HP M208 User Manual
M208
WORKGROUP
HUB/PRINT SERVER
Installation and Configuration Manual
Manual Version 5.5
Firmware Version 5.5
Microplex Systems Ltd.
8525 Commerce Court
Burnaby, BC V5A 4N3
P/N 79-208-100
Copyright 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 Wyndham Technologies Inc.
All rights reserved.
No part of this manual shall be reproduced, photocopied, recorded, stor ed in a r etrieval system, translated to
another language, or transmitted by any means electronic, mechanical, or otherwise, without written
permission from Wyndham Technologies Inc.
No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. While every
precaution has been taken in the preparation of this manual, Microplex Systems Ltd. assumes no liability for
errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the performance or use
of this material.
PostScript and TranScript are trademarks of Adobe Systems, Inc. DEC and Ultrix are trademarks of Digital
Equipment Corporation. Hewlett-Packard, HP/UX, LaserJet, and DeskJet are registered trademarks of
Hewlett-Packard Company. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines. SCO and the
SCO logo are registered trademarks of The Santa Cruz Operation, Inc. Sun Microsystems, and Sun
Workstation are registered trademarks, and OpenWindows, NeWSprint, NFS, Sun-2, Sun-3, Sun-4, Sun386i,
and SPARCstation, are trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. Novell and NetWare ar e trademarks of Novell,
Inc., AppleTalk is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc., NetBIOS is a trademark of International Business
Systems Corp., Windows NT, Windows for Workgroups, and Windows 95 are registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation.
This manual was written, illustrated, and produced using FrameMaker workstation publishing software.
Manual Version: 5.5
Firmware Version: 5.5
Rev: 11/95
Printed in Canada
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................i
LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................................iv
LIST OF TABLES .........................................................................v
PREFACE .....................................................................................1
Who Should Use This Manual.................................................................. 1
Organization of This Manual.................................................................... 1
General Conventions ................................................................................ 2
Computer Entry and Display Conventions............................................... 3
GETTING TO KNOW THE M208 .................................................5
Overview................................................................................................... 5
M208 Features.......................................................................................... 5
Overview of the Hub Architecture ........................................................... 8
Overview of Print Server Architecture..................................................... 9
Overview of Print Server Installation..................................................... 11
INSTALLING THE M208 ON THE NETWORK ..........................15
Overview................................................................................................. 15
Preparing for Installation........................................................................ 15
Connecting the M208 to the Network .................................................... 17
Connecting Peripherals........................................................................... 17
USING THE HUB ........................................................................19
Overview................................................................................................. 19
M208 Hub Features ................................................................................ 19
Hub Installation ...................................................................................... 20
Hub Configuration.................................................................................. 21
Monitoring the Hub ................................................................................ 24
SNMP Management Features................................................................. 28
Troubleshooting the Hub........................................................................ 28
CONFIGURING THE M208 FOR TCP/IP ...................................31
Overview................................................................................................. 31
Host Software ......................................................................................... 31
M208 Configuration ............................................................................... 35
Host Configuration ................................................................................. 42
TABLE OF CONTENTS i
CONFIGURING THE M208 FOR NOVELL ................................63
Overview................................................................................................. 63
Host Software ......................................................................................... 63
M208 Configuration ............................................................................... 64
Host Configuration ................................................................................. 65
CONFIGURING THE M208 FOR APPLETALK .........................75
Overview................................................................................................. 75
M208 Configuration ............................................................................... 75
Host Configuration ................................................................................. 75
Additional Configuration Options.......................................................... 76
CONFIGURING THE M208 FOR WINDOWS ............................79
Overview................................................................................................. 79
TCP/IP Setup.......................................................................................... 80
M208 Configuration ............................................................................... 83
Host Configuration ................................................................................. 84
M208 INTERNAL ARCHITECTURE .......................................... 89
Overview................................................................................................. 89
Destinations ............................................................................................ 89
Models .................................................................................................... 90
Variables................................................................................................. 91
Logpaths ................................................................................................. 92
I/O Ports.................................................................................................. 92
USING THE M208’S COMMAND SET .......................................93
Overview................................................................................................. 93
npsh Overview........................................................................................ 93
npsh Prompt............................................................................................ 94
User Accounts and Permissions.............................................................. 94
Redirecting Output from Commands...................................................... 94
npsh Basic Commands............................................................................ 95
npsh Command Set ................................................................................ 95
USING NPWIN ..........................................................................127
Overview............................................................................................... 127
System Requirements ........................................................................... 127
Installation ............................................................................................ 127
