Black Box PI761A, PI761AE, PI752A, PI762A, PI752AE User Manual

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Order toll-free in the U.S. 24 hours, 7 A.M. Monday to midnight Friday: 877-877-BBOX FREE technical support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax 724-746-0746 Mail order: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018 Web site: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: info@blackbox.com

FEBRUARY 1998 PI750A PI750AE PI760A PI760AE PI751A PI751AE PI761A PI761AE PI752A PI752AE PI762A PI762AE PI754A PI754AE PI764A PI764AE PI755A PI755AE PI765A PI765AE PI756A PI756AE PI766A PI766AE

Multiport Spooler VIII (4/8/12-Port Models)

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

AND

INDUSTRY CANADA

RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENTS

This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, may cause interference to radio communication. It has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A computing device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause interference, in which case the user at his own expense will be required to take whatever measures may be necessary to correct the interference.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emission from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulation of Industry Canada.

Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites applicables aux appareils numériques de classe A prescrites dans le Règlement sur le brouillage radioélectrique publié par Industrie Canada.

FCC AND IC STATEMENTS

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

NORMAS OFICIALES MEXICANAS (NOM) ELECTRICAL SAFETY STATEMENT

INSTRUCCIONES DE SEGURIDAD

1. Todas las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser leídas antes de que el aparato eléctrico sea operado.

2. Las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser guardadas para referencia futura.

3. Todas las advertencias en el aparato eléctrico y en sus instrucciones de operación deben ser respetadas.

4. Todas las instrucciones de operación y uso deben ser seguidas.

5. El aparato eléctrico no deberá ser usado cerca del agua—por ejemplo, cerca de la tina de baño, lavabo, sótano mojado o cerca de una alberca, etc.

6. El aparato eléctrico debe ser usado únicamente con carritos o pedestales que sean recomendados por el fabricante.

7. El aparato eléctrico debe ser montado a la pared o al techo sólo como sea recomendado por el fabricante.

8. Servicio—El usuario no debe intentar dar servicio al equipo eléctrico más allá a lo descrito en las instrucciones de operación. Todo otro servicio deberá ser referido a personal de servicio calificado.

9. El aparato eléctrico debe ser situado de tal manera que su posición no interfiera su uso. La colocación del aparato eléctrico sobre una cama, sofá, alfombra o superficie similar puede bloquea la ventilación, no se debe colocar en libreros o gabinetes que impidan el flujo de aire por los orificios de ventilación.

10. El equipo eléctrico deber ser situado fuera del alcance de fuentes de calor como radiadores, registros de calor, estufas u otros aparatos (incluyendo amplificadores) que producen calor.

NOM STATEMENT

11. El aparato eléctrico deberá ser connectado a una fuente de poder sólo del tipo descrito en el instructivo de operación, o como se indique en el aparato.

12. Precaución debe ser tomada de tal manera que la tierra fisica y la polarización del equipo no sea eliminada.

13. Los cables de la fuente de poder deben ser guiados de tal manera que no sean pisados ni pellizcados por objetos colocados sobre o contra ellos, poniendo particular atención a los contactos y receptáculos donde salen del aparato.

14. El equipo eléctrico debe ser limpiado únicamente de acuerdo a las recomendaciones del fabricante.

15. En caso de existir, una antena externa deberá ser localizada lejos de las lineas de energia.

16. El cable de corriente deberá ser desconectado del cuando el equipo no sea usado por un largo periodo de tiempo.

17. Cuidado debe ser tomado de tal manera que objectos liquidos no sean derramados sobre la cubierta u orificios de ventilación.

18. Servicio por personal calificado deberá ser provisto cuando:

A: El cable de poder o el contacto ha sido dañado; u

B: Objectos han caído o líquido ha sido derramado dentro del

aparato; o

C: El aparato ha sido expuesto a la lluvia; o

D: El aparato parece no operar normalmente o muestra un cambio en

su desempeño; o

E: El aparato ha sido tirado o su cubierta ha sido dañada.

iii

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL

Apple and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. AutoCAD is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc. Hercules is a registered trademark of Hercules Computer Technology. AT, IBM, and PS/2 are registered trademarks, and PC/XT is a trademark,

of IBM Corporation.

Microsoft and MS-DOS are registered trademarks, and Windows is a

trademark, of Microsoft Corporation. Novell is a registered trademark of Novell Incorporated. WinFax is a registered trademark of Delrina Technology, Inc.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents

Chapter Page

1. Specifications ............................................................................................. 1

1.1 Requirements ...................................................................................... 1

1.2 Conformity .......................................................................................... 2

1.3 Input/Output Characteristics ........................................................... 2

1.4 Hardware Characteristics ................................................................... 3

2. Introduction ............................................................................................... 5

3. Hardware Installation ................................................................................ 6

3.1 System Requirements .......................................................................... 6

3.2 The Complete Multiport Spooler VIII .............................................. 6

3.3 Copying the Software Diskettes .......................................................... 7

3.4 Installing the Hardware ...................................................................... 7

3.5 Powering Up the System ..................................................................... 8

3.6 What To Do Next ................................................................................ 9

3.7 Using the MPSSETUP Program ....................................................... 11

4. Configuration ........................................................................................... 13

4.1 Do You Need to Configure the Multiport Spooler VIII? ................ 13

4.2 Starting the Configuration Program ............................................... 14

4.3 Defining the Command Port ........................................................... 15

4.4 The Main Menu ................................................................................ 16

4.5 Loading a Configuration .................................................................. 17

4.6 Multiport Spooler VIII Port Configuration ..................................... 18

4.7 Choosing and Changing Port Parameters ....................................... 21

4.8 Other Main Menu Selections ........................................................... 38

5. DOS Software Installation: UCTP and MPSDOS .................................... 42

5.1 The UCTP Menu and MPSDOS ....................................................... 42

5.2 The Installation Procedure .............................................................. 43

5.3 Installation Screens ........................................................................... 45

5.4 Changing MPSDOS Settings ............................................................ 56

6. Windows Software Installation: UCTP and MPSWIN ............................ 58

6.1 The UCTP Menu and MPSWIN ....................................................... 58

6.2 The Installation Procedure .............................................................. 59

6.3 Installation Screens ........................................................................... 61

6.4 Changing MPSWIN Settings ............................................................. 69

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

Chapter or Appendix Page

7. Operation ................................................................................................. 71

7.1 MPS-VIII Hardware Operation ........................................................ 71

7.2 Using MPSDOS and MPSWIN with the MPS-VIII............................. 73

7.3 Using the UCTP with the MPS-VIII .....................................................75

7.4 Operating Daisychained or Cascaded MPS-VIIIs ............................ 83

8. Troubleshooting ...................................................................................... 85

8.1 Common Concerns ........................................................................... 85

8.2 Errors Indicated by the MPS-VIII’s LEDs ........................................ 90

8.3 Non-Error Display Codes .................................................................. 92

8.4 Error Messages .................................................................................. 93

8.5 Operation-Time MPSDOS Errors: The CHKERR Program ........... 96

8.6 Calling Black Box .............................................................................. 97

8.7 Shipping and Packaging ................................................................... 97

Appendix A: Cable Pinouts ............................................................................ 98

A.1 Cable Information ............................................................................ 98

A.2 Various Connector Types ................................................................. 98

A.3 Telephone Cables and Modular Adapters .................................... 103

A.4 Parallel Cables ................................................................................. 112

Appendix B: Quick Reference: Direct Commands and Display Codes ..... 114

Appendix C: Software Files and Utilities ..................................................... 118

C.1 Files on the Included Diskettes ...................................................... 118

C.2 Files Created During Installation ................................................... 123

Appendix D: Sending Direct Commands to the MPS-VIII ......................... 130

D.1 Transmission Methods .................................................................... 131

D.2 Command Formats ......................................................................... 133

D.3 Command Descriptions .................................................................. 137

Appendix E: Editing the UCTP ................................................................... 149

Appendix F: Sharing a Fax Modem ............................................................. 152

F.1 Installing Fax Software on the First PC ......................................... 152

F.2 Hardware Connections ................................................................... 152

F.3 Installing MPSWIN ......................................................................... 153

F.4 Subsequent Installations ................................................................. 154

Appendix G: Installing and Operating Win95 Software ................................155

CHAPTER 1: Specifications

1.1 Requirements

System Hardware Required — Connected computers: IBM PC, PC/XT, AT, or PS/2

with VGA, EGA, CGA, or Hercules video adapters

System Software Required — Connected computers: DOS version 2.0 or higher;

If running MPSWIN software: Windows version 3.0, 3.1, or 3.11

System Memory Required — For default configuration with no peripheral

switching: None; To run MPSDOS: 6 KB RAM; To run UCTP: 32 KB RAM (Hercules or CGA

adapter) or 39 KB RAM (EGA or VGA adapter); To run MPSWIN: Brief loads of 15-KB driver

System Disk Space Required — Will depend on software selected for installation (use

the numbers below as approximate guidelines only); For default configuration with no peripheral

switching: None; For UCTP only (under DOS): 91 KB minimum; For UCTP only (under Windows): 104 KB minimum; For DOS software only: 199 KB minumum; For UCTP and DOS software: 289 KB minumum; For UCTP and Windows software: 501 KB minimum; For all software: 722 KB minimum

Cable Required — See Appendix A

1. Specifications

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

1.2 Conformity

Compliance — FCC Part 15 Class A; IC Class/classe A

1.3 Input/Output Characteristics

Interfaces — PI750-2, PI760-2 models: IBM PC (Centronics

compatible) parallel only; PI754, PI764 models: EIA RS-232 serial only; All other models: IBM PC parallel and EIA RS-232 serial

Protocol — Serial ports: Asynchronous

Data Format — Serial ports: 7 or 8 data bits; 1 or 2 stop bits; even,

odd, or no parity (user-selectable); Parallel ports: 8 data bits

Flow Control — Serial ports: Hardware (DTR/CTS) or software

(X-ON/X-OFF) (user-selectable); users can also

select alternate characters for software flow control

Operation Mode — Serial ports: Full duplex

Data Rate — Serial ports: 38,400, 19,200, 9600, 4800, 2400, 600,

or 300 bps (user-selectable); Parallel ports:

Input only: Up to 36,400 cps;

Output only: Up to 18,300 cps;

Simultaneous input and output: Up to 11,900 cps

Maximum Distance — Parallel:

From PC to MPS-VIII: Up to 100 ft. (30.5 m) across

low-capacitance cable;

From MPS-VIII to printer: Up to 25 ft. (7.6 m); Serial:

At 38,400 bps: Up to 500 ft. (152.4 m) from PC to

MPS-VIII or from MPS-VIII to printer;

At 9600 bps: Up to 1000 ft. (304.8 m) from PC to

MPS-VIII or from MPS-VIII to printer

CHAPTER 1: Specifications

1.4 Hardware Characteristics

Internal Memory — All units: 8 KB battery-backed-up static RAM for

configuration storage; PI75X models: 1 MB buffer RAM, of which 16 KB

is reserved for use by the system; PI76X models: 4 MB buffer RAM, of which 16 KB

is reserved for use by the system; Buffer memory is user-allocatable to parallel or

bidirectional serial ports in 16-KB increments, or

is dynamically allocated by the unit on a first-come,

first-served basis

User Controls — Software (included);

Front-mounted ON/OFF rocker switch

Indicators — Front-mounted LEDs:

All models: (1) Power;

PI750, PI754, PI760, PI764 models:

(4) Communication Activity (one for each port);

PI751, PI755, PI761, PI765 models:

(8) Communication Activity (one for each port);

PI752, PI756, PI762, PI766 models:

(12) Communication Activity (one for each port)

Connectors — (1) Rear-mounted IEC 320 male power inlet;

Rear-mounted DB25:

PI750, PI760 models: (4) female (parallel);

PI751, PI761 models: (8) female (parallel);

PI752, PI762 models: (12) female (parallel);

PI754, PI764 models: (4) male (serial);

PI755, PI765 models: (4) female (parallel), (4) male

(serial);

PI756, PI766 units: (8) female (parallel), (4) male

(serial)

Temperature Tolerance — Operating: 32 to 100˚ F (0 to 37.8˚C)

Storage: –40 to 212˚F (–40 to 100˚C)

Humidity Tolerance — Up to 90% noncondensing

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

Power — “A”-suffix units (PI750A, PI751A, etc.):

From wallmount power supply:

Input: 90 to 132 VAC, 50 to 60 Hz;

Consumption:

PI750A, PI754A, PI760A, PI764A models:

12.7 VA;

PI751A, PI755A, PI761A, PI765A models:

17 VA;

PI752A, PI756A, PI762A, PI766A models:

19.2 VA;

“AE”-suffix units (PI750AE, PI751AE, etc.):

From desktop power supply:

Input: 203 to 237 VAC, 50 to 60 Hz;

Consumption:

4-port models: 11.5 VA; 8-port models: 16.1 VA; 12-port models: 22 VA

Size — PI750, PI754, PI760, PI764 models:

2"H x 17.5"W x 12"D (5.1 x 44.5 x 30.5 cm); PI751, PI755, PI761, PI765 models:

2.8"H x 17.5"W x 12"D (7 x 44.5 x 30.5 cm)

PI752, PI756, PI762, PI766 models:

3.2"H x 17.5"W x 12"D (8.1 x 44.5 x 30.5 cm)

Weight — PI750, PI754, PI760, PI764 models: 8 lb. (3.6 kg);

PI751, PI755, PI761, PI765 models: 8.8 lb. (4 kg); PI752, PI756, PI762, PI766 models: 12 lb. (5.5 kg)

CHAPTER 2: Introduction

This manual tells you how to use the 4-, 8-, and 12-port models of the Multiport Spooler VIII (MPS-VIII) peripheral sharer and its included MPSDOS and MPSWIN print-control software.

The Multiport Spooler VIII is a sophisticated peripheral sharer based on multiple microprocessors. It helps you increase the effectiveness of your office hardware by allowing several computers to share a given peripheral (such as a printer, plotter, modem, etc.), or by giving a computer access to several of these peripherals. The MPS-VIII enables you to cross-connect your hardware, and thus maximize its effectiveness. Its large RAM buffer speeds up processing, thus shortening delays often associated with computers submitting a print or plot file.

MPSDOS and MPSWIN software enable you to select a printer or other peripheral without having to exit your application or memorize the MPS-VIII port to which each peripheral is connected. With MPSDOS, you can select any of up to 11 printers from a DOS application, and with MPSWIN, any of up to 9 printers from a Windows™ application.

Whether you are in a DOS or Windows environment, you can use the User’s Command Transmission Program (UCTP) to send commands to the MPS-VIII, including commands to select peripherals, without having to exit your application.

2. Introduction

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

This chapter tells you the initial steps to take to set up your Multiport Spooler VIII. These instructions complement the Easy Installation Guide included in your package.

