Black Box PI9122AE, PI9120AE, PI9123A, PI9123AE, PI9124A User Manual

1000 Park Drive • Lawrence, PA 15055-1018 • 724-746-5500 • Fax [phone]

© Copyright 1995. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved.

CUSTOMER

SUPPORT

INFORMATION

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 [phone]
Mail order: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018
Web site: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: [e-mail]

Buffer

Activity

Power

Intelligent Printer Switch

plus

Intelligent Printer Switch

plus

NOVEMBER 1995
PI9120A PI9120AE PI9121A PI9121AE PI9122A PI9122AE
PI9123A PI9123AE PI9124A PI9124AE PI9125A PI9125AE
PI9126A PI9126AE PI9127A PI9127AE PI9128A PI9128AE
PI9129A PI9129AE PI9130A PI9130AE PI9131A PI9131AE
PI9140A PI9140AE PI9141A PI9141AE PI9145 PI9146

3

FCC AND IC STATEMENTS, TRADEMARKS

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 la classe A prescrites dans le Règlement sur le
brouillage radioélectrique publié par Industrie Canada.

TRADEMARKS

AT®and IBM®are registered trademarks, and PC/XT™is a trademark,

of IBM Corporation.
Calcomp®is a registered trademark of Calcomp, Incorporated.
Centronics®is a registered trademark of GENICOM Corporation.
Diablo®is a registered trademark of Xerox Corporation.
Epson®is a registered trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation.
Hewlett-Packard®, HP®, and LaserJet®are registered trademarks

of Hewlett-Packard.
Microsoft®and Windows®are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
OKIDATA

®

is a registered trademark of Oki America, Incorporated.

QUME®is a registered trademark of DTC Data Technology.

Any other trademarks mentioned in this manual are acknowledged to be the property

of the trademark owners.

4

INTELLIGENT PRINTER SWITCH

PLUS

Eurpoean Union Declaration of Conformity

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits
for a class A computing device in accordance with the specifications in the
European standard EN55022. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a commercial environment. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception.

Operation of this equipment in a domestic environment may cause radio
interference. If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on,
the user is encouraged to correct the interference by one or more of the
following measures.

* Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna

* Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver

* Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to

which the receiver is connected

* Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help

Warning

Shielded interface cables must be used with this equipment to maintain
compliance with radio-frequency emission regulations and ensure a
suitably high level of immunity to environmental electromagnetic
disturbances.

5

NOM STATEMENT

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.

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.

6

INTELLIGENT PRINTER SWITCH

PLUS

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.

7

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter Page

1. Specifications ....................................................................................................9

2. Introduction ....................................................................................................12

2.1 Overview.................................................................................................12

2.2 Package Contents ..................................................................................12

2.3 Cable Requirements..............................................................................13

3. Installation.......................................................................................................14

3.1 Configuring Your Intelligent Printer Switch

plus

...................................14

3.1.1 Parallel Models .............................................................................14

3.1.2 Serial Models ................................................................................16

3.2 Selecting Ports for Your Equipment ...................................................16

3.3 Connecting PCs and Printers ...............................................................16

3.4 Powering On Attached Devices ............................................................17

3.5 Enabling Your Computer Ports ............................................................18

3.5.1 For Parallel Models ......................................................................18

3.5.2 For Serial Models..........................................................................18

3.6 Using the Intelligent Printer Switch

plus

................................................19

3.7 Front-Panel Indicators ..........................................................................19

4. ADMENU Printer-Control Software..............................................................20

4.1 Overview.................................................................................................20

4.2 Installing the ADMENU Software ........................................................20

4.3 Running ADMENU ..............................................................................21

4.4 Installing ADMENU for Use in Microsoft Windows ...........................21

4.5 Command-Line Options ......................................................................22

4.6 Using ADMENU ....................................................................................23

4.7 Main Menu ............................................................................................24

4.8 Selecting a Destination Printer ............................................................25

4.9 The FUNCTIONS Menu.......................................................................26

4.10 The OPTIONS Menu...........................................................................27

4.11 Direct Output of Typed Keyboard Characters ...................................28

Contents

8

INTELLIGENT PRINTER SWITCH

PLUS

Contents (continued)

Chapter or Appendix Page

5. Controlling the Intelligent Printer Switch

plus

with PC Commands...............29

5.1 Overview.................................................................................................29

5.2 The CONNECT Command ..................................................................30

5.3 The CLEAR Command.........................................................................31

5.4 The END OF FILE Command..............................................................31

5.5 Creating Batch Files for IBM PCs.........................................................32

5.6 Setting Up Default Start-of-Day Destination Ports ..............................33

6. ADMODE Serial-Port Control Utility ............................................................34

Appendix A: Parallel-Port Specifications ..........................................................36

Appendix B: Serial-Port Specifications .............................................................37

B.1 RS-232 Pin Assignments........................................................................37

B.2 Connecting to Computers ....................................................................37

B.2.1 Connecting to IBM PC and Compatible Computers.................38

B.2.2 Connecting to IBM AT and Compatible Computers ................38

B.3 Connecting to Printers..........................................................................39

B.4 Connecting to Modems ........................................................................39

B.5 Connecting to Plotters .........................................................................40

9

CHAPTER 1: Specifications

For all specifications in which the phrase “depending on the model” appears,
refer to Section 2.1 of this manual (especially to Table 2-1) for a breakdown
of features by model.

