Usage Notes

Wireless Workstation Connect 1.0

PAGE UPDATED: Nov. 3, 2025

For the purposes of this guide, the terms "dock" and "undock" also apply to "connect" and "disconnect" for ZWC connections made wirelessly.

General Usage

  • The "host name" of receiving devices must include ONLY alphanumeric characters.
  • Wireless connections automatically terminate if either device enters sleep or suspend mode.
  • App windows on a ZWC Desktop can be resized only by dragging from the corners; edge-dragging is not supported with wireless connections.
  • When casting, Zebra recommends dimming the display on the sending unit to help conserve battery power.
  • The Zebra ZEC500 does not support Options 2, 3 or 4 of the "Reduced Settings" available through Zebra Access Manager.
  • When attempting to install an app from Google Play, some apps—such as those requiring a microphone—display the message: "This app won't work for your device." If such an app is required, it must be installed from outside the Google Play infrastructure.
  • By default, the ZEC500 is configured with peer-to-peer networking disabled; P2P must be enabled for casting.
  • Before a casting connection can be established, the receiving unit must be powered on and NOT in a suspended state.
  • Casting requires DHCP option 119 to be enabled.
  • Swapping batteries while casting might cause the connection to drop, requiring manual reconnection.
  • Action on External Monitor Requires Reinitialization: When scrolling up or down from the bottom of ZWC launcher screen, the ZEC500 device screen appears on the connected external monitor. Performing any action on the external monitor disconnects the wireless session, requiring reinitialization. This behavior occurs in both Desktop and Mirror mode.

Audio/Video

  • Media output selection is not supported for wireless connections; changes made for output in the Audio Settings panel are ignored.
  • Screen saver videos must be 3840 x 2160 or 1920 x 1080 for full-screen display. Other resolutions might appear cropped.
  • The screen saver supports only .mp4 format for video.
  • If using an external monitor via DisplayPort over USB-C for casting connections, Zebra recommends setting the Android screen lock to "None" to prevent sender lock-out. This issue does not apply to HDMI monitor connections.

See Zebra Workstation Connect section for more audio/video notes.

Auto-dis/connect

  • The automatic connect/disconnect feature requires purchase of an MDNA Enterprise License for Zebra Professional Series devices.
  • Operation of the auto connect/disconnect feature:
    • Requires "Bluetooth Scanning" to be enabled.
    • Is activated by the distance selected in the WCC UI on the device.

Managed Configurations

  • When remotely deploying managed configurations, the option to apply changes "immediately" is not supported when using ZWC with a wireless connection. Changes administered through an EMM system take effect the next time the device connects.
  • Managed configurations deployed to a casting device (sender) are applied only on accessories such as USB or Bluetooth headsets connected to the device.
  • To apply MC settings to the sending device itself, any active wireless ZWC session must be disconnected first.
  • Managed configurations sent to a ZEC500-series device (receiver) are applied only on that receiving device, not to its connected peripherals, if any.

Power Sourcing

  • The detection and discovery of the PoE power class (4, 6 or 8) occurs during ZEC500 boot-up process.
  • A flashing red-green LED indicates the device has not detected a suitable power class (min. = class 4).
  • See the Product Reference Guide for compatible Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE).
  • Zebra recommends fully testing PoE with minimum Cat5e RJ45 cabling before full deployment to ensure PoE equipment compatibility.
  • Qualified cable installers should be used at each site to ensure compliance with TIA 586.2-D specifications.

Remote Support, VPN

  • Use of a VPN requires support for split tunneling or an exclusion for P2P networking.
  • Initiating a remote control session...
    • With a sender disconnects any in-progress wireless connection previously established by that sender, and otherwise operates normally.
    • With a receiver currently hosting a wireless connection shows the content (discrete Desktop or mirror of sender) being displayed by that receiver.

Zebra Workstation Connect

  • Devices must be undocked from Zebra Workstation Connect cradles before initiating a wireless casting session.
  • Devices must disconnect from a wireless casting session before docking in a ZWC cradle.
  • Changing Desktop resolution is not supported with wireless connections.
  • When a USB headset is connected to the wireless-connection host, the ZWC Audio Settings panel does not display other connected audio peripherals.
  • Switching from Mirror to Desktop Mode is not supported through Wireless Connect 1.0. An administrator can change the default mode using Zebra Display Manager.

Default Power Settings

The table below reflects the default settings for each of the power scenarios supported by the Zebra ZEC500, followed by the corresponding JSON files.

ZEC500 default power settings. See device image below for port labels.

* Powering with USB-C and/or PoE is supported only on ZEC500-P model.

JSON Files

Sample JSON files are provided for information purposes only; files should not be edited and/or deployed manually. For changing default power settings, Zebra recommends using only its (forthcoming) power management utility to generate the required settings files for deployment to devices.

DC Power

Settings when DC power is supplied through a AC adapter:


{
    "DC": {
        "wifi": "true",
        "bluetooth": "true",
        "nfc": "true",
        "ethernet": "true",
        "ioboardusb": "true",
        "usb1": "true",
        "usb2": "true",
        "usbA": "true",
        "usbCback": "true"
    }
}


USB Power Delivery - 60W

Settings when power is supplied by a 60-watt outside source through the USB-C port:


{
    "USBPD60W": {
        "wifi": "true",
        "bluetooth": "true",
        "nfc": "true",
        "ethernet": "true",
        "ioboardusb": "true",
        "usb1": "true",
        "usb2": "true",
        "usbA": "true",
        "usbCback": "false"
    }
}


USB Power Delivery - 45W

Settings when power is supplied by a 45-watt outside source through the USB-C port:


{
    "USBPD45W": {
        "wifi": "true",
        "bluetooth": "true",
        "nfc": "true",
        "ethernet": "true",
        "ioboardusb": "true",
        "usb1": "true",
        "usb2": "true",
        "usbA": "true",
        "usbCback": "false"
    }
}


USB Power Delivery - 27W

Settings when power is supplied by a 27-watt outside source through the USB-C port:


{
    "USBPD27W": {
        "wifi": "true",
        "bluetooth": "true",
        "nfc": "true",
        "ethernet": "true",
        "ioboardusb": "true",
        "usb1": "false",
        "usb2": "false",
        "usbA": "false",
        "usbCback": "false"
    }
}


PoE Class 8

Settings when power is supplied by Power over Ethernet Class 8:


{
    "class8": {
        "wifi": "true",
        "bluetooth": "true",
        "nfc": "true",
        "ethernet": "true",
        "ioboardusb": "true",
        "usb1": "true",
        "usb2": "true",
        "usbA": "true",
        "usbCback": "true"
    }
}


PoE Class 6

Settings when power is supplied by Power over Ethernet Class 6:


{
    "class6": {
        "wifi": "true",
        "bluetooth": "true",
        "nfc": "true",
        "ethernet": "true",
        "ioboardusb": "true",
        "usb1": "true",
        "usb2": "true",
        "usbA": "true",
        "usbCback": "true"
    }
}


PoE Class 4

Settings when power is supplied by Power over Ethernet Class 4:


{
    "class4": {
        "wifi": "true",
        "bluetooth": "true",
        "nfc": "true",
        "ethernet": "true",
        "ioboardusb": "true",
        "usb1": "false",
        "usb2": "false",
        "usbA": "false",
        "usbCback": "false"
    }
}


Values, Port Names

  • true - Supplies power to the named peripheral
  • false - Cuts power the the named peripheral
  • wifi - Wi-Fi radio, must be enabled for use with WWC app
  • bluetooth - Bluetooth radio, must be enabled for auto-dis/connect features
  • nfc - Near-field Communication radio, must be enabled for "Tap-to-pair" functionality
  • ethernet - Wired Ethernet, must be enabled for PoE
  • ioboardusb - USB Type-A port on front of unit
  • usb1 - See "usbA"
  • usb2 - See "usbA"
  • usbA - Controls both USB Type-A ports on the rear of the unit †
  • usbCback - USB Type-C port on front of unit; used for data OR to power the unit*

† Pre-release versions of the device allowed ports "usb1" and "usb2" to be individually controlled; these labels are no longer in use.

* Powering with USB-C and PoE are supported only on ZEC500-P.


Also See