Print Server/Hub Configuration............................................................ 128
ii TABLE OF CONTENTS
Starting a NPWin Session With An Unconfigured Unit ...................... 128
USING THE M208’S ADDITIONAL OPTIONS .........................131
Overview............................................................................................... 131
General Options.................................................................................... 131
TCP/IP Options..................................................................................... 135
Novell Options...................................................................................... 140
Managing With SNMP......................................................................... 141
FTP Daemon......................................................................................... 146
Serial Line IP........................................................................................ 154
IP Routing............................................................................................. 157
TROUBLESHOOTING THE M208 ...........................................159
Overview............................................................................................... 159
Common Problems ............................................................................... 159
TCP/IP Problems.................................................................................. 159
Novell Problems ................................................................................... 163
AppleTalk Problems............................................................................. 167
Windows Problems............................................................................... 167
GETTING HELP WITH THE M208 ...........................................171
Overview............................................................................................... 171
Help Methods Available....................................................................... 171
Technical Support................................................................................. 172
Upgrade Procedure ............................................................................... 173
Warranty............................................................................................... 174
M208 SPECIFICATIONS ..........................................................177
Variable Definitions.............................................................................. 177
Hardware Specifications....................................................................... 179
Software Specifications........................................................................ 192
GLOSSARY ..............................................................................195
APPENDIX A ............................................................................203
Planning Your Print Setup.................................................................... 203
APPENDIX B ............................................................................207
Repeater Specifications ........................................................................ 207
INDEX .......................................................................................209
TABLE OF CONTENTS iii
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Print Server Operating Logic ...........................................10
Figure 2: M208 Diagram .................................................................16
Figure 3: Twisted-Pair Cable Pinouts ..............................................21
Figure 4: npd Overview ...................................................................54
Figure 5: M208 Jumper Settings ...................................................137
Figure 6: Sample Commercial Invoice ..........................................176
Figure 7: Parallel Port Timing .......................................................181
iv LIST OF FIGURES
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: npconfig/ezsetup Main Menu ..........................................33
Table 2: npconfig Detailed Configuration Options Sub-Menu.......33
Table 3: Model Types ....................................................................90
Table 4: UTP (RJ45) Connector Pinout .......................................179
Table 5: THICK (Transceiver) Connector Pinouts ......................180
Table 6: Parallel Port Timing .......................................................182
Table 7 PRN Pinout ....................................................................183
Table 8: 9-Pin COM1/COM2 Pinout ...........................................184
Table 9: 5-Pin Serial Device Pinout .............................................185
Table 10: LED Patterns ..................................................................188
Table 11: Run and Auto-Reset Mode Description .........................189
Table 12: TCP/IP Port Numbers ....................................................192
Table 13: Configuration Considerations ........................................203
Table 14: Data and Collision Propagation Delays .........................207
Table 15: AUI Interface (IEEE 802.3 Compliant) .........................208
Table 16: UTP Interface (IEEE 802.2 10Base-T Compliant) ........208
LIST OF TABLES v
vi LIST OF TABLES
PREFACE
Who Should Use This Manual
A system administrator or someone with a good understanding of the protocol
involved should perform the installation and configuration procedures in this manual.
Organization of This Manual
This manual covers each aspect of the M208 and contains these chapters:
PREFACE on page 1
Contents, organization, and conventions used in this manual.
GETTING TO KNOW THE M208
Description of the M208’s features and an introduction to its architecture and
installation
INSTALLING THE M208 ON THE NETWORK on page 15
Description of the M208’s network connectors and I/O ports, along with steps to connect the unit to the network.
USING THE HUB on page 19
Overview and details on installing, configuring, and troubleshooting the hub
component of the M208.
CONFIGURING THE M208 FOR TCP/IP on page 31
Overview of TCP/IP host software and in-depth details on M208 configuration and
various TCP/IP host setups.
CONFIGURING THE M208 FOR NOVELL on page 63
Full introduction to Novell host software and to the various print configurations
available with all versions of NetWare.
CONFIGURING THE M208 FOR APPLETALK on page 75
Description of a full AppleTalk setup.
CONFIGURING THE M208 FOR WINDOWS on page 79
Explanation of print setups in a Windows NT, Windows 95, and WfW environment.
.
on page 5
PREFACE: Who Should Use This Manual 1
?
unit
host
M208 INTERNAL ARCHITECTURE on page 89
Explanation of the M208’s internal operating architecture and logic.
USING THE M208’S COMMAND SET on page 93
Full reference section based on the M208’s command set.
USING NPWIN on page 127
Explanation of using NPWin to configure and manage the M208.
USING THE M208’S ADDITIONAL OPTIONS on page 131
Introduction to some of the print enhancements provided by the M208.
TROUBLESHOOTING THE M208 on page 159
Helpful hints and steps to consider when you run into problems in any print setup.
GETTING HELP WITH THE M208 on page 171
Information on Microplex’s service and support procedures including Technical Support, upgrading, and warranty.
M208 SPECIFICATIONS on page 177
Full details about the M208’s hardware and software specifications.
A
B
GLOSSARY on page 195
C
Definitions of words, abbreviations, and acronyms used in this manual.
APPENDIX A on page 203
Useful information on setting up your printing environment.
APPENDIX B on page 207
Repeater specifications.
General Conventions
These are some of the conventions followed in this manual:
• At the bottom of each page is the name of the chapter, the section, and the page
number.
• The header contains an icon to represent which chapter you are currently reading.
• Names of other publications and references to other sections in this manual are in
italics.
2 PREFACE: General Conventions
Caution
Cautions are indicated to warn of any undesirable effects an action may cause.
Note
Notes are added to make you aware of certain steps or considerations, and sