_JS</configname></scanner></scanners></arg-xml></outArgs>
================================
resetscale
Description If present, reset the scale.
Example 

$ ./CLU -id “1” resetscale
Samples 

$ ./CLU -model “MP*” resetscale
Resetting scale of MP7001-LNS0C00US scanner.
switchsnapi temporary
Description Perform temporary switch of the scanner to 'USB-SNAPI with Imaging' host mode.
Example 

./CLU -model "MP7*" switchsnapi temporary
./CLU -model "DS81*,MP7*" switchsnapi temporary
./CLU -id "1" switchsnapi temporary
./CLU -id "1,3" switchsnapi temporary
Samples 

$ ./CLU -model “MP*,CR*” switchsnapi temporary
Switching MP7001-LNS0C00US scanner to SNAPI host mode.
Switching CR8178-PC100F4WW scanner to SNAPI host mode.
switchsnapi
Description Performs persistent switch of the scanner to 'USB-SNAPI with Imaging' host mode.
Example 

./CLU -model "MP7*" switchsnapi
./CLU -model "DS81*,MP7*" switchsnapi
./CLU -id "1" switchsnapi
./CLU -id "1,3" switchsnapi
Samples 

$ ./CLU -model “MP*,CR*” switchsnapi
Switching MP7001-LNS0C00US scanner to SNAPI host mode.
Switching CR8178-PC100F4WW scanner to SNAPI host mode.
switchibmhid
Description Perform persistent switch of the scanner to USB-IBMHID host mode.
Example 

./CLU -model "MP7*" switchibmhid
./CLU -model "DS81*,MP7*" switchibmhid
./CLU -id "1" switchibmhid
./CLU -id "1,3" switchibmhid
Samples 

$ ./CLU -model “CR*” switchibmhid
Switching CR8178-PC100F4WW scanner to IBMHID host mode.
switchibmtt
Description Perform persistent switch of the scanner to USB-IBMTableTop host mode.
Example 

./CLU -model "MP7*" switchibmtt
./CLU -model "DS81*,MP7*" switchibmtt
./CLU -id "1" switchibmtt
./CLU -id "1,3" switchibmtt
Samples 

$ ./CLU -model “MP*” switchibmtt
Switching MP7001-LNS0C00US scanner to IBMTableTop host mode.
getallattributes
Description Retrieves all attribute_ids of the scanner.
Example 

./CLU -id "1" getallattributes
Samples 

$ ./CLU -id "1" getallattributes > /home/admin/Temp/MP72_attributes_all.txt
getattribute
Description Retrieves the data type and the value of the attribute ID. Multiple attribute_ids can be queried using a comma-separated list.
Example 

./CLU -id "1" getattribute "1,3,4,6"
Sample 1: specific attribute 

$ ./CLU -id "1" getattribute "616"
Attribute ID:616. Data Type:S. Value:SNAPI_JS
Sample 2: list of attributes 

$ ./CLU -id "1" getattribute "1,3,4,6"
Attribute ID:1. Data Type:F. Value:True
Attribute ID:3. Data Type:F. Value:True
Attribute ID:4. Data Type:F. Value:True
Attribute ID:6. Data Type:F. Value:True
setattribute
Description Sets attribute values temporarily in the scanner. Values for attribute_id, data_type and attribute_value must be comma-separated inside double quotes.
Example 

./CLU -id "1" setattribute "28,B,10"
Sample (only set, not stored, lost after a reboot) 

$ ./CLU -id "1" setattribute "616,S,SNAPI_JS"
set attribute for MP7200-MNDLL000WW ,Attribute ID:616
SetAttribute command success.
storeattribute
Description Stores attribute values persistently in the scanner. Values for attribute_id, data_type and attribute_value must be comma-separated inside double quotes.
Example 

./CLU -model "DS81*" storeattribute "28,B,10"
Sample (stored permanently, even after a reboot) 

$ ./CLU -id "1" storeattribute "616,S,DS81_FRONTEND"
store attribute for MP7200-MNDLL000WW ,Attribute ID:616
StoreAttribute command success.
updateconfig filepath
Description Updates the scanner configuration using a 123Scan configuration file. The configuration absolute file path must be inside double quotes.
Example 

./CLU -model "MP72*" updateconfig "/home/ConfigFile.scncfg"
./CLU -id "1" updateconfig "/home/ConfigFile.scncfg"
Samples 

$ ./CLU -id "1" updateconfig "/home/admin/Temp/ConfigFile_MP7200_SCO.scncfg"
Configuration update for MP7200-MNDLL000WW
configuration update success.
updatefirmware filepath
Description Updates the scanner firmware using a DAT file. Absolute file path must be inside double quotes.
Example 

./CLU -model "MP72*" updatefirmware "/home/firmwarefile.dat"
./CLU -id "1" updatefirmware "/home/firmwarefile.dat"
Samples 

$ ./CLU -id "1" updatefirmware /home/admin/Temp/Firmware/CAAFES00-003-R04D0.DAT
firmware update started for MP7200-MNDLL000WW
Please Wait.......
Scanner rebooting..
Firmware update process completed.
updatefirmware filepath debug
Description Updates the scanner firmware using a DAT file with update event notifications. Absolute file path must be inside double quotes.
Example 

./CLU -model "MP72*" updatefirmware "/home/firmwarefile.dat" debug
./CLU -id "1" updatefirmware "/home/firmwarefile.dat" debug
Samples 

$ ./CLU -model "MP7001*" updatefirmware /home/admin/temp/ CAADGS00-006-R02D0.DAT debug 
firmware update started for MP7001-LNS0C00US 
Please Wait....... 
Scanner ID: 1 
Model Number: MP7001-LNS0C00US
Serial Number: 20175010559536
Firmware Version: PAADGS00-006-R01 
 
Out XML 
<outArgs><scannerID>1</scannerID><arg-xml><sess_start><modelnumber>MP7001-LNS0C00US  </modelnumber><serialnumber>20175010559536  </serialnumber><GUID>20175010559536</GUID><maxcount>20698</maxcount><status>0</status></sess_start></arg-xml></outArgs>
Out XML 
<outArgs><scannerID>1</scannerID><arg-xml><dl_start><modelnumber>MP7001-LNS0C00US  </modelnumber><serialnumber>20175010559536  </serialnumber><GUID>20175010559536</GUID><software_component>1</software_component><status>1</status></dl_start></arg-xml></outArgs>
.
.
.
Out XML 
<outArgs><scannerID>1</scannerID><arg-xml><dl_end><modelnumber>MP7001-LNS0C00US  </modelnumber><serialnumber>20175010559536  </serialnumber><GUID>20175010559536</GUID><software_component>2</software_component><size>0</size><status>0</status></dl_end></arg-xml></outArgs>
Out XML 
<outArgs><scannerID>1</scannerID><arg-xml><sess_end><modelnumber>MP7001-LNS0C00US  </modelnumber><serialnumber>20175010559536  </serialnumber><GUID>20175010559536</GUID><status>0</status></sess_end></arg-xml></outArgs>
Scanner rebooting...
Scanner MP7001-LNS0C00US   20175010559536   Detached.
Scanner MP7001-LNS0C00US   20175010559536   Attached.
Scanner ID: 1
Model Number: MP7001-LNS0C00US  
Serial Number: 20175010559536  
Firmware Version: PAADGS00-006-R02  
Firmware update process completed.
updatefirmwarefromplugin filepath
Description Updates the scanner firmware using a 123Scan plugin file. Absolute file path must be inside double quotes.
Example 

./CLU -model "MP72*" updatefirmware "/home/pluginfile.scnplg"
./CLU -id "1" updatefirmware "/home/pluginfile.scnplg"
Samples 

$ ./CLU -id "1" updatefirmwarefromplugin /home/admin/Temp/Plugins/MP7200-COMMON-SR-MODELS-B-006.SCNPLG
firmware update from plugin file started for MP7200-MNDLL000WW
Please Wait.......
Scanner rebooting..
Firmware update process completed.
updatefirmwarefromplugin filepath debug
Description Updates the scanner firmware using a 123Scan plugin file with update event notifications. Absolute file path must be inside double quotes.
Example 

./CLU -model "MP72*" updatefirmware "/home/pluginfile.scnplg" debug
./CLU -id "1" updatefirmware "/home/pluginfile.scnplg" debug
Samples 

$ ./CLU -model "MP7001*" updatefirmwarefromplugin /home/admin/MP7001-COMMON-SR-MODELS-S-040.SCNPLG debug
firmware update from plugin file started for MP7001-LNS0C00US
Please Wait.......
Scanner ID: 1
Model Number: MP7001-LNS0C00US  
Serial Number: 20175010559536  
Firmware Version: PAADGS00-006-R00  
 
Out XML 
<outArgs><scannerID>1</scannerID><arg-xml><sess_start><modelnumber>MP7001-LNS0C00US  </modelnumber><serialnumber>20175010559536  </serialnumber><GUID>20175010559536</GUID><maxcount>21268</maxcount><status>0</status></sess_start></arg-xml></outArgs>
Out XML 
<outArgs><scannerID>1</scannerID><arg-xml><dl_start><modelnumber>MP7001-LNS0C00US  </modelnumber><serialnumber>20175010559536  </serialnumber><GUID>20175010559536</GUID><software_component>1</software_component><status>1</status></dl_start></arg-xml></outArgs>
.
.
.
Out XML 
<outArgs><scannerID>1</scannerID><arg-xml><dl_end><modelnumber>MP7001-LNS0C00US  </modelnumber><serialnumber>20175010559536  </serialnumber><GUID>20175010559536</GUID><software_component>2</software_component><size>0</size><status>0</status></dl_end></arg-xml></outArgs>
Out XML 
<outArgs><scannerID>1</scannerID><arg-xml><sess_end><modelnumber>MP7001-LNS0C00US  </modelnumber><serialnumber>20175010559536  </serialnumber><GUID>20175010559536</GUID><status>0</status></sess_end></arg-xml></outArgs>
 
Scanner rebooting...
Scanner MP7001-LNS0C00US   20175010559536   Detached.
Scanner MP7001-LNS0C00US   20175010559536   Attached.
Scanner ID: 1
Model Number: MP7001-LNS0C00US  
Serial Number: 20175010559536  
Firmware Version: PAADGS00-006-R02  
Firmware update process completed.
<regular_clu_command> xml
Description Retrieve CLU outputs in XML format.
Example 

./CLU topology xml
./CLU -id "1" list xml
./CLU -id "1" assetinfo xml
./CLU -id "1" getattribute 1005 xml
./CLU -id "1" getallattributes xml
Sample 01 

./CLU topology xml
================================
<outArgs><arg-xml><scanners><scanner type="SNAPI"><scannerID>1</scannerID><serialnumber>18282523080822  </serialnumber><GUID>18282523080822</GUID><VID>05e0</VID><PID>1900</PID><modelnumber>DS9908-SR00004ZZWW</modelnumber><DoM>09OCT18</DoM><firmware>PAAECS00-004-R01  </firmware><configname>Modified        </configname></scanner></scanners></arg-xml></outArgs>
================================
Sample 02 

./CLU -id "1" list xml
<scanners><scanner type="SNAPI"><scannerID>1</scannerID><serialnumber>18282523080822  </serialnumber><GUID>18282523080822</GUID><VID>05e0</VID><PID>1900</PID><modelnumber>DS9908-SR00004ZZWW</modelnumber><DoM>09OCT18</DoM><firmware>PAAECS00-004-R01  </firmware><configname>Modified        </configname></scanner></scanners>
Sample 03 

./CLU -id "1"  assetinfo xml
<scanners><scanner type="SNAPI"><scannerID>1</scannerID><serialnumber>18282523080822  </serialnumber><GUID>18282523080822</GUID><VID>05e0</VID><PID>1900</PID><modelnumber>DS9908-SR00004ZZWW</modelnumber><DoM>09OCT18</DoM><firmware>PAAECS00-004-R01  </firmware><configname>Modified        </configname></scanner></scanners>
Sample 04 

./CLU -id "1" getattribute 1005 xml
<outArgs><scannerID>1</scannerID><arg-xml><response><opcode>5001</opcode><attrib_list><attribute><id>1005</id><name></name><datatype>B</datatype><permission>7</permission><value>255</value></attribute></attrib_list></response></arg-xml></outArgs>

Command Line Utility (CLU) for Linux

IMPORTANT: Zebra recommends using the latest release whenever possible.


To Download Command Line Utility (CLU) for Linux:

  1. Visit the Zebra Barcode Scanner SDK for Linux download page and select the desired download(s).
  2. Proceed to the Command Line Utility (CLU) for Linux release notes for the version details.