NOTE

These instructions are intended for the system administrator responsible for installing the Multiport Spooler VIII. Users not involved in the installation can refer to Chapter 7 for instructions on how to use the MPS-VIII.

3.1 System Requirements

To use the Multiport Spooler VIII, you must have IBM®PC, PC/XT™, AT®, PS/2®, or truly compatible computers, each with VGA, EGA, CGA, or Hercules

display adapters, running DOS (including MS-DOS®, PC-DOS, and Novell

DOS) version 2.0 or higher. If you are using MPSWIN, your computers must also be running Microsoft®Windows version 3.0, 3.1, or 3.11.

3.2 The Complete Multiport Spooler VIII Package

As you carefully unpack the Multiport Spooler VIII, make sure you’ve received all of the following items:

• (1) Multiport Spooler VIII main unit.

• (1) AC power adapter.

• (1) Serial or parallel cable (depending on whether port #1 on your Spooler is a serial or parallel port).

• (1) 31⁄2-inch (720-KB) software diskette labeled “Disk 1 of 2” that contains MPSDOS and the DOS version of the UCTP.

• (1) 31⁄2-inch (1.44 MB) software diskette labeled “Disk 2 of 2” that contains MPSWIN and the Windows version of the UCTP.

• (1) Foldout Easy Installation Guide.

• This manual.

3. Hardware Installation

CHAPTER 3: Hardware Installation

3.3 Copying the Software Diskettes

Before proceeding with the software installation, we recommended that you make a backup copy of the included software diskettes. Install from the backup copies and store the originals.

Under DOS, you can use the DISKCOPY or COPY commands to make the backup diskettes. Under Windows, you can use the Windows File Manager (in the Main program group) to make the copies: From the File Manager’s Disk menu, choose “Copy Disk,” then follow the instructions on the screen. If necessary, refer to your DOS or Windows manual for instructions.

3.4 Installing the Hardware

Make sure to turn off and unplug the Multiport Spooler VIII, as well as the PCs and peripherals you want to attach to it, before you install the MPS-VIII. Refer to the included Easy Installation Guide for specific information about port connections in the default setup of your unit. The guide shows that every fourth port (4, 8, 12) is an output port. Use appropriate cables (see Appendix A) to connect printers, plotters, or other peripherals that receive data to these output ports. By default, the other ports are input ports (or bidirectional, if your MPS-VIII model has serial ports). Use appropriate cables (see Appendix A) to connect the computers, which mainly send data, to these input ports. Do not plug in or turn on any of the peripherals or PCs you connect until after you have configured the MPS-VIII.

It is important to make sure that you connect parallel ports on peripherals and PCs to parallel ports on the MPS-VIII, and serial ports on peripherals and PCs to serial ports on the MPS-VIII. The MPS-VIII’s parallel ports are DB25 female connectors and its serial ports are DB25 male connectors, as shown below. Keep in mind that the MPS-VIII’s serial ports are bidirectional, and can be used as either input or output ports without your having to specially configure the MPS-VIII.

DB25 Male Serial Ports DB25 Female Parallel Ports

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

If your peripherals require more output-port connections than you have output ports on your Multiport Spooler VIII, connect these peripherals to free input ports. You can later use the configuration program to change these ports to output ports. The opposite also applies; if your PCs require more input ports than you have on your MPS-VIII, connect these PCs to free output ports and later configure the unit to change the direction of the ports.

3.5 Powering Up the System

Plug the included AC power supply into the appropriate connector on the rear panel of the Multiport Spooler VIII, then plug its input cord into a working outlet.

The power switch is located on the front panel of the Multiport Spooler VIII. Ideally, you should have your MPS-VIII and the attached peripherals plugged into a common power strip or UPS, so that they can be powered up simultaneously. If this is not the case, turn on your system in this order: computers first, followed by the MPS-VIII, then your peripherals (printers, plotters, modems, etc.).

When you turn on the Multiport Spooler VIII, a visual test sequence is initiated on the front panel. If the POWER LED remains on when this test sequence is completed, the MPS-VIII is ready for use.

CHAPTER 3: Hardware Installation

3.6 What to Do Next

You have now finished your Multiport Spooler VIII’s hardware setup. Before you go on to Section 3.7, read the passages under the following three headings. Your answers will determine whether or not you need to install any of the software used to control the MPS-VIII.

3.6.1 DOYOUN

EED TOCONFIGURE THE

MPS-VIII?

Depending on your specific needs, you might or might not have to configure the Multiport Spooler VIII. Once you have connected your peripherals as described in the Easy Installation Guide, the MPS-VIII is ready to operate using its default configuration:

• By default, ports 4, 8, and 12 are output ports; the others are input ports (if parallel) or bidirectional (if serial).

• The default communication parameters of the MPS-VIII’s serial ports are: 9600 bps, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity, and hardware handshaking (DTR/CTS).

If these settings suit your needs, no further configuration is needed. If they don’t, you need to use the configuration program to adapt the Multiport Spooler VIII to meet your requirements (see Chapter 4).

Basically, you need to configure the Multiport Spooler VIII if:

• You have to change an input port to an output port, or vice versa.

• The communication parameters of the MPS-VIII’s serial ports do not match those of the attached PCs and peripherals.

NOTE

You can also use the configuration program to change various userspecific functions. Refer to Section 4.7 for a full list of the parameters set with the program and their default settings.

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

3.6.2 DOYOUN

EED

MPSDOS, MPSWIN, ORUCTP?

With MPSDOS and MPSWIN software, you can select a printer (or other peripheral) without having to exit your application or memorize the Multiport Spooler VIII port to which each peripheral is connected. With MPSDOS, you may select any of up to 11 printers from within a DOS application; with MPSWIN, any of up to 9 printers from within a Windows application. Whichever environment is used, the software is completely transparent to the end user.

The User’s Command Transmission Program (UCTP) is a menu-driven program available for both the DOS and Windows environments. It enables you to send control commands to the MPS-VIII, including peripheralselection commands, without having to exit your application. You can use these commands to do such things as specify the number of copies to print, activate a form feed, reserve a peripheral for your exclusive use, or put your submitted jobs on pause. You can choose to have the UCTP loaded as a resident program, so that it’s instantly accessible by pressing a hotkey combination. (You can also send control commands directly from the DOS prompt, in which case you do not need the UCTP. However, this requires knowledge of the exact command syntax, so the UCTP is recommended for most users. Refer to Appendix D for more information about the direct control commands.)

In summary, if your peripherals are of different types (for example, a dotmatrix printer, a laser printer, and a plotter), you need to be able to select the appropriate peripheral (output port). Otherwise, jobs sent to the Multiport Spooler VIII would go to the first available output port—4, 8, or 12—and the peripheral on that port might be unsuitable for the job. Basically, you should install one or more of these software programs if one of the following situations applies to you:

1. You have two or more peripherals and need to be able to switch between them.

2. You want to be able to send control commands to the Multiport Spooler VIII.

If only situation 1 applies to you, you should install MPSDOS (see Chapter 5)or MPSWIN (see Chapter 6), depending on which operating system you work with. If both situations apply, you should install the UCTP (see Chapter 5 or

6); you can also install MPSDOS if you want to be able to select printers transparently.

CHAPTER 3: Hardware Installation

NOTES

1) To install the Windows UCTP menu, you need to install MPSWIN.

2) Unless you plan to work extensively in both the DOS and Windows environments, you don’t need to do both the DOS and Windows installations; just install the software written for the environment you use most.

3.6.3 DOYOUN

EED THEUTILITYSOFTWARE

Other software utilities besides MPSDOS, MPSWIN, and the UCTP are included with the Multiport Spooler VIII. These enable you to send a break signal to a parallel port, change the speed of the serial port of a serially connected computer to up to 38,400 bps, change the configuration of the MPS-VIII if you have added memory to it, etc. These utilities are listed in Appendix C.

It is not essential for you to determine right now whether you need some or all of these utilities. If you prefer, you can simply install them later by using MPSSETUP.

3.7 Using the MPSSETUP Program

You must use the MPSSETUP program if you want to:

• Configure the Multiport Spooler VIII

• Use MPSDOS or the UCTP

• Copy the other software utilities

NOTE

To install MPSWIN (including the UCTP), refer to Chapter 6.

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

To execute MPSSETUP, take the following steps.

1. Insert the Multiport Spooler VIII software diskette (or its backup copy) in your PC’s diskette drive.

2. Activate that drive by typing its letter designation followed by a colon (for example, “A:” or “B:”) and pressing [ENTER].

3. Run the program by typing in the name “MPSSETUP” and pressing [ENTER].

3. Based on the decisions you have made about the software you need, select from the options displayed on the screen.

• If you need to configure the MPS-VIII, refer to Chapter 4.

• If you need to install the UCTP and/or MPSDOS, refer to Chapter 5.

• If you need to install the software utilities, you must specify the disk

drive and directory to install them to. Refer to Appendix C for more information about the software utilities.

CHAPTER 4: Configuration

4.1 Do You Need to Configure the MPS-VIII?

Whether or not you need to configure the Multiport Spooler VIII depends entirely on your specific needs. An MPS-VIII comes with a basic factory-set default configuration, under which every fourth port (ports 4, 8, and 12) is an output port. Connect printers, plotters, or other peripherals that primarily receive data to these ports. By default, the other ports are input ports (if parallel) or bidirectional ports (if serial). Connect PCs or other devices that primarily send data to these ports. Note that a serial bidirectional port can serve either as an input or output port without any reconfiguration of the MPS-VIII.

Once you have connected your peripherals, as described in Chapter 3, the unit is fully functional according to the default settings. It only remains to establish whether the default configuration of the Multiport Spooler VIII meets your needs. If it does, you don’t have to configure the MPS-VIII. But if it doesn’t, you’ll need to use the included configuration program (see Section 4.2) or the MPS-VIII’s control commands (see Appendix D) to adapt the Multiport Spooler VIII to meet your requirements.

Basically, you need to configure the Multiport Spooler VIII if:

• You have to change an input port to an output port, or vice versa;

• The communication parameters of the Multiport Spooler VIII serial ports do not match those of the attached peripherals; or

• You want to change various user-specific functions. (This is optional; among the parameters you can set are port names, port-access restriction, headers, etc. This chapter contains a full list of the parameters that can be set and their default settings.)

Here are some of the MPS-VIII’s important default parameters:

• By default, ports 4, 8, and 12 are output ports, and all other ports are input (if parallel) or bidirectional (if serial) ports.

• The communications parameters of every serial port are 9600 baud, no parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and hardware (DTR/CTS) flow control.

4. Configuration

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

4.2 Starting the Configuration Program

NOTE

You can also partially configure the Multiport Spooler VIII by using the control commands that can be sent through the User’s Command Transmission Program (UCTP) or from the DOS command line (see Appendix D).

To configure the Multiport Spooler VIII, you can use the MPSCONF program included with the MPS-VIII’s support software. How you start this program depends on whether you are configuring for the first time or have done so before:

• If you are configuring the MPS-VIII for the first time, run the MPSSETUP program from the MPS-VIII’s support software diskette, and choose the Configure MPS-VIII menu selection.

• If you have configured the MPS-VIII before, using the MPSSETUP program, MPSCONF has been copied onto your PC. Just enter the command MPSCONF at the DOS prompt.

Regardless of how you initiate the configuration process—by selecting Configure MPS-VIII from the MPSSETUP menu or by entering the MPSCONF command at the DOS prompt—there are three stages to the MPS-VIII configuration:

• Loading an existing configuration,

• Making the required modifications, and

• Saving the modified configuration.

CHAPTER 4: Configuration

4.3 Defining the Connected Port (First-Time Configuration Only)

When you configure the Multiport Spooler VIII for the first time, you must tell MPSCONF which one of the PC’s ports you have connected to the Multiport Spooler VIII. This screen will appear:

Use your keyboard’s arrow keys to select the port name. The options are serial ports COM1, COM2, COM3, or COM4, or parallel ports LPT1, LPT2, or LPT3.

NOTE

If the PC port connected to the Multiport Spooler VIII is a serial port, the port must be configured to the same communication parameters as the MPS-VIII. On a new MPS-VIII, the default parameters are 9600 bps, 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit. The number of data bits is fixed at 8, which is required for proper communication with the MPS-VIII.

Press Enter to activate your selection. The selections you make are placed in parentheses to indicate that they are current or active. After you have defined which PC port you are using, and have set any necessary serial communication parameters, press Esc. You are returned to the Main Menu.

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

4.4 The Main Menu

The Multiport Spooler VIII’s main menu, shown below, lists the functions involved in configuration.

Special Keys:

F1 Displays Help information

Enter Activates the option highlighted in reverse-video.

Up and down Move to the desired option. arrow keys

To select an option from the main menu, use the up [↑] and down [↓] arrow keys to move the reverse-video bar over the desired function, or type the first letter of the function name. Then press Enter.

The following sections describe each of the options you can select at the

main menu.

CHAPTER 4: Configuration

4.5 Loading a Configuration

To modify a configuration, whether it is the default configuration or a custom one, you must first load (retrieve) it. When you select Load configuration at the main menu, a screen appears and asks you to select the current configuration (the one that is active in the MPS-VIII) or a configuration stored in a file on disk.

• To modify the current Multiport Spooler VIII configuration, which you must do if you are configuring the MPS-VIII for the first time, select Configuration from Current MPS-VIII.

• To modify a configuration from a file, select Configuration from the

Disk File.

4.5.1 THEC

ONFIGURATIONPASSWORD

Whenever you load the current Multiport Spooler VIII configuration, a screen appears and asks you to enter the configuration password. If you are loading the default Multiport Spooler VIII configuration for the first time, there is no password. You need only press Enter. (You can change the configuration password by selecting Modify password at the main menu. If you have forgotten the password, refer to the entry for “Lost Configuration Password” in Section 8.1.)

4.5.2 THEN

AME OF THECONFIGURATIONFILE

If you are loading a configuration file from disk, you are prompted for the configuration file’s name. You can use the Backspace key to erase the default name NONAME. You must type in the full pathname of a disk-stored configuration file. Press Enter, and the configuration file is loaded. You are not prompted for a password in this instance.

4.5.3 O

THERCONSIDERATIONS

If a transmission error occurs when you are loading a configuration, an error message is displayed and the configuration is not loaded. Correct the error and restart from the Load configuration menu option.

After the configuration is loaded, you return to the main menu with the

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII port configuration option highlighted.

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

4.6 Multiport Spooler VIII Port Configuration

When you select MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII port configuration from the main menu, the port-menu screen shown below appears. At this screen you can choose individual MPS-VIII ports to configure on separate screens. The port-menu screen provides some information about the ports, such as the port’s type and the direction of its communication. To make any changes to a port’s configuration, however, you need to select the port and make the changes on the corresponding screen.

Select the desired port. Press Enter and that port’s configuration screen appears. There are four types of port-configuration screen, one for each of the following:

• Serial bidirectional ports,

• Serial output ports,

• Parallel input ports, and

• Parallel output ports.

Examples of each type are shown on the following pages. The fields in the port-configuration screens are described in Section 4.7.

CHAPTER 4: Configuration

4.6.1 C

ONFIGURATIONSCREEN FORSERIALBIDIRECTIONALPORTS

4.6.2 C

ONFIGURATION

CREEN FORSERIALOUTPUTPORTS

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

4.6.3 C

ONFIGURATIONSCREEN FORPARALLELINPUTPORTS

4.6.4 C

ONFIGURATION

CREEN FORPARALLELOUTPUTPORTS

CHAPTER 4: Configuration

4.7 Choosing and Changing Port Parameters

Using the port-configuration screens on the previous pages, you can configure any of the Multiport Spooler VIII’s ports, including the default output ports (numbers 4, 8, and 12), to meet your needs. After selecting a particular port, just select the parameter and change the value to the one you prefer.

Not every parameter applies to every port. For example, serial communication parameters (data bits, parity, etc.) apply only to serial ports. When a parameter does not apply to a port, dashes (- - - - - ) appear in its field.

To position the highlight bar on the parameter you wish to modify, use the up (↑), down (↓), left (←), and right (→) arrow keys, or type the first letter of the parameter. If several parameters start with the same letter, press the letter key until the highlight bar reaches the desired parameter. To select that parameter, press Enter. The cursor positions itself in the value column to the right of the parameter’s name. If the value is erased and the field is in reverse video, type the new value and press Enter. If the value flashes, use the up and down arrow keys to toggle between the available choices. In either case, press Enter to confirm your entry.

The various port configuration parameters and a summary of each one’s purpose is listed on the following page. A detailed explanation of each parameter follows.

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

4.7.1 S

UMMARY OFPORT-CONFIGURATIONPARAMETERS

Name Enter port name

Type Set port direction

Speed Set data rate

Data Bit Set number of data bits

Stop Bit Set number of stop bits

Parity Set type of parity

Handshake Set type of flow control

Time-Out Set length of timeouts

Log Permit/deny reserving peripherals

Pause Set pause between each job

Allocated Memory Assign memory to a given port

Character [X-on] Define “Continue” flow-control character

Character [X-off] Define “Stop” flow-control character

Form Feed Activate/deactivate automatic form feed

Broadcast Activate/deactivate sending jobs to all selected

output ports

Selected Output Designate output port for input port

Return Message Activate/deactivate message/command

acknowledgement

Header Option Define and activate/deactivate header

Restriction Permit/deny access by input port to output port

CHAPTER 4: Configuration

4.7.2 P

ORT-CONFIGURATIONPARAMETERS INDETAIL

Name

Purpose Assigns a unique name to each port.

Applies To All port types.

Possible Values Each name can be up to 8 characters in length. The

first character cannot be a number. You can use any ASCII keyboard character in the name except comma (“,”), asterisk (“*”), slash (“/”), question mark (“?”), carriage return (“Enter”), escape (“ESC”), and “at sign” (“@”, the command-start character).

Usage Notes By default, ports 4, 8, and 12 are assigned the names

PRINTERA, PRINTERB, and PRINTERC; the other ports are named P01 through P11. You can change any of these. You might want to assign names based on whether a user or peripheral is connected (for instance, USER1 or PLOTTER2). It is advisable to group similar peripherals with similar names to allow easy selection with wild-card characters, if required. For example, you can select the first available of MODEM_A or MODEM_B with MODEM_?. No name can be used more than once.

Type

Purpose Determines the direction of data through each port.

Applies To All port types.

Possible Values Parallel Input Ports : P-In

Parallel Output Ports: P-Out Serial Bidirectional Ports: S-BDir Serial Output Ports: S-Out

By default, ports 4, 8, and 12, whether serial or parallel, are defined as output ports; all other parallel ports are defined as input ports; and all other serial ports are defined as bidirectional ports.

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

Usage Notes Use this parameter to set ports to be input ports

(MPS-VIII ports that receive information) or output ports (MPS-VIII ports that transmit information—for example, a printer job—to a peripheral or to another PC). Serial bidirectional ports can serve both these purposes.

Your Multiport Spooler VIII has 4, 8, or 12 ports, but depending on the model you chose, your unit may have only parallel ports, only serial ports, or some combination of the two types. Depending on how you organize your PCs and peripherals and on which MPS-VIII model you have, you can designate some parallel ports as input and others as output, and designate some serial ports as exclusively output and others as bidirectional. From the opposite point of view, input ports can be parallel input ports or serial bidirectional ports, and output ports can be parallel output ports, serial output ports, or serial bidirectional ports.

Examples: You would normally set a parallel port cabled to a PC to be an input port. You would normally set a parallel port cabled to a printer to be an output port. And, if you were planning for file transfers between PCs, you would set a serial port cabled to a PC to be a bidirectional port.

NOTE

The Form Feed and Header Option parameters are automatically disabled when a port is configured as an output port. However, the settings of these disabled options stay in the MPS-VIII’s memory. This enables users to restore these options’ original configurations by changing the port back to an input port.

CHAPTER 4: Configuration

Speed

Purpose Determines the data rate (also called “baud rate” or

“transmission speed”) of the chosen port.

Applies To Serial ports only.

Possible Values 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, or

38400 bps. Use the up and down arrow keys to toggle from value to value. The default data rate is 9600 bps.

Usage Notes Set the data rate of the Multiport Spooler VIII port

to match the data rate of the device to which it is connected.

NOTE

Most DOS PC serial ports default to a data rate of 2400 bps unless they are set differently with the DOS MODE command or the included SMODE command (refer to Appendix D).

Data Bit

Purpose Determines the number of data bits on the chosen

port.

Applies To Serial ports only.

Possible Values 7 or 8 (8 is the default).

Usage Notes Set the data bits of the Multiport Spooler VIII port to

match the data bits of the device to which it is connected.

If you select 7 data bits, decimal characters 128 to 255 (for example, the “extended ASCII” accented and graphic characters) can’t be transmitted, and you can no longer configure the MPS-VIII from this port. However, 7-bit data with even or odd parity is similar to 8-bit data with no parity. This can be useful if you have a graphics package that sends 7-bit data with even parity. You can set the Multiport Spooler VIII to 8-bit data and no parity, allowing other applications to use the full 8-bit character set.

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

Stop Bit

Purpose Determines the number of stop bits on the chosen

port.

Applies To Serial ports only.

Possible Values 1 or 2 (1 is the default).

Usage Notes Set the number of stop bits of the Multiport Spooler

VIII port to match the number of stop bits of the device to which it is connected.

Parity

Purpose Determines the parity type.

Applies To Serial ports only.

Possible Values None, Even, or Odd (None is the default).

Usage Notes Set the parity of the Multiport Spooler VIII port to

match the parity of the device to which it is connected.

Handshaking

Purpose Determines handshaking (flow control) protocol.

Applies To Serial ports only.

Possible Values DTR/CTS (hardware) or X-ON/X-OFF (software).

The default is DTR/CTS.

Usage Notes If you have selected software flow control, you can

choose whichever control codes you want to take the place of the the X-ON and X-OFF characters. (This is helpful for people who are using ENQ/ACK or other less popular types of software flow control.) Refer to the entries for the Character [X-on] and Character [X-off] parameters later in this section.

CHAPTER 4: Configuration

Time-Out

Purpose The timeout is the amount of non-transmitting time

that may elapse during the transmission of a job before the Multiport Spooler VIII considers the job to be finished. The MPS-VIII will wait the length of the timeout for a transmission to resume without treating it as a new transmission. After the timeout expires, the MPS-VIII considers the next transmission to be a new job.

Applies To All port types.

Possible Values The default timeout for parallel input ports and

serial bidirectional ports is 6 seconds. For parallel and serial output ports, the default is 1 second. The timeout range for any port is from 1 to 999 seconds.

Usage Notes General

The LEDs of the input and output ports are ON during transmission and turn OFF when transmission ends and the timeout expires.

On input ports, the expiration of the timeout marks the end of a job received from an external source. A timeout is relevant to output ports only when two or more Multiport Spooler VIII units are daisychained or cascaded (connected together; see Section 7.4).

Input-Port Timeouts

Some software packages, such as AutoCAD®, perform a variety of calculations while printing or plotting. While these calculations are in process there may be temporary pauses in data transmission. If the inputport timeout expires during such a pause, the Multiport Spooler VIII assumes that the job has finished, although there has actually only been a transmission delay.

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

Either of the following can happen when a timeout expires during such a delay:

a) When transmission resumes, the Multiport Spooler VIII assumes it has a new job, rather than a resumption of the old job. Therefore, any form feed, header, or character string assigned to the input port is unnecessarily executed. Or,

b) If a new job is sent to the same output port from a different source before transmission resumes, the Multiport Spooler VIII switches to the new job before completing the old one, because it thinks the old one is finished.

Because of these possibilities, you need to set the timeout for an input port long enough to ensure that transmitted jobs will not be ended prematurely, but short enough to allow other users fair access to the same peripheral. For software packages that transmit without interruption (for example, word-processing software), set a 6-second timeout for the input ports. In cases when you expect transmission interruptions caused by disk accessing or vector processing (for example, plotting from AutoCAD), you need to set a longer timeout (about 30 seconds).

A direct command is recognized if it occurs within the first 256 characters of a new job. If more than 256 characters of the same job are sent to the Multiport Spooler VIII, the timeout on the entry port must expire before another command can be recognized. In this case, the timeout is used to indicate when the MPS-VIII should interpret command character strings as actual commands and execute them.

To automatically reset an input-port timeout to zero before a subsequent command is sent, use the UCTP program to enable the Break feature (see Section 7.3.3).

CHAPTER 4: Configuration

Output-Port Timeouts

The timeout is not critical or necessary when a Multiport Spooler VIII output port transmits to peripherals such as a printer, plotter, or modem. To deactivate the timeout, set it to one second.

The timeout on an output port is critical, however, when two or more MPS-VIIIs are daisychained or cascaded (connected to each other; see Section 7.4). If the timeout on the sending MPS- VIII’s output port is shorter than the timeout on the receiving MPS-VIII’s input port, the receiving unit might interpret a new transmission as being part of a preceding one. Thus, two separate tasks would be interpreted as one.

NOTE

In general, input (PC) port timeouts should be set longer than output (peripheral) port timeouts. Setting input-port timeouts too short may cause errors in job processing.

Log

Purpose Determines whether PC users can reserve

peripherals for their exclusive use.

Applies To Parallel input ports and serial bidirectional

ports used as input ports.

Possible Values “Permit” or “Deny.” The default is “Permit.”

Usage Notes Users whose input port is granted the Log capability

can use the /L, /Y, or /Z direct control commands to reserve a chosen output or bidirectional port for their exclusive use. Users whose input port is denied the Log capability can send these commands, but they are ignored.

NOTE

Serial connections for modem communication or file transfers should have the Log option permitted.

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

Pause

Purpose Sets a pause for all jobs transmitted to the Multiport

Spooler VIII through the selected port. The MPSVIII will receive user jobs intact, but will not send them to the selected port until the user releases the paused jobs.

Applies To Parallel input ports and serial bidirectional ports

used as input ports.

Possible Values “Active” or “Inactive.” The default is “Inactive.”

Usage Notes Setting a pause allows the user transmitting to the

Multiport Spooler VIII to refill a paper tray or change plotter pens before the MPS-VIII processes that job to an output port (and the attached peripheral).

If the MPS-VIII’s buffer is full when a new job is received, the first paused job in the queue is automatically released to the peripheral. The pause stays active.

When a pause is active, you must use the Release Pause command to release a paused job. Refer to

Section 7.3.2 or the entry for the /A command in Appendix D for details.

Allocated Memory

Purpose Sets aside a block of memory exclusively for the user

linked to the selected Multiport Spooler VIII port. The allocated memory is never available to other users.

Applies To Parallel input ports and serial bidirectional ports

used as input ports.

Possible Values Depend on how much memory your Multiport

Spooler VIII has (refer to the table below). The default is 0 (zero).

CHAPTER 4: Configuration

Usage Notes The Multiport Spooler VIII normally allocates

memory automatically, as required for each job. Manually allocating memory enables you to reserve memory exclusively for a given user. The amount you specify is always available to that user, regardless of the activities of other users.

Memory is allocated in single 16-KB blocks. The number of 16-KB blocks available in your Multiport Spooler VIII depends on the amount of memory installed in it. The following table shows how much memory and how many blocks are available with various memory configurations. (Four 16-KB blocks are always reserved for internal processing.)

Memory Capacity No. of Available

16-KB Blocks

256 KB 12 512 KB 28 1 MB 60 4 MB 252

Character [X-on], Character [X-off]

Purpose Determines the software flow-control characters.

Applies To Serial ports only.

Possible Values Any hexadecimal (hex) code between 0 and FF. The

defaults are 11 for X-ON and 13 for X-OFF.

Usage Notes If you want to, you can select alternate software flow-

control codes (if you use ENQ/ACK flow control, for example).

Form Feed

Purpose Determines whether a form feed is automatically sent

at the beginning and/or end of each job.

Applies To Parallel input ports and serial bidirectional ports

used as input ports.

Possible Values “Active” or “Inactive.” The default is “Inactive.”

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

Usage Notes This option is particularly helpful if you use the Print

Screen function. Set the timeout to 1 second and activate the form feed. A form feed is then generated after each print screen.

An end-of-job form feed is executed after the timeout expires.

You can also use form feed to insert a blank page between user printouts on a continuous-feed printer.

Broadcast

Purpose Determines whether a user can, with a single

command, send a job to all or several selected output ports at once.

Applies To Parallel input ports and serial bidirectional ports

used as input ports.

Possible Values “Active” or “Inactive.” The default is “Inactive.”

Usage Notes If you activate Broadcast, you must specify the ports

used for broadcast in the Selected Output field (see the description of that field below).

An example application might be a user who needs to be able to print a document at several different stations at the same time (to convey information to people at those stations).

Selected Output

Purpose Specifies the output port for a Multiport

Spooler VIII input port.

Applies To Input ports.

Possible Values The name of any output (or bidirectional) port. You

can also group peripherals together by type and use a wild-card character (“*” or “?”) to indicate that any of the peripherals can be used. The default is PRINTER?, which means the job goes to the first available output port (PRINTERA, PRINTERB, or PRINTERC at port 4, 8, or 12 respectively).

CHAPTER 4: Configuration

NOTE

Just as in DOS, the “?” wild-card character represents a single character, whereas the “*” character can represent a string of one or more characters.

Usage Notes Suppose Mary’s PC is connected to port #2. You can

specify port #12, which is connected to printer C, as the selected output for port #2. Mary’s print jobs will then go to printer C until she chooses another printer (for example, with the UCTP, MPSDOS, or MPSWIN).

If you enter just the wild-card character as the selected output, all jobs from the input port go to the first available output port, whether parallel, serial, or serial bidirectional, unless the user specifies otherwise. But it might be a better idea to limit the output to a certain peripheral or peripheral type that suits the input port’s user.

To specify the desired output port, enter its name or number and press Enter. You cannot specify input ports or ports that have beeen restricted with the Restriction parameter (see the description of this field on page 37) as selected output ports.

If all available selected output ports are busy, the job remains in the buffer until one becomes available.

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

Return Message

Purpose Instructs the Multiport Spooler VIII to acknowledge

the commands or configurations that it receives from the user.

Applies To Parallel input ports and serial bidirectional ports

used as input ports.

Values “Active” or “Inactive.” The default is “Active.”

Here are some of the messages that the MPS-VIII might return if Return Message is active:

(OK) Command accepted

(UNKNOWN COMMAND) Invalid command

(CONNECTED TO ) Confirmation of bidirectional link

with port 

(RESERVATION CONFIRMED Confirmation of a permanent

FOR ) unidirectional link with port 

(PORT NOT VALID) The wrong port was addressed

(SYNTAX ERROR) Syntax error in the command

parameters

(UNAUTHORIZED COMMAND) Command unauthorized for the

specific link

(INVALID PASSWORD OR Command rejected due to a

PASSWORD NEEDED) missing or invalid password

(PORT NOT VALID OR BUSY) Attempt to link to a busy or invalid

port

(NEW CONFIGURATION ACTIVE) The loaded configuration is now

active (current)

(TRANSMISSION ERROR) Communication error

(CONFLICTING MEMORY SIZE) The amount of memory specified

in the configuration does not match the amount of memory actually installed in the unit

(WRONG MPS-VIII MODEL) The wrong MPS-VIII model is

specified in the configuration.

CHAPTER 4: Configuration

Header Option

Purpose Specifies header text, activates the header (with or

without a form feed) and deactivates the header. Headers are ideal for identifying users’ print jobs, or sending printer- or modem-initialization strings.

Applies To Parallel input ports and serial bidirectional ports.

Possible Values Refer to the Usage Notes below.

Usage Notes When you select this option, a window containing a

menu is displayed. Choose from its three alternatives (listed below), then confirm your selection by entering X. The value in the port-configuration screen changes accordingly.

Header Define: Opens another window, where you type your header text. Header text can be a single line of up to 60 characters. All ASCII characters are allowed.

Header Activation: Activates the header. If you have not defined a header, the default header is used. This is PORT#, where  is the number associated with the input port being configured (1 to 12). An active header is printed at the beginning of print jobs (with or without an automatic form feed) until you deactivate it.

Header Deactivation: Deactivates the header.

NOTE

You can use headers to specify things other than text. For example, you can use a header in place of the token (see Section 7.3.3) when a command is to be applied to the second of two daisychained Multiport Spooler VIII units (see Section 7.4). For example, if the header is @@/P4@, the first MPS-VIII that receives a job forwards this header through its output port to the second MPS-VIII, which then interprets the header as the /P4 command.

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

Restriction

Purpose Enables you to permit or deny access from an input

port to an output port. You can use this option to determine who can use which peripherals.

Applies To Parallel input ports and serial bidirectional ports

used as input ports.

Possible Values X (access) or a blank (no access). The default is X.

When you select this option, this window appears:

CHAPTER 4: Configuration

Usage Notes The upper row of port numbers lists all ports in the

unit; the lower row of X’s and blanks indicates the user’s port. An X indicates the user can select the port. Use the arrow keys to move to the port that you want to change and press Enter to toggle its restriction status.

Thus, the Selected Output parameter establishes the output ports to which a user’s job will be directed, whereas the Restriction parameter establishes the output ports to which a user’s job can be directed. For example, User A inputs to P02, which has P12 as its Selected Output. P12 is attached to a printer, which is thus User A’s printer. However, P02 is granted unrestricted access to P08, an output port attached to a plotter. When desired, therefore, User A can send a job to P08, the plotter.

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

4.8 Other Main Menu Selections

Once you have established port parameters, you are returned to the main menu. If you choose, you can use the menu’s other functions to change various settings.

4.8.1 R

ESTRICTPORTACCESS

The Multiport Spooler VIII administrator can use this function to permit or deny the various input ports (users) access to parallel and serial output ports and serial bidirectional ports serving as output ports.

This function is essentially identical to the Restriction parameter on the port-configuration screen (see the entry for this parameter on page 37). The only difference is that the main-menu function gives a more global picture of output-access privileges.

When you select this function, this window appears:

Select the desired output port and press Enter to toggle its restriction status. An X indicates that the port in the same row (listed in the column on the lefthand side of the screen) has free access to the port in the same column (listed in the rown at the top of the screen). For example, in the screen shown above, Port 1 has access to Ports 2 through 8 and 12; Port 2 has access to Ports 1, 3 through 8, and 12; and so forth.

CHAPTER 4: Configuration

4.8.2 M

ODIFYPASSWORD

Use this function to set or change the Multiport Spooler VIII’s configuration password. By default there is no password. Using a password helps to prevent unauthorized users from changing the MPS-VIII’s configuration.

A password can contain up to 16 characters, including any ASCII character except “Enter,” “Esc,” “/,” and the command-start character “@”. You are required to enter the password a second time for verification purposes.

NOTE

If you have forgotten your password, refer to Section 8.1.

4.8.3 S

ELECT THE

PC P

ORTCONNECTED TO THEMULTIPORTSPOOLER

VIII

Use this function to tell MPSCONF which of the PC’s I/O ports you are using to communicate with the Multiport Spooler VIII. If you are connected through a serial port (COM1, COM2, etc.), you can change the data rate, parity, and number of stop bits. (This function has no facility for changing the data bits, because 8 data bits are required to send binary configuration information to the MPS-VIII, and we recommend the 8-data-bit setting for other serial communication.)

The window that appears when you select this function is the same window that appears when you first configure the Multiport Spooler VIII and select the PC port connected to it (see Section 4.3).

4.8.4 A

CTIVATESOUND(YES/NO

)

Use the Activate sound selection to activate or deactivate the audible signals generated when a window is opened or closed. The default setting is Y (“Yes,” activated). To change the status, use the arrow keys to position the highlight bar over the menu selection and press Enter.

4.8.5 P

RINTCONFIGURATION

If you want to print the Multiport Spooler VIII’s configuration, select the Print configuration function at the main menu. You can print the saved configuration, the revised configuration (if you’ve changed it but haven’t saved it yet), or a summary of the revised configuration.

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

4.8.6 S

AVENEWCONFIGURATION

Select Save new configuration to save a revised configuration either to the Multiport Spooler VIII’s static RAM or to a PC file:

• To replace the current saved configuration with the revised configuration, select the Change the Multiport Spooler VIII configuration option at the window that appears. You will be prompted to enter the password of the configuration being replaced. A New Configuration Active message will be displayed when the configuration is successfully stored.

NOTES

When you save a configuration to the Multiport Spooler VIII’s static RAM, the current configuration is revised immediately and the unit is reinitialized. Any jobs that the MPS-VIII was processing are lost. Therefore, do not change the current configuration during any transmissions to or from the MPS-VIII.

The Save new configuration option uses one block of the MPS-VIII’s memory to transfer configurations to the MPS-VIII. If all of a unit’s memory blocks are in use or reserved, you will not be able to save a configuration to that unit.

• To generate a file containing the configuration, choose the Save revised configuration to disk option at the window that appears. No password is

required. MPSCONF prompts you for a name; it supplies the default name NONAME, which you can change if you wish. MPSCONF automatically appends the extension .BW.

NOTE

Modifications made to a loaded configuration are not retained unless you save it either in the Multiport Spooler VIII or as a file on disk.

If your attempt to save a configuration to the MPS-VIII is unsuccessful, one of the following messages may point to the problem:

Wrong MPS-VIII Model

The type of Multiport Spooler VIII listed in your configuration does not match the MPS-VIII you are trying to save the configuration to. This is normally caused by trying to modify one of several configurations for different units saved on the same disk and choosing the wrong one. Load an appropriate configuration for the desired model, or load the configuration currently saved in the unit, and modify and save that.

CHAPTER 4: Configuration

Conflicting Memory Size

There is a conflict between the memory listed in the configuration and the Multiport Spooler VIII’s actual memory capacity. This is normally caused by trying to save a configuration to the MPS-VIII after more memory has been physically installed in the unit. First, save the revised configuration to a disk file; if this is not possible, you will have to abandon your revisions and redo them later. Use the UPDATE utility (see Appendix C) to update the configuration saved in the MPS-VIII so that it reflects the added memory. Then reload the new configuration from disk (or reload the old configuration from the MPS-VIII and redo your changes) and try saving the new configuration to the MPS-VIII again.

Transmission Error

An error occurred when the PC tried to transmit the revised configuration to the Multiport Spooler VIII. Verify that the proper cables are securely attached to the PC and to the MPS-VIII. If the MPS-VIII is cabled to one of the PC’s serial ports (COM1, COM2, etc.), make sure that the serial port’s communication parameters (data rate, parity, etc.) match those of the MPS-VIII’s input port. Note that the PC’s serial port must be set for eight data bits in order to send an MPS-VIII configuration to a PC file.

If any of these errors occurs, the configuration saved in the Multiport Spooler VIII remains unchanged, and the unit is not reinitialized.

4.8.7 Q

UIT

Use Quit to exit the MPSCONF program. If you loaded a configuration, you are asked whether you wish to save the configuration to disk or send it to the Multiport Spooler VIII for saving in its static RAM.

Alternatively, you can abandon the configuration and return to DOS.

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

5.1 The UCTP Menu and MPSDOS

This chapter explains how to install the Users’ Command Transmission Program (UCTP) and the MPSDOS print-utility software for users working in a DOS environment.

NOTE

This chapter describes software installation for users who plan to work in a DOS environment. If you plan to work in a Windows environment, refer to Chapter 6. Refer to Chapter 7 for instructions for operating the MPS-VIII with MPSDOS and the UCTP.

With the UCTP running, you can access a pop-up menu from within your applications to send control commands to the Multiport Spooler VIII, including commands for selecting peripherals. You can use these commands to do such things as specify the number of copies to print, activate a form feed, reserve a peripheral for your exclusive use, or put your submitted jobs on pause. You can also customize the UCTP menu to fit your needs (refer to Appendix E).

MPSDOS software greatly enhances the ease with which you can select a printer (or another peripheral). You can select from up to 11 printers without having to exit your application or memorize which MPS-VIII port each printer is connected to.

If you are connecting different kinds of peripherals to the Multiport Spooler VIII (for example, a dot-matrix printer, a laser printer, and a plotter), your users need to be able to select the appropriate peripheral. Otherwise, jobs sent to the MPS-VIII would go to the first available output port—4, 8, or 12—and the peripheral attached to that port might be unsuitable for the job. Therefore, you should install the software if:

1. You have two or more peripherals and need to be able to switch between them, or

2. You want to be able to send control commands to the MPS-VIII.

If only number 1 applies to you, you should install MPSDOS. If both apply to you, you should install the UCTP; if you want transparent printer selection, you can also install MPSDOS.

5. DOS Software Installation: UCTP and MPSDOS

CHAPTER 5: DOS Software Installation: UCTP and MPSDOS

5.2 The Installation Procedure

To install the UCTP and/or MPSDOS, take the following steps (refer to Section 5.3 for full details):

1. Insert the Multiport Spooler VIII’s diskette labeled “Disk 1 of 2” in one of your PC’s diskette drives.

2. Switch to that drive by typing its letter designation followed by a colon (“A:”, for example).

3. Type MPSSETUP and press Enter. The installation program begins to run.

Here are some of the keys you can use to control the installation process within MPSSETUP:

Tab To go to the next option Shift-Tab To go back to the previous option Alt- To select the option with an underlined letter () Enter To accept an entry and go to the next option Up-Arrow To move up in the option list Down-Arrow To move down in the option list Esc To return to the previous screen F1 Help F3 Exit the Installation Program

A field’s highlighted value becomes the active one. When you have finished selecting, tab to the Continue field and press Enter.

The screens that appear during installation depend on whether you choose to install the UCTP or MPSDOS or both. They are described in detail in Section 5.3.

NOTE

Only those screens that require you to enter data are shown in illustrations in this chapter. For brevity’s sake, we didn’t include pictures of screens that only require you to respond with a Yes or a No or enter other simple information. The manual does include all the relevant information about these screens.

4. Select UCTP and/or MPSDOS from the menu that appears, then press Enter.

5. Select the drive that contains the MPS-VIII diskette, as well as the drive and directory where you want the software to be installed.

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

6. Tell MPSSETUP which of the PC’s ports is connected to the MPS-VIII. If the connected PC port is a serial port, set the port’s parameters.

7. Tell MPSSETUP which MPS-VIII model is connected to the PC.

8. If you are installing the UCTP, proceed to Step 9. If you aren’t, go to Step 12.

9. Choose the UCTP menu level.

10. Decide whether or not the UCTP will function as a resident (TSR) or nonresident program.

11. Choose the video interface, set the break, set the token, and select hotkeys.

12. If you are installing MPSDOS, proceed to Step 13. If you aren’t, go to Step 17.

13. Set the redirection for each port, and (if you want to) define strings for the ports.

14. Set the timeout.

15. Choose whether or not returned messages will be verified.

16. If you want to, select a port and print its configuration.

17. Confirm the installation.

18. Return to DOS or reboot the PC.

This completes the installation process. From this point on, you should

able to select output (printer) ports from inside your applications.

CHAPTER 5: DOS Software Installation: UCTP and MPSDOS

5.3 Installation Screens

5.3.1 I

NITIALSCREEN

(UCTP

AND

MPSDOS)

Source

Enter the letter designation of the drive containing the MPS-VIII diskette.

Destination

This is the drive and directory where the software will be installed. The default C:\MPSVIII is displayed. Press Enter if this is acceptable. If you want to, enter a different drive or directory. Remember to include the drive letter before the directory name. You must install onto a hard disk.

5.3.2 PC P

ORTPARAMETERSSCREEN

(UCTP

AND

MPSDOS)

At this screen (shown below), set the parameters of the PC port connected to the Multiport Spooler VIII. The parameters must match those of the corresponding MPS-VIII port.

Port

Scroll through the values to select the port on your PC that is connected to the MPS-VIII. You can chose from several parallel (LPT*) and serial (COM*) ports. If you choose a parallel port, you are done with this screen. If you choose a serial port, you need to verify serial-communication parameters:

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

Baud Rate

The default data rate (“baud rate”) is 9600 bps. You can choose from 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, or 38400 bps.

Parity

The default parity is None. You could select Even or Odd instead.

Data Bits

The default number of data bits is 8. You could choose 7 instead.

Stop Bits

The default number of stop bits is 1. You could choose 2 instead.

5.3.3 THEU

NIT-TYPESCREEN

(UCTP O

NLY

)

Tell MPSSETUP which of the Multiport Spooler VIII models the PC is connected to.

5.3.4 THEUCTP M

ENU-LEVELSCREEN

(UCTP O

NLY

)

Use this screen to choose the type of UCTP you want to install: Default or Advanced. The two types are similar in many ways, but Advanced offers more commands. Basically, you should select the Default menu if you are using the default Multiport Spooler VIII configuration, and the Advanced menu if you have specially configured the unit (in particular, changed some output ports to input ports, or vice versa).

Default: The printer selection of the Default UCTP menu matches that of the default configuration of your Multiport Spooler VIII. The default output ports are those numbered 4, 8, and 12. The Default UCTP menu has four commands that each allow you to directly select one of these printers (for example, “Use First Printer”). With the other commands on the menu, you can:

• Modify the timeout,

• Cancel your jobs,

• Activate or deactivate form feed,

• Define and activate or deactivate headers, and

• Send a string.

CHAPTER 5: DOS Software Installation: UCTP and MPSDOS

Advanced: Instead of the “Use X Printer” command, the Advanced UCTP menu has the “Select an Output Port” command. You can use this command to choose any port on the unit by number; your jobs will go to that port (and the attached peripheral) until you change your output selection. The Advanced menu includes all the other commands of the Default menu, and also has commands that enable you to:

• Reserve a peripheral,

• Establish a temporary or permanent bidirectional link (only possible if the PC and peripheral in question are connected to the MPS-VIII through serial ports),

• Cancel links (peripheral reservations and bidirectional links),

• Activate a pause for your jobs,

• Release one or all of your jobs from pause,

• Specify the number of copies to print,

• Send a Break, and

• Broadcast a job to several output ports.

5.3.5 THEUCTP R

ESIDENCESCREEN

(UCTP O

NLY

)

At this screen, you can choose to install the UCTP as either a resident or non-resident program. If you install it as a resident (TSR, Terminate and Stay Resident) program, you need only press a hotkey combination to access it. If you install it as a non-resident program, you must enter the NRESUCTP command at the DOS prompt to run and access UCTP, or enter the RESUCTP command to make it resident.

If you choose to make the UCTP resident, the PATH statement and the command line necessary to load the UCTP as a TSR when the PC is powered up are added to your computer’s AUTOEXEC.BAT file. The command line specifies the correct command (UCTPCGA, UCTPEGA, UCTPVGA, or UCTPHER) as well as several parameters governing UCTP operation.

If you do not make the UCTP resident, only the PATH statement is added. To run the UCTP as an application when installation is complete, you must enter the NRESUCTP command at the DOS prompt. If you decide you want to load and run the nonresident UCTP as a TSR after all, enter the RESUCTP command at the DOS prompt.

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

NOTE

When loaded as a TSR, the program uses about 26 KB of conventional memory for a CGA or Hercules card and about 34 KB for a VGA or EGA card. In most cases this should not be a problem; however, installing the program as nonresident will free up the maximum amount of memory for other programs.

5.3.6. UCTP P

ARAMETERSCREEN

(UCTP O

NLY

)

This screen (shown below) requires you to enter or verify some UCTP-related information.

Graphic card

The graphics (video-interface) standard used by your computer’s graphics card is automatically displayed in this field, but you can select a different graphics standard if necessary. The supported standards are CGA, EGA, VGA, and Hercules.

Break signal

Use this field to turn the automatic Break feature (which forces any active timeout to expire) on or off. While Break is on, you can send several consecutive commands without waiting for each timeout to expire. Select the Active option to activate this feature.

CHAPTER 5: DOS Software Installation: UCTP and MPSDOS

Token

If you have more than one Multiport Spooler VIII unit interconnected in a daisychain or cascade, the token specifies which unit you are sending commands to (as opposed to through). If you are using only one unit, set the token number to “0.” If several units are connected together, set the value to the number of units through which your command must go before reaching the unit you want the command to reach. For example if you have three units in a chain, and want to send the command to the third, set the value to “2” (because the command goes through the first and second unit). Refer to

Section 7.3.3.

Hot keys

Hotkeys are your way of instantly accessing the UCTP menu when you have it resident. This field lists the possible hotkey combinations that you can select from. The default is Left Shift + Right Shift, but if you want to run another software package that must use Left Shift + Right Shift for its own purposes, you can select another of the ten different combinations available:

Left-Shift + Right-Shift

Ctrl + Right-Shift

Ctrl + Left-Shift

Alt + Right-Shift

Alt + Left-Shift

Alt + Ctrl

Ctrl + Left-Shift + Right-Shift

Alt + Left-Shift + Right-Shift

Alt + Ctrl + Right-Shift

Alt + Ctrl + Left-Shift

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

5.3.7 P

ORT-REDIRECTIONSCREEN

(MPSDOS ONLY)

Normally, a PC has a maximum of four physical output ports installed: any four of COM1 through COM4 and LPT1 through LPT3. The MPSDOS program creates a number of “phantom ports” (often called “logical ports” or “virtual ports”) numbered COM1 to COM9 and LPT1 to LPT3. At the MPSDOS port-redirection screen (shown below), you can assign (“redirect”) these phantom ports to any physical output port on the PC or on the Multiport Spooler VIII (except the PC port to which the MPS-VIII is connected). Users can direct jobs through these phantom ports to specific peripherals attached to the PC or the MPS-VIII.

To print something after you have redirected the ports, simply select a printer directly from within your DOS application. The MPSDOS driver ensures that the job is sent to the right printer. For example, suppose the physical PC port linked to the Multiport Spooler VIII is LPT1 and you have redirected the phantom COM2 port to port 6 on the MPS-VIII. When you print to COM2 from a DOS application, the MPSDOS driver sends the print job through LPT1 to the MPS-VIII, along with a string that tells the MPS-VIII to send the job to port 6.

CHAPTER 5: DOS Software Installation: UCTP and MPSDOS

In the “Redirection” column on this screen, the default for the phantom ports COM5 to COM9 is “NONE” (no redirection). Because the PC can’t have physical output ports with those names, COM5 through COM9 have no assigned output port if you do not choose to use them. Also, when a phantom port is redirected to any Multiport Spooler VIII port (“PORT1” through “PORT12”), each job earmarked for that phantom port is transmitted to the Multiport Spooler VIII with a string that causes the MPS-VIII to send the job to the chosen MPS-VIII output port.

If you select the “STRING” redirection option, another screen will appear at which you can define a character string for any phantom port. See Section 5.3.8.

The table below shows a sample port-redirection setup. LPT1 is the computer port linked to the Multiport Spooler VIII. Since phantom ports can’t be redirected to the physical port connected to the MPS-VIII, LPT1 doesn’t appear in the table. In this example, dedicated peripheral devices are directly connected to the PC’s COM1, LPT2, and LPT3 ports.

MPSDOS Redirection PC Port Type of string transmitted phantom setting that data is with output data

port output from

COM1 COM1 COM1 None COM2 PORT4 LPT1 Route data to MPS-VIII port 4 COM3 PORT8 LPT1 Route data to MPS-VIII port 8 COM4 STRING LPT1 User-defined COM5 STRING LPT1 User-defined COM6 PORT12 LPT1 Route data to MPS-VIII port 12 COM7 STRING LPT1 User-defined COM8 NONE None None COM9 NONE None None

LPT2 LPT2 LPT2 None

LPT3 LPT3 LPT3 None

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

Here’s another example. Suppose you have a Multiport Spooler VIII with three printers attached: a black-and-white laser printer on port 4, a dot-matrix printer on port 7, and a color laser printer on port 8. If you can assign three MPSDOS phantom ports to these MPS-VIII ports, you can send jobs to the attached printers from inside your word-processing application:

• PC phantom port COM4 can represent MPS-VIII port 4 (the B&W laser).

• PC phantom port COM7 can represent MPS-VIII port 7 (the dot-matrix).

• PC phantom port COM8 can represent MPS-VIII port 8 (the color laser).

5.3.8 S

TRING-DEFINITIONSCREEN

(MPSDOS O

NLY

)

You can define strings at this screen (shown below). It appears only if you select “String” at the Port Redirection screen.

Port field

In this field, select the port for which you want to define a string.

CHAPTER 5: DOS Software Installation: UCTP and MPSDOS

Before field

In this field, enter any string that you want sent before the print job.

After field

In this field, enter any string that you want sent after the print job.

5.3.8.A Entering Strings

Strings may be up to 128 characters long. To include characters that cannot be entered directly, insert their hexadecimal code (in parentheses) in the string. For example, to include the Escape character, type (1B). This would count as four characters toward the length of the string.

You can also insert a Break signal or a delay in the string. Use the following syntax for these options:

(BR) Sends a break signal to the Multiport Spooler VIII.

(DL) Generates a 500-millisecond delay when printing. To increase the

delay, insert more (DL)s. Thus, (DL)(DL) represents a 1-second delay (0.5 seconds + 0.5 seconds).

5.3.8.B Sending Strings to the Multiport Spooler VIII

Sending strings to the Multiport Spooler VIII is usually the best way to reconfigure or customize it on the fly. This usually involves embedding direct (control) commands in the strings; refer to Appendix D.

For example, if you send a print job that requires computer calculations, break times may occur during the transmission. If they do, the Multiport Spooler VIII’s timeout may be too short, resulting in mixed print requests.

To avoid this, you can change the MPS-VIII’s timeout value by defining a “Before” string to increase the delay and an “After” string to restore the initial delay value, using the /T direct command. If the timeout is initialized at 6 seconds and the timeout delay for a particular job needs to be set to 25 seconds, useful Before and After strings would be:

Before String: @@/T25@

After String: (BR)@@/T6@

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

5.3.8.C Sending Strings to Peripherals

Suppose that your application does not allow you to directly set the printer to a specific mode. By using the String option, you can send a specific escape sequence to the printer to set it to the mode you need. You can also restore the normal mode by using an escape sequence after the print job.

If you need to configure a laser printer for manual paper-feed mode, you must send the printer (as a Before string) the escape sequence required to set it to that mode. Then, to avoid any conflict with other users, set the printer back to automatic-feed mode by defining a matching After string. The Before and After strings would look like this:

Before String (1B)&l2H Manual feed

After String (1B)&l1H Automatic feed

(1B) represents the ESC (escape) character.

5.3.9 T

IMEOUTSCREEN

(MPSDOS O

NLY

)

At the timeout screen, you can set an end-of-job timeout for the Multiport Spooler VIII. The default timeout is 6 seconds, but the timeout can be set from 1 to 999 seconds. (Entering a value of zero sets the timeout to

⁄4 second [250 milliseconds].) If the timeout is set to 6 seconds, MPSDOS assumes that a job has been completed if no data is transmitted for a period of 6 seconds. Any transmission received after the timeout expires is interpreted as a new job.

Some software programs (for example, AutoCAD) perform a variety of calculations while printing or plotting. Temporary pauses during transmission may occur during these calculations. If the MPSDOS timeout expires during such a pause, MPSDOS assumes that the job has been completed, and it will consider further data to be a new job. In general, you should set the timeout long enough to ensure that a job will not be ended prematurely, but short enough not to delay future jobs. For software that transmits without interruption (for example, word-processing packages), use a timeout of 6 seconds (or longer, if your file has graphics). If you expect transmission delays, use a timeout of 20 to 30 seconds.

CHAPTER 5: DOS Software Installation: UCTP and MPSDOS

5.3.10 M

ESSAGE-RETURNVERIFICATIONSCREEN

(MPSDOS O

NLY

)

At this point a screen appears asking you whether you want the messages returned from the Multiport Spooler VIII to be checked. If you opt for this, then any time any errors are detected or a message is not received, your PC will beep two or seven times. To determine the nature of the problem, use the CHKERR program (refer to Section 8.5).

NOTE

To use this feature, you must also activate the MPS-VIII’s Return Message configuration parameter (see Section 4.7.2).

5.3.11 C

ONFIGURATION-PRINTINGSCREENS

(MPSDOS O

NLY

)

At this point a screen appears asking you whether you want to print a hard copy of the MPSDOS configuration, including the port redirection, character strings, etc. This can be useful for reference sake.

If you choose to print the configuration, a “Print Port Parameters” screen appears. At this screen, you can select the printer port that will be used to print the MPSDOS configuration. This is the same screen as the PC Port Parameters screen (refer to Section 5.3.2). If you select a serial port, set the communication parameters as necessary. Make sure that the selected port is connected to a printer.

5.3.12 C

ONFIRMINSTALLATIONSCREEN

(UCTP

AND

MPSDOS)

This screen displays all the choices you’ve made during installation and prompts you to confirm or abandon installation. To complete installation with the shown parameters, tab to the Continue field and press Enter. Alternatively, you can go to the previous screen or quit installation.

If you’re installing UCTP, the RESUCTP.BAT or NRESUCTP.BAT file, which contains the information specified during installation, is now created. RESUCTP.BAT loads the UCTP as a resident program; NRESUCTP.BAT loads the UCTP as a non-resident program.

After installation is confirmed, you are asked whether you want to return to DOS or restart the computer. To activate the installed software, you must restart the computer.

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

5.3.13 C

ONFIGURINGPORTS IN

DOS A

PPLICATIONS

(MPSDOS O

NLY

)

To complete the MPSDOS installation, you need to select the proper output (printer) ports for your application software. To do so, take these steps:

1. Run your application software.

2. Select the option in the software that allows you to change the output port.

3. Select from the list of available ports (COM1 through COM9 and LPT1 through LPT3), keeping in mind the port redirection you performed earlier (see Section 5.3.6).

4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 for all your application programs.

Your DOS applications will now print with the new parameters.

5.4 Changing MPSDOS Settings

With MPSDOS’s configuration program, you can change parameters set during installation. To load the configuration program, type CONFDOS at the DOS prompt, then press Enter.

With the CONFDOS program, you have the following options:

PC Port Parameters Modify the port parameters of the PC port

linked to the Multiport Spooler VIII. The PC Port Parameters screen appears (see

Section 5.3.2).

Assign Port Redirect any of the 11 phantom ports. The Port

Redirection screen appears (see Section 5.3.6).

Define String Define a “before” and “after” string for any port.

The String Definition screen appears (see

Section 5.3.7).

UCTP Specify whether or not the UCTP program

should be loaded automatically. The UCTP Residence screen appears (see Section 5.3.5).

Command Validation Specify whether or not returned messages are

verified. The Message-Return Verification screen appears (see Section 5.3.9).

CHAPTER 5: DOS Software Installation: UCTP and MPSDOS

Print Configuration Print the MPSDOS configuration. The

configuration-printing screens appear (see Section 5.3.11).

Modify Timeout Modify the MPSDOS timeout. The Timeout

screen appears (see Section 5.3.8).

Save Save the revised configuration.

Exit Quit the configuration program.

If you select Exit to quit the configuration program, and did not modify the configuration, you immediately return to DOS. However, if you did modify the configuration, you are prompted to save it (if you have not done so already). After saving, you are prompted to reboot your computer to make the new parameters active. If you exit the configuration program without accepting the modifications you made, or if you choose not to reboot your computer, you will return to DOS.

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

6.1 The UCTP Menu and MPSWIN

This chapter explains how to install the Users’ Command Transmission Program (UCTP) and the MPSWIN print-utility software for users working in a Windows environment.

NOTE

This chapter describes software installation for users who plan to work in a Windows environment. If you plan to work in a DOS environment, refer to Chapter 5. Refer to Chapter 7 for instructions for operating the MPS-VIII with MPSWIN and the UCTP.

MPSWIN software greatly enhances the ease with which you can select a printer (or another peripheral). You can select from up to nine printers without having to exit your application or memorize which MPS-VIII port each printer is connected to. MPSWIN and the Windows UCTP must be installed together. We strongly recommend that you install MPSWIN if your network includes more than one printer, or if you plan to add printers.

1. You have two or more peripherals and need to be able to switch between them, or

2. You want to be able to send control commands to the MPS-VIII.

6. Windows Software Installation: UCTP and MPSWIN

CHAPTER 6: Windows Software Installation: UCTP and MPSWIN

6.2 The Installation Procedure

There are two basic steps to the Windows installation procedure: running the installation program and configuring the printer ports in Windows. To install the UCTP and MPSWIN, take the following steps (refer to Section 6.3 for full details):

1. If you are in Windows, end your Windows session and quit to DOS (do not open a DOS shell).

2. Insert the Multiport Spooler VIII’s diskette labeled “Disk 2 of 2” in one of your PC’s diskette drives. Select that drive by typing its letter designation followed by a colon (“A:”, for example).

3. Type INSTWIN and press Enter. The installation program loads and runs the configuration program SETUPWIN. (The SETUPWIN screens will display the name “MPS-VIII WIN.”)

Use the same keys with SETUPWIN as you would with Windows to edit, switch between options, etc. (This program also supports the mouse.) Here are some of the other keys you can use to control the installation process within SETUPWIN:

Tab To go to the next option Shift-Tab To go back to the previous option Alt- To select the option with an underlined letter () Enter To accept all entries and go to the next screen Up-Arrow To move up in the option list Down-Arrow To move down in the option list

You can also use the icons in the lower right-hand corner of the installation screens to go one screen back or quit the installation program. The screens that appear are described in detail in Sections 6.3.

NOTE

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

4. At the initial screen that appears, tell SETUPWIN which diskette drive contains the MPSWIN diskette, as well as which type of MPS-VIII model is connected to the PC.

5. Tell SETUPWIN which PC port is connected to the MPS-VIII. If the PC port is a serial port, set parameters for that PC port.

6. Set port redirection and enter any desired character strings.

7. Choose whether the UCTP will load as a resident or nonresident program.

8. Choose the desired UCTP menu level.

9. Choose whether returned messages are verified.

10. Choose whether or not to use the Windows Print Manager.

11. Print the configuration.

12. Confirm installation and return to DOS.

13. Type WIN at the DOS prompt.

14. Open the Windows Program Manager, Main group, Control Panel, and Print Manager.

15. Choose the printer drivers whose ports you want to configure.

16. Choose “Configure” in Windows 3.0 or “Connect” in Windows 3.1.

17. Select a port from among the listed ports.

18. Exit the Control Panel when you are finished configuring the ports.

This completes the installation process. From this point on, you should be able to select output (printer) ports from inside your applications.

CHAPTER 6: Windows Software Installation: UCTP and MPSWIN

6.3 Installation Screens

6.3.1 I

NITIALSCREEN

Source

Enter the letter designation of the drive containing the MPSWIN diskette.

ModelMPSWIN;PC Port Parameters Screen Choose the type of Multiport Spooler VIII that is connected to the PC.

6.3.2 PC P

ORTPARAMETERSSCREEN

(UCTP

AND

MPSWIN)

At this screen (shown below), identify for SETUPWIN the PC port connected to the Multiport Spooler VIII. The possible choices are COM1 through COM4 and LPT1 through LPT3.

If the connected port is a parallel port, you are finished with this screen—go to Section 6.3.3. If the connected port is a serial port, make sure its parameters match those of the MPS-VIII port at the other end of the cable:

Baud Rate

The default data rate (“baud rate”) is 9600 bps. You can choose 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19,200, or 38,400 bps.

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

Data Bits

The default number of data bits is 8. You could choose 7 instead.

Stop Bits

The default number of stop bits is 1. You could choose 2 instead.

Parity

The default parity is None. You could select Even or Odd instead.

Flow Control

The default type of flow control is DTR/CTS (hardware). You could choose X-ON/X-OFF (software) or Both (DTR/CTS and X-ON/X-OFF) instead.

6.3.3 P

ORT-REDIRECTIONSCREEN

Normally, a PC has a maximum of four physical output ports installed: any four of COM1 through COM4 and LPT1 through LPT3. The MPSWIN program creates a number of “phantom ports” (often called “logical ports” or “virtual ports”) numbered COM1 to COM9. At the MPSWIN port-redirection screen (shown below), you can assign (“redirect”) these phantom ports to any physical output port on the Multiport Spooler VIII or any serial physical output port on the PC (except the one to which the MPS-VIII is connected). Users can direct jobs through these phantom ports to specific peripherals attached to the PC or the MPS-VIII.

CHAPTER 6: Windows Software Installation: UCTP and MPSWIN

To print something after you have redirected the ports, simply select a printer directly from within your Windows application. The MPSWIN driver ensures that the job is sent to the right printer. For example, suppose the physical PC port linked to the Multiport Spooler VIII is LPT1 and you have redirected the phantom COM2 port to port 4 on the MPS-VIII. When you print to COM2 from a Windows application, the MPSWIN driver sends the print job through LPT1 to the MPS-VIII, along with a string that tells the MPS-VIII to send the job to port 4.

The default redirection for the phantom ports COM5 to COM9 is “None” (no redirection). Because the PC can’t have physical output ports with those names, COM5 through COM9 have no assigned output port if you do not choose to use them. Also, when a phantom port is redirected to any Multiport Spooler VIII port (“PORT1” through “PORT12”), each job earmarked for that phantom port is transmitted to the MPS-VIII with a string that causes the MPS-VIII to send the job to the chosen MPS-VIII output port.

The table below shows a sample port-redirection setup. LPT1 is the computer port linked to the Multiport Spooler VIII. In this example, a dedicated peripheral device is directly connected to the PC’s COM1 port.

MPSDOS Redirection PC Port Type of string transmitted phantom setting that data is with output data

port output from

COM1 COM1 COM1 None COM2 PORT4 LPT1 Route data to MPS-VIII port 4 COM3 PORT8 LPT1 Route data to MPS-VIII port 8 COM4 String LPT1 User-defined COM5 String LPT1 User-defined COM6 PORT12 LPT1 Route data to MPS-VIII port 12 COM7 String LPT1 User-defined COM8 None None None COM9 None None None

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

You cannot redirect the port connected to the MPS-VIII. For example, if COM2 serves as that connection, it is not an eligible port for redirection.

Here’s another example. Suppose you have a Multiport Spooler VIII with three printers attached: a black-and-white laser printer on port 4, a dot-matrix printer on port 7, and a color laser printer on port 8. If you can assign three MPSWIN phantom ports to these MPS-VIII ports, you can send jobs to the attached printers from inside your word-processing application:

• PC phantom port COM4 can represent MPS-VIII port 4 (the B&W laser).

• PC phantom port COM7 can represent MPS-VIII port 7 (the dot-matrix).

• PC phantom port COM8 can represent MPS-VIII port 8 (the color laser).

If you click on the “Define String” button, another screen appears at which you can define a character string that will be sent before and/or after the print jobs sent from the chosen phantom port. (See Section 6.3.4.) When you define a string for a phantom port, that port is automatically set to “String” redirection mode. If later you redirect that phantom port differently (to “PORT5,” for example), the string you defined earlier will be discarded.

6.3.4 S

TRING-DEFINITIONSCREEN

Define strings at this screen. It automatically appears if you click on “Define String” at the Port-Redirection screen; otherwise it doesn’t appear.

CHAPTER 6: Windows Software Installation: UCTP and MPSWIN

Tasks that you can do with a string include:

• Redirecting print jobs to any Multiport Spooler VIII output port,

• Performing a form feed,

• Initializing a peripheral by sending an escape sequence, and

• Modifying a timeout.

In the “Port” field, select the port for which you want to define a string. In the “Before” field, enter the string you want sent before each print job sent to that port. In the “After” field, enter the string you want sent after each print job sent to that port.

6.3.4.A Entering Strings

You can also insert a Break signal or a delay in the string. Use the following syntax for these options:

(BR) Sends a break signal to the Multiport Spooler VIII.

(DL) Generates a 500-millisecond delay when printing. To increase the

delay, insert more (DL)s. Thus, (DL)(DL) represents a 1-second delay (0.5 seconds + 0.5 seconds).

6.3.4.B Sending Strings to the Multiport Spooler VIII

Before String: @@/T25@

After String: (BR)@@/T6@

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

6.3.4.C Sending Strings to Peripherals

Before String (1B)&l2H Manual feed

After String (1B)&l1H Automatic feed

(1B) represents the ESC (escape) character. (The character after the ampersand is a lowercase L.)

6.3.5 THEUCTP A

UTOLOADINGSCREEN

Choose whether you want to have the UCTP automatically loaded when Windows is loaded. If you choose to have it loaded, you only need to click on its icon on the screen or press the Alt-Tab key combination to access it.

6.3.6 THEUCTP M

ENU-LEVELSCREEN

• Modify the timeout,

• Cancel your jobs,

• Activate or deactivate form feed,

• Define and activate or deactivate headers, and

• Send a string.

CHAPTER 6: Windows Software Installation: UCTP and MPSWIN

• Reserve a peripheral,

• Establish a temporary or permanent bidirectional link (only possible if the PC and peripheral in question are connected to the MPS-VIII through serial ports),

• Cancel links (peripheral reservations and bidirectional links),

• Activate a pause for your jobs,

• Release one or all of your jobs from pause,

• Specify the number of copies to print,

• Send a Break, and

• Broadcast a job to several output ports

6.3.7 M

ESSAGE-RETURNVERIFICATIONSCREEN

At this point a screen appears asking you whether you want the messages returned from the Multiport Spooler VIII to be checked. If you opt for this, then any time any errors are detected or a message is not received, you will be notified and prompted for a print confirmation.

NOTE

To use this feature, you must also activate the MPS-VIII’s Return Message configuration parameter (see Section 4.7.2).

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

6.3.8 P

RINTMANAGERSCREEN

At this screen, you can choose whether or not to use Print Manager (the Windows software spooler). When Print Manager is active, print jobs are saved to disk and then printed to the desired output port in the background while you are working on something else. We recommend that you disable Print Manager here, because the Multiport Spooler VIII is a fast enough spooler that using Print Manager would actually slow the system down.

6.3.9 C

ONFIGURATION-PRINTING

CREENS

At this point a screen appears asking you whether you want to print a hard copy of the MPSWIN configuration, including the port redirection, character strings, etc. This can be useful for reference.

If you want to print the configuration, select “Yes.” A “Print Port Parameters” screen appears. At this screen, you can select the printer port that will be used to print the MPSWIN configuration. This is the same screen as the PC Port Parameters screen (refer to Section 6.3.2). If you select a serial port, set the communication parameters as necessary. Make sure that the selected port is connected to a printer.

6.3.10 F

ILE-COPYINGSCREEN

Select “Proceed with the installation” to copy the MPSWIN files onto your hard disk (specifically, to a Windows subdirectory named MPSVIII.)

6.3.11 I

NSTALLCOMPLETESCREEN

The last screen indicates that the installation has been completed. You must return to DOS and reload Windows to activate the programmed parameters. Select “Return to DOS” to quit the installation program.

6.3.12 C

ONFIGURINGPORTS INWINDOWSAPPLICATIONS

To complete the MPSWIN installation, you need to select the proper output (printer) ports for the printer driver within Windows. To do so, take these steps:

1. If you’re not currently in Windows, start or return to Windows.

2. Make sure the Windows Program Manager, the Main program group, and the Control Panel are all open.

3. Click on Printer in the Control Panel window.

CHAPTER 6: Windows Software Installation: UCTP and MPSWIN

4. Choose the printer driver whose output port you want to set.

5. Click on Configure if you have Windows 3.0 or on Connect if you have Windows 3.1.

6. Select the new port from among the available ones listed. Do not select the computer port linked to the Multiport Spooler VIII, because no string has been defined for that port.

7. Close the Control Panel to end the installation.

Your Windows applications will now print with the new parameters.

6.4 Changing MPSWIN Settings

With MPSWIN’s configuration program, you can change parameters set during installation. To load the configuration program, take these steps:

1. Open the MPSWIN Applications program group.

2. Select the Config program.

3. Select Parameter.

You have the following options:

PC Port Parameters Modify the port parameters of the PC port

linked to the Multiport Spooler VIII. The PC Port Parameters screen appears (see

Section 6.3.2).

Assign Port Redirect any of the nine phantom ports. The

Port Redirection screen appears (see

Section 6.3.3).

Define String Define a “before” and “after” string for any port.

The String Definition screen appears (see

Section 6.3.4).

WINUCTP Auto Specify whether or not the UCTP program

should be loaded automatically. The UCTP Autoloading screen appears (see Section 6.3.5).

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

Command Validation Specify whether or not returned messages are

verified. The Message-Return Verification screen appears (see Section 6.3.7).

Print Configuration Print the MPSWIN configuration. The

configuration-printing screens appear (see Section 6.3.9).

Save Save the revised configuration.

Exit Quit the configuration program.

If you select Exit to quit the configuration program, and did not modify the configuration, you immediately return to Windows. However, if you did modify the configuration, you are prompted to save it (if you have not done so already). After saving, you are prompted to close and then reload Windows to make the new parameters active. If you exit the configuration program without accepting the modifications you made, you will return to Windows.

NOTE

Whether you choose to return to Windows or to DOS, MPSWIN is activated the next time you load Windows.

CHAPTER 7: Operation

This chapter describes how to use the Multiport Spooler VIII, whether by itself, with its included software, or in a daisychain or cascade. The software with which you can control the MPS-VIII includes the User’s Command Transmission Program (UCTP) and the print-utility software (MPSWIN or MPSDOS) with which you can select printers or other peripherals.

NOTE

If the UCTP is not installed, and you want to know how to send direct control commands directly from the DOS prompt or embed them in a task, refer to Appendix D.

7.1 MPS-VIII Hardware Operation

7.1.1 THEMPS-VIII’SLED

While the Multiport Spooler VIII is in use, the LED indicator lights on its front panel flash. When these flash differently from the ways described in this section, the Multiport Spooler VIII might be signaling an error. Refer to Section 8.4 for a listing of error messages.

Input Ports

The port LEDs of parallel input ports or serial bidirectional ports used for input flash slowly when the corresponding port receives a command and quickly when the corresponding port receives a task (a print job). If you reserve a peripheral, the LEDs of both the computer’s port and the peripheral’s port flash until you cancel the reservation.

Output Ports

The port LEDs of parallel output ports or serial bidirectional ports used for output stay on from the time a transmission begins until one of three things happens: The port’s buffer becomes empty, the current transmission ends, or the port’s timeout expires.

NOTE

Timeouts for output ports are only required if two or more Multiport Spooler VIIIs are daisychained or cascaded together (see Section 7.4).

7. Operation

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

A reserved port’s LED flashes until you cancel the reservation. If a job directed to a port is on pause, the port’s LED flashes very slowly (once every few seconds).

Buffer Full

If the Multiport Spooler VIII’s buffer becomes full, all the port LEDs flash until space becomes available. Note that while the buffer is full, the transfer of data is substantially slower than normal.

7.1.2 D

EFAULTOPERATION

If you did not configure the Multiport Spooler VIII, did not install MPSWIN, MPSDOS, or the UCTP, and do not use control commands to control the MPS-VIII, the unit operates according to its default parameters. Jobs sent to the unit go to the first available output port (4, 8, or 12). Unless you have only one peripheral (or all your peripherals are of the same kind), this might cause problems. If it does, we recommended that you install either MPSDOS or MPSWIN (depending on whether you work in DOS or Windows respectively), and/or the UCTP, so that you and your users can select peripherals. Refer to Chapter 5 for DOS installation instructions; refer to Chapter 6 for Windows installation instructions.

NOTE

If you are in a DOS application and are sending a job to the MPS-VIII through a serial port on your PC, make sure that the PC port’s communication parameters are the same as those of the receiving MPS-VIII input port (which by default are 9600 bps, no parity, 8 data bits, and 1 stop bit).

If you are in DOS itself, use the DOS MODE command or the included

SMODE command utility to set the PC port’s communication parameters.

CHAPTER 7: Operation

7.2 Using MPSDOS and MPSWIN with the MPS-VIII

This section shows how to use the MPSDOS and MPSWIN application programs to print a document. It assumes that you have already installed MPSDOS or MPSWIN. For instructions on installing these programs, or on using them to configure ports, refer to the appropriate chapter (Chapter 5 for DOS, Chapter 6 for Windows).

7.2.1 O

PERATION WITH

MPSDOS

After installing MPSDOS, you can work with your DOS applications as usual. However, MPSDOS handles external I/O (printing, file transfer, etc.) for DOS. It does so in the background, so you can continue working undisturbed except for certain sounds you might hear:

• One beep indicates that the timeout has expired.

• Two beeps indicate that the port is busy or not ready.

• Seven beeps indicate that the MPS-VIII did not receive any command

validation.

The software package includes the CHKERR program. If you have difficulty printing, this program might indicate the nature of the problem. (See

Section 8.5 for more information on this program).

7.2.2 O

PERATION WITH

MPSWIN

After you have installed MPSWIN, you can work with your Windows applications as usual. However, MPSWIN handles external I/O (printing, file transfer, etc.) for Windows. It does so in the background, so you can continue working undisturbed.

When you launch Windows you will see a new program group (shown on

the next page) called “MPSWIN Applications.” It contains:

• UCTP

The User’s Command Transmission Program (UCTP) enables you to send direct commands to the Multiport Spooler VIII. It is discussed later in this chapter.

• Config

Config enables you to change MPSWIN parameters for Windows. It is explained in Chapter 6.

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

• Editor

Editor enables you to edit the command file UCTP.PRO used by the UCTP program. It is explained in Appendix E.Editor icon

• Help

Help is a help file that might assist you in using MPSWIN applications.

• ReadMe

ReadMe is a text file that provides information about modifications made to the software that might not appear in this manual.

7.2.3 P

RINTING ADOCUMENT

To print a document, simply use the print command of your Windows or DOS application program as usual. If you have redirected ports to obtain a wider selection of peripherals, you can select any of the peripherals listed. The redirection command, or any heading you may have defined, is sent to the Multiport Spooler VIII before the print request. The command and the print job are sent to the MPS-VIII through the computer port linked to the MPSVIII, and then redirected to the selected port. Suppose that LPT1 is the PC port linked to the Multiport Spooler VIII and that you have used MPSDOS or MPSWIN to redirect port COM3 to MPS-VIII port #12. When you print to COM3, the print request is sent out through LPT1, preceded by the command redirecting it to Multiport Spooler VIII port #12.

CHAPTER 7: Operation

DOS Considerations

If your application doesn’t support the port you want to print to (as will probably be the case with COM5 through COM9), print to a file using the port designation as the name of the file (for example, “COM5”).

Windows Considerations

DOS applications running under Windows will not use MPSWIN parameters for printing. (In other words, port assignments or redirections in DOS applications are not modified by MPSWIN.) However, if MPSDOS is also installed, DOS applications running under Windows will use MPSDOS parameters for printing.

7.3 Using the UCTP with the MPS-VIII

7.3.1 A

CCESSING THE

UCTP

7.3.1.A In the DOS Environment

If during the installation you chose to have the UCTP load automatically when the PC is powered up (that is, to install it as a resident [TSR] program), you can access it by pressing its hotkey combination on the PC keyboard. However, if during installation you decided that the UCTP shouldn’t load when the PC is powered, you can access it by typing NRESUCTP at the DOS prompt, or, if you want to load it as resident for a session, by typing RESUCTP at the DOS prompt.

NOTE

If you did not select a hotkey combination for the UCTP, the default combination is [Ctrl] + [Left-Shift].

7.3.1.B In the Windows Environment

If during installation you chose to have the UCTP load when you run Windows, you can access it by selecting its icon at the bottom of the screen in the Program Manager window. Or you can access the UCTP by simultaneously pressing the [Alt] and [Tab] keys. However, if during installation you decided not to have the UCTP load when you run Windows, you can access the program by selecting its icon in the “MPSWIN Applications” window.

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

7.3.1.C How the UCTP Looks

Here is an example Advanced UCTP menu, called from (accesssed under) DOS:

The UCTP differs in appearance depending on whether you call it from DOS or from Windows. However, both versions contain the same commands, and also a subwindow which you can use to change settings. In DOS, the default UCTP is displayed on two pages. Use the PgUp and PgDn keys to view the various pages of commands. In Windows, the default UCTP is on one page. To view and select fields, scroll down.

Regardless of which version of the menu you have, the functionality of the UCTP is the same: You select a command and press Enter. In some cases you also have to enter an argument (a value), for which you are prompted. This is explained in more detail in next section’s entries for each command.

CHAPTER 7: Operation

7.3.2 THEUCTP C

OMMANDS

For some of these commands the Parameter window is displayed after you press Enter. In this window you enter the specifics of your request. For more information about some of these commands, refer to Chapter 4, which explains these commands in the context of default settings for each port. Appendix D lists these commands in exact DOS direct-command format and provides additional information about them.

Commands marked with a single asterisk (“*”) appear only in the Advanced menu. Those marked with a double asterisk (“**”) appear only in the Default menu.

Select an Output Port*

Use this command to select an output port. Enter the number (or name, if you have defined one with the configuration program) of the port you want as your new output port in the Parameter window. Subsequent jobs will be sent to this peripheral until you change the connection again. Note that other users can also use this port/peripheral; if you want exclusive access to a peripheral, you must use either the Reserve a Peripheral or Permanent Bidirectional Link command. Refer to the entries in this section for these commands, or to the entry for the /P command in Appendix D.

Use First Printer**, Use Second Printer**, and Use Third Printer** Use these commands to select a printer/peripheral. First Printer refers to the printer connected to output port #4; Second Printer refers to output port #8; and Third Printer refers to output port #12. Refer to the entry for the /P command in Appendix D.

Reserve a Peripheral*

Use this command to reserve a peripheral (output port), so that only you (your input port) will have access to it. Enter the name or number of the output port to which the peripheral is attached in the Parameter window. The peripheral will be reserved until you cancel the reservation. You can have only one peripheral reserved at a time. (This command is sometimes also referred to as Establish Unidirectional Link.) Refer to the entry for the /L command in Appendix D. Cancel a peripheral reservation with the Cancel Link command.

*Appears only in the Advanced menu. **Appears only in the Default menu.

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

Temporary Bi-directional Link*

Use this command to establish a temporary bidirectional link between your serial bidirectional port and another serial port. Refer to the entry for the /Y command in Appendix D. The link is terminated when the timeout expires or when you use the Cancel Link command.

Permanent Bi-directional Link*

Use this command to establish a permanent bidirectional link between your serial bidirectional port and another serial port. Refer to the entry for the /Z command in Appendix D. The link is terminated when you cancel it with the Cancel Link command.

Cancel Link*

Use this command to cancel peripheral reservations and bidirectional links (see the entries for the previous commands) by sending a Break to the MPSVIII. This command does essentially the same thing as the Send a Break command. Refer to the entry for that command, as well as to the entry for the Break signal in Section 7.3.3.

Pause*

Use this command to suspend the transmission of your jobs from the Multiport Spooler VIII to peripherals. Enter a 1 to activate a pause, or 0 to deactivate a pause. Note that deactivating a pause is not enough to release jobs from pause; you must also use a Release Pause command. Refer to the entry for the /A command in Appendix D.

Release Pause*

Use this command to release your jobs from pause. Enter 2 to release the first job sent from your input port from pause, or enter 3 to release all jobs sent from your input port from pause. Refer to the entry for the /A command in

Appendix D.

Number of Copies**

Use this command to set the number of copies to be printed. You can enter up to 99 copies. This applies only to the next job you are sending; after that, the number of copies is automatically reset to 1. Refer to the entry for the /C command in Appendix D.

*Appears only in the Advanced menu. **Appears only in the Default menu.

CHAPTER 7: Operation

Form Feed

Use this command to control whether a form feed is sent after the timeout expires for each of your jobs. Note that some application software already includes this function, in which case you need not add another form feed with this command. Refer to the entry for the /F command in Appendix D.

Header Activation

Use this command to activate or deactivate a header. An active header will be printed at the beginning of each job until you deactivate it. If you activate a header but do not define it, the UCTP will use the default header for your input port. Note that if you use a header, you may also want to activate the form feed, because otherwise the header prints at the top of the first page of the job itself. Refer to the entry for the /H command in Appendix D.

Header Definition

Use this command to define the header. A window appears in which you can enter a header of up to 60 characters. Refer to the entry for the /S command in Appendix D.

Cancel Jobs

Use this command to cancel all jobs sent from your input port. Refer to the entry for the /K command in Appendix D.

Modify Timeout

Use this command to set the length of the timeout (from 1 to 999 seconds). Entering a value of zero sets the timeout to 1⁄4 second (250 milliseconds). If you are submitting a job that will involve transmission interruptions on account of calculations that need to be performed (from CAD/CAM software, for example), set the timeout to anywhere from 20 to 40 seconds. For nongraphics printing, such as word-processing files, we recommend a 6-second timeout. Refer to the entry for the /TO command in Appendix D.

Send a String

Use this command to send a string to a peripheral.

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

Send a Break*

Use this command to cause an immediate timeout (that is, to skip the remainder of the timeout) by sending a Break to the Multiport Spooler VIII, so that you can immediately send another job. This command does essentially the same thing as the Cancel Links command. Refer to the entry for that command, and also to the entry for the Break signal in

Section 7.3.3.

Broadcast*

Use this command to send a job to more than one output port simultaneously. You must specify which ports should receive the job (you can use wild-card characters to do so). Refer to the entry for the /B command in

Appendix D.

7.3.3 S

ETTINGSWINDOW

In the UCTP’s Settings window, you can enable or disable the Break signal or change the token. If you are running UCTP under DOS, you can also modify the communication parameters of the serial PC port connected to the Multiport Spooler VIII.

If you are running UCTP under DOS, open this window by pressing the Ctrl and PgDn keys simultaneously. (To close the window, press Ctrl and PgUp.) If you are running UCTP under Windows, select Settings from the menu.

PC Output Port

Under DOS, you can use this parameter to select the port on your computer that the Multiport Spooler VIII is connected to. The options are LPT1, LPT2, LPT3, COM1, COM2, COM3, and COM4. For the serial ports, the communications parameters may be included. When you enter a port, the program verifies that the selected port actually exists. If it doesn’t, your portselection command is ignored.

NOTE

Under Windows you can only view (not change) the PC port.

*Appears only in the Advanced menu.

CHAPTER 7: Operation

Token

If you have two or more Multiport Spooler VIII units interconnected, you need to set the token to a non-zero value to access the second and subsequent MPS-VIII units your peripherals are connected to. For example, if three units are interconnected in a daisychain, set the token to 2 to access the third MPS-VIII: Subsequent commands will be passed through the first and second MPS-VIIIs and processed by the third, until you change the token again. (If you have four units in a chain and need to access the fourth, set the token to 3, etc.). The token can range in value from 0 to 9, meaning that you can have a chain or cascade ten units deep (but we definitely don’t recommend this). See Section 7.4.

Break

If the Break feature is active when you send a command, the Multiport Spooler VIII immediately times out. This enables you to send another job without having to wait for the timeout on your input port to expire. A typical installation requires that the Break always be enabled. If it is turned off, you have to wait the duration of each timeout (after any job consisting of more than 256 characters) before sending subsequent commands.

Under DOS, position the cursor on the “Break Signal” item in the menu and press Enter to toggle between the Enable and Disable values. Under Windows, select either the On or Off setting.

7.3.4 E

NDINGYOURSESSION ANDCUSTOMIZING THE

UCTP (W

INDOWSONLY

)

Under Windows, if you will frequently be using the UCTP with particular settings, you can save the UCTP back to disk with those settings. If you save this altered UCTP so that it overwrites the existing version, the new settings will become the new default settings that you’ll start with whenever you load the UCTP. If you save the altered UCTP as a new file, the new settings are automatically loaded whenever you load that version of UCTP, but you can always load the original version and use the factory defaults instead.

When you are finished using the UCTP, select Exit from the Windows UCTP menu to end the session. You will be prompted for whether or not you want to save the file. If you answer yes, the altered UCTP will be saved to disk, using the filename it was loaded with, and become permanent. If you answer no, the altered UCTP is discarded and its original version remains.

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

To avoid overwriting the original version of the UCTP when you save the altered version, make a copy of the original version and give it a different filename. (UCTP files can have any filename, but must have the “.PRO” extension.) After you save the altered UCTP, you can rename the altered version and give the original version its old name back.

Users who have copied or created different UCTPs can load the version they choose by selecting Load from the Windows UCTP Menu. You will be prompted to choose a .PRO file from the list of available versions.

7.3.5 S

UMMARY OF

UCTP U

• Under DOS, run the program by pressing its hotkey combination (if it is loaded as a TSR) or by running it at the DOS prompt (in nonresident mode). Under Windows, select the UCTP icon in the MPSWIN window.