System Hardware Required — For included software: IBM PC, PC/XT,

AT, or PS/2 computers

System Software Required — For included ADMENU software: DOS 2.1

or later or Windows 3.0, 3.1, or 95;

For included ADMODE software: DOS 2.1

or later

System Memory Required — For included ADMENU software:

10 KB if installed for text only;
22 KB if installed for text and graphics;

For included ADMODE software: 1 KB

System Disk Space
Required — Minimum (ADMENU and ADMODE):

30 KB;

Maximum (all included software): 450 KB

Compliance — FCC Part 15 Class A, DOC Class/

MDC classe A

Interface — EIA RS-232 serial (DTE) or IBM PC

parallel, depending on the model

Protocol — Serial: Asynchronous only

Data Format — Serial: 7 or 8 data bits, 1 or 2 stop bits, and

odd, even, or no parity (user-selectable)

Flow Control — Hardware (DTR/CTS) or software (X-ON/

X-OFF or ETX/ACK), user-selectable

Operating Mode — Serial: Full duplex

Data Rate — Serial: 57,600, 38,400, 19,200, 9600, 4800,

2400, 1200, or 300 bps (user-selectable)

1. Specifications

10

INTELLIGENT PRINTER SWITCH

PLUS

Throughput — Up to 55,000 characters per second (cps)

per printer port

Maximum Distance — From computers to Intelligent Printer

Switch

plus

:
Distances above 33 feet (10 m) are not
recommended;

From Intelligent Printer Switch

plus

to

printers:

328 feet (100 m);

Maximum distance will be affected by data

rate and cable quality

Internal Memory — 256 KB, 1 MB, 2 MB, or 4 MB of buffer

RAM, depending on the model;

Optional 1-MB and 4-MB Memory

Expansion Kits are available (buffer can
be expanded to a maximum of 4 MB)

User Controls — Parallel models: (1) Bottom-mounted

6-position DIP switch for timeout, normal
vs. burst mode, and Port 2 direction;

Serial models: (3) Bottom-mounted

10-position DIP switches for data rate,
data format, and flow control:

(1) for Port 1, (1) for Port 2, and (1) for

Ports 3 through 6 or 8

Indicators — (6) LEDs: (1) Power, (1) Activity, (4) Buffer

Connectors — (6) or (8) DB25 female, depending on the

model:

(1) dedicated printer port;
(1) printer or computer port (user-

selectable on parallel models, auto­configuring on serial models);

(4) or (6) ports for computers only

11

CHAPTER 1: Specifications

Power — Models with “A” suffix:

From wallmount power supply:

Input: 115-VAC, 50 to 60 Hz;
Output: 9-VAC, 1.5 A;

Models with “AE” suffix:

From desktop power supply:

Input: 230-VAC, 50 to 60 Hz;
Output: 9-VAC, 1.5 A

Size — 3.2"H x 10.2"W x 5.5"D (8.1 x 26 x 14 cm)

Weight — 4.3 lb. (2 kg)

12

INTELLIGENT PRINTER SWITCH

PLUS

2.1 Overview

The Intelligent Printer Switch

plus

(IPSP) is a high-performance buffered data
switch that provides fast turnaround for multiple PC users sharing one or two
printers. Operation is fully automatic when sharing a single printer. With two
printers, ADMENU PC software (included) or PC commands let you control
operation.

The IPSP can accept data simultaneously from all the attached computers,
buffering the overflow until your printer is ready for more. It accepts data files
from each computer on a first-come, first-served basis and recognizes each as
a single printable file. It won’t start printing another file until there’s been a
break in transmission that exceeds the timeout period. Only then will the
IPSP recognize input from the next computer.

The IPSP is available in a variety of models. Parallel models are compatible
with PCs, printers, and plotters that support IBM®PC and Centronics®parallel
interfaces. Serial models support the EIA RS-232 standard serial interface.

Table 2-1 provides a complete list of all the models. Unless otherwise noted,
the information in this manual is applicable to all the models.

2.2 Package Contents

• Intelligent Printer Switch

plus

(IPSP)

• Power supply

• 3.5" ADMENU software diskette for IBM compatible PCs

• This manual

2. Introduction

13

CHAPTER 2: Introduction

Table 2-1. Available Intelligent Printer Switch

plus

Models

NOTE
Models with product codes ending in “A” have 115-VAC power adapters.
Product codes ending in “AE” have 230-VAC adapters.

2.3 Cable Requirements

FORM

ODELS WITHPARALLELPORTS

:

• PC to Intelligent Printer Switch

plus

(input ports)
DB25 male to DB25 male, all lines connected.
Cables longer than 25 feet (7.6 m) might not function reliably; you

might be able to reach or exceed this distance by using a powered
parallel extension cable (call your supplier for technical support).

• Intelligent Printer Switch

plus

to Printer (output ports)
DB25 male to 36-pin Centronics male (standard printer cable).
Maximum distance: Up to 330 feet (100 m).

FORM

ODELS WITHSERIALPORTS

:

Cable requirements will vary depending on your equipment.
See Appendix B.

Name Product Codes Buffer Size

6 Port Parallel PI9120A, PI9120AE 256 KB

PI9121A, PI9121AE 1 MB
PI9122A, PI9122AE 2 MB
PI9140A, PI9140AE 4 MB

8 Port Parallel PI9123A, PI9123AE 256 KB

PI9124A, PI9124AE 1 MB
PI9125A, PI9125AE 2 MB
PI9141A, PI9141AE 4 MB

6 Port Serial PI9126A, PI9126AE 256 KB

PI9127A, PI9127AE 1 MB
PI9128A, PI9128AE 2 MB

8 Port Serial PI9129A, PI9129AE 256 KB

PI9130A, PI9130AE 1 MB
PI9131A, PI9131AE 2 MB

Optional Memory Expansion PI9145 1 MB

PI9146 4 MB