• Make sure that the token is set to 0 if you are sending a command to the closest Multiport Spooler VIII.

• Make sure that the selected PC output port is actually connected to the MPS-VIII.

• Select the command to be transmitted, and enter the parameters as required.

NOTE

For information about non-UCTP control-command transmission methods, refer to Appendix D. Refer to Appendix E for information about how to change the parameters of the DOS version of UCTP.

CHAPTER 7: Operation

7.4 Operating Daisychained or Cascaded MPS-VIIIs

If you have installed more than one Multiport Spooler VIII and connected them together in a daisychain or cascade, there are several special concerns you must keep in mind.

Firstly, you must make sure that the timeouts are set appropriately for your output ports. For single-unit installations, output-port timeouts can be set to one second, because jobs don’t have to be output until they’ve been received in full. By contrast, in multiple-unit installations the data is passed through the intermediate MPS-VIIIs immediately; any delay in a job caused by computer processing must be allowed for, not only by the input port of the destination MPS-VIII, but by the input and output ports of all units in between as well. If you have not already done so during configuration, use the UCTP’s Modify Time-Out menu command (see Section 7.3.2) or /T direct command (see the entry for that command in Appendix D) to set the timeouts of the output ports connected to other MPS-VIIIs to longer than the timeouts of the corresponding input ports on the connected MPS-VIIIs.

Secondly, to make sure that your commands (including timeout-setting commands) go to the right MPS-VIII and that your jobs go to the right peripherals, you must manipulate the token very carefully (see Section 7.3.3). For example, perhaps you have three MPS-VIIIs connected in a daisychain (one unit sending output to a second, which in turn sends output to a third), and you want to send a print job to a printer connected to Port 4 of the third unit. If the token were already set to 2 and the proper output ports on the first and second MPS-VIIIs were selected, commands and data would pass through the first and second units and be processed by the third; you would simply select Port 4 and send your job, and it would go to the right place. However, let’s suppose the token is set to 0; commands will go to the first MPS-VIII and no farther. The first thing to do is select the output port on the first MPS-VIII that is connected to the second unit. Having done that, set the token to 1 (so that the first unit will pass the command through) and select the output port on the second MPS-VIII that is connected to the third unit. Now set the token to 2, so that subsequent commands will be passed through to the third unit, and select Port 4. At last you can send your print job to the desired printer.

(When you send direct commands, you can skip the token-setting steps, because you can include the token, set to your desired number, in the command itself. See Section D.2.3 in Appendix D.)

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

Things get even trickier when you cascade Multiport Spooler VIIIs (one unit sending output to several units, each of which in turn might send output to several other units, and so on). Perhaps you have two “secondary” units connected to ports 4 and 8 of your “primary” unit, and you have two “tertiary” units connected to ports 4 and 8 of each of your secondary units. If the token is set to 2, one of your tertiary units is probably ready to receive commands and jobs, but is it the one you need? You’ll have to send test commands or data to find out, and if you need a different unit, you’ll have to set the token to 0 and start the “select port, set token” process from the top.

The token can be set to any value from 0 to 9, which theoretically allows you to build very large setups involving hundreds of Multiport Spooler VIIIs. Needless to say, however, working with even a few units can be tedious and confusing; working with more than a few is impractical at best. If you must expand, we recommend that, where possible, you upgrade to a larger MPS-VIII (24-port units are available). If this is not possible, we recommend that you expand by daisychaining rather than cascading units. If you have a very large number of total stations (users and peripherals), we recommend that you call Black Box to discuss whether a true network would be more practical for you.

CHAPTER 8: Troubleshooting

This chapter describes difficulties that you might have when you install or operate the Multiport Spooler VIII or its software, along with possible causes and solutions. It also describes various display codes and error messages you might see. Lastly, it explains how to contact Black Box and how to package and ship your unit if you can’t solve the problem yourself.

8.1 Common Concerns

The MPS-VIII is sending jobs to the wrong port.

Cause 1: You might have selected to print on the port linked to the

Multiport Spooler VIII, but that port serves as the output port for MPSWIN/MPSDOS.

Solution 1: Select a different port for your print job, or change the port

linked to the printer interface. If you are in DOS, do this within your DOS application. If you are in Windows, do this with the Printer option in the Windows Control Panel.

Cause 2: You might have incorrectly defined a string.

Solution 2: Use the configuration programs of MPSDOS (CONFDOS)

or MPSWIN (Config in the MPSWIN Applications window) to change the string.

Cause 3: The communication parameters of the PC serial port

connected to the MPS-VIII might be set wrong.

Solution 3: Make sure that the computer port’s communication

parameters match those of the MPS-VIII port.

Cause 4: You might have accidentally selected the wrong model of

MPS-VIII during software installation (an 8-port unit instead of a 4-port, for example).

Solution 4: Reinstall the software and choose the correct MPS-VIII model

at the initial installation screen.

8. Troubleshooting

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

The LED of a bidirectional serial port used as an output port starts flashing for no apparent reason.

Cause: Some serial printers use X-ON/X-OFF software flow control to

control the flow of data into their small on-board buffer. If the Multiport Spooler VIII has DTR/CTS hardware flow control enabled, it will think that the X-ON/X-OFF characters sent back to it by the printer are data characters.

Solution: Change the configuration of the Multiport Spooler VIII’s

bidirectional serial port where the printer is connected to that of a serial output port.

NOTE

DTR/CTS hardware flow control is the only type of flow control supported by DOS and all applications that use DOS to print.

There are problems printing or plotting from AutoCAD.

Background: AutoCAD drivers for serial plotters usually have fixed serial

communication parameters: 7 data bits, even parity, and 1 stop bit. (Only the number of data bits and the parity are relevant to this problem.) For example, let’s consider the following PC—MPS-VIII—Plotter installation:

The PC is connected through its serial port to one of the Multiport Spooler VIII’s serial ports. The plotter is connected to a different MPS-VIII port. The PC’s serial port, the MPSVIII’s two serial ports, and the plotter’s serial port are all configured to match the fixed AutoCAD configuration of 7 data bits and even parity. Plot data is sent from the PC through the MPS-VIII to the plotter.

In this sort of arrangement, the following problems can arise.

Cause 1: Word-processing software is installed on your PC and its ouput

is sent to a printer. The printer is connected to one of the Multiport Spooler VIII’s parallel output ports. You plan to use the existing serial connection on your PC to send AutoCAD output to the plotter and word-processor output to the printer. Furthermore, it might be useful to send AutoCAD output to the printer. So you use the UCTP to send port-redirection commands to the MPS-VIII for switching between the plotter and printer. Everything looks good on paper, but it just doesn’t work in practice.

CHAPTER 8: Troubleshooting

The problem with this configuration is that the wordprocessing software uses the 8th bit for special characters such as accents and line-drawing characters. Also, AutoCAD requires 8-bit characters when it sends plot bitmaps to the printer. The original configuration that set the serial ports on the PC and the Multiport Spooler VIII to 7 bits and even parity must be changed.

Solution 1: Configure your PC’s serial port (with MODE COM1:9600,N,8,1)

and the corresponding Multiport Spooler VIII port (with MPSCONF) to 8 bits and no parity. This will allow the word processor to print the accents and other special characters. The plotter, which is permanently set to 7 bits and even parity, will still work as usual. Use the UCTP or a command entered at the DOS prompt to redirect your PC’s output to the printer instead of the plotter. Any time you go back to AutoCAD and plot, the plotter driver will reconfigure your PC’s serial port to 7 bits and even parity. When the plotting is done, you must again use the DOS MODE command to configure your PC’s serial port for 8 bits and no parity, as just described.

Cause 2: An additional problem arises when you want to use the

AutoCAD “output to printer” option. (Note that since AutoCAD normally prints on LPT1, you must use the DOS MODE command to redirect LPT1 to COM1 [or whatever PC serial port you are using].) Suppose you have been plotting from within AutoCAD when you decide you want to use the printer instead. Because the AutoCAD plotter driver has set your PC’s serial output port to 7 bits and even parity, you cannot simply use a UCTP control command to redirect the output of the Multiport Spooler VIII to the printer. This PC serial port setting (7 bits and even parity) might alter any commands or data you send from your PC to the MPS-VIII.

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

Solution 2: From within AutoCAD, set your PC’s serial port to 8 bits, no

parity. Use the AutoCAD SHELL command to access the DOS command line, and use MODE COM1:96,N,8,1 to set your PC’s serial port to 8 bits and no parity. Return to AutoCAD by typing EXIT at the DOS prompt. You may now use the UCTP to issue a redirection command to the Multiport Spooler VIII, connecting your PC to the printer. The printer will now receive 8-bit characters properly.

If you select the AutoCAD plot feature again, the plotter driver will again change the configuration of your serial port. When you are done plotting and wish to revert to the printer, you must use the AutoCAD SHELL command again, as described above.

NOTE

See Section D.1.1.B in Appendix D for further details on the use of the MODE command.

The computer does not communicate with the Multiport Spooler VIII when you attempt to configure the unit.

Cause 1: The cable is the wrong type, is not connected properly, or is

malfunctioning.

Solution 1: Make sure that both the cable connectors on the Multiport

Spooler VIII and the PC are firmly seated. Also, check in Appendix A to make sure you are using the right cable.

Cause 2: The communication parameters set for the PC’s serial output

port do not correspond to those set for the input port of the Multiport Spooler VIII (specifically, the number of data bits is not set to eight).

Solution 2: Make sure that all serial-communication parameters of the PC’s

output port that is connected to the MPS-VIII match those of the input port on the unit. Set the number of data bits for both ports to eight.

CHAPTER 8: Troubleshooting

Several print requests are sent in a queue, or Several copies are requested for one task and none of these are printed, or

Some tasks are printed while others are not.

Cause: Redirection has probably not been set on the input port. This

means that tasks are sent to all available peripherals.

Solution: You can set up redirection to a specific output port using

redirection commands. If a name with a wild-card character has been defined, tasks may be redirected to this group of ports. These commands are described in Appendix D.

NOTE

A bidirectional serial port is considered to be available even when it is connected to a computer.

I’m unable to configure the unit because I don’t remember the new password.

Solution: Turn the Multiport Spooler VIII off and back on; when the

LED sequence starts (the LEDs light sequentially), turn it off and back on again. When the unit is turned on the second time, a coded password is printed on the first available printer port. Call Black Box to obtain the password corresponding to the coded printout.

The UCTP does not load on startup, even though I specified that it should when I installed it.

Solution 1: Edit your AUTOEXEC.BAT file and move the UCTP line to an

earlier line in the file, before any lines that call other batch jobs.

Solution 2: If your AUTOEXEC.BAT contains no calls to other batch files,

edit your AUTOEXEC.BAT and place the UCTP line later in the file.

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

I cannot communicate with the Multiport Spooler VIII.

Solution: Reset the default communication parameters on Port 1 of the

MPS-VIII by doing the following:

Turn the MPS-VIII on, and when the LED sequence starts (the LEDs light sequentially) turn it off and back on again. Port 1’s LED will flash red, indicating that the default communication parameters for Port 1 have been restored:

Direction of port: Input in the case of a parallel port, bidirectional in the case of a serial port.

Communication parameters (serial ports only): 9600,N,8,1, DTR/CTS.

Port 1’s LED continues flashing red until a task is sent to Port 1, when it will alternately flash green and be dimly lit red. You can get out of this special “reset mode” by turning the unit off and back on or by sending a new configuration to the unit.

8.2 Errors Indicated by the Multiport Spooler VIII’s LEDs

Serial Error

Description: An input port’s green LED briefly flashes on and off for about

10 seconds when a character is received during attempted transmission.

Cause: The transmission parameters of a serial port are incorrect when

a character is sent.

Solution: Use the DOS MODE command or the Windows Control Panel

to make sure that the proper serial-communication parameters are set for the PC output port connected to the Multiport Spooler VIII port where the error occurred.

CHAPTER 8: Troubleshooting

Backup Error

Description: All port LEDs rapidly flash on and off for approximately

10 seconds.

Cause 1: The rechargeable battery that backs up the RAM where the

Multiport Spooler VIII stores its configuration parameters has expired. As a result, any custom configuration on the MPS-VIII is lost.

Solution 1: You should have a new battery installed. You can, however,

continue to use the Multiport Spooler VIII, either with the default configuration, if that is sufficient, or by reconfiguring each time you turn the unit on. (Reconfiguring means using the MPSCONF program, loading the default configuration from the unit, and then modifying it, or loading and sending to the unit a configuration saved in a file on disk. Refer to Chapter 4.)

Cause 2: A backup error can also occur when you are saving a

configuration in the Multiport Spooler VIII. This occurs when the configuration has parameters that conflict with your MPSVIII model.

Solution 2: Check to make sure that the configuration is compatible with

your Multiport Spooler VIII model. Refer to Chapter 4 for configuration information.

I/O Error, RAM Error, or Internal Error

Description: All port LEDs flash continuously. (This might be just the

“Buffer Full” condition; see Section 8.3.)

Cause 1: I/O Error: Usually caused by a defective port.

Cause 2: RAM Error: No RAM is found, or a RAM error is detected.

Cause 3: Internal Error: An internal component has gone bad.

Solution: Turn the Multiport Spooler VIII off and back on. If the same

error occurs, the unit might require service. Call Black Box for technical support.

MULTIPORT SPOOLER VIII (4-, 8-, and 12-Port Models)

8.3 Non-Error Display Codes

When the Multiport Spooler VIII is being used, the LEDs on its front panel flash. This section explains what the flashing lights indicate. If they flash in a way different from those described here, the Multiport Spooler VIII may be signaling an error.

Input Ports

The port LED of a parallel input port or a serial bidirectional port used for input flashes slowly when receiving a command and quickly when receiving a task. If you reserve a peripheral, the port LEDs of both the computer and peripheral flash until you cancel the reservation.

Output Ports

The port LED of a parallel output port or a serial bidirectional port used for output stays on until its buffer is empty, or if transmission has not been completed, or the timeout on the ports has not expired. (Timeouts for output ports are required only if two or more Multiport Spooler VIIIs are connected together; see Section 7.4.) The LED of a reserved port flashes until you cancel the reservation. If a job sent to the port is on pause, the port’s LED flashes with an interval of several seconds.

Buffer Full

If the Multiport Spooler VIII’s buffer becomes full, all of the port LEDs flash until space becomes available. Note that when the buffer is full, the transfer of data is substantially slower than normal.

Restoring the Default Parameters of Port 1

If you are having difficulties communicating with the Multiport Spooler VIII, perform the following procedure:

• Connect your PC-to-MPS-VIII cable to MPS-VIII port 1.

• Turn the unit on; when the port LEDs flash sequentially, turn the unit off and back on.

Port 1’s LED will flash red once every second. The communication parameters of port 1 have been reset to their defaults: 9600 bps, no parity, 8 data bits, and 1 stop bit. The LED will continue to flash red until you send the Multiport Spooler VIII a command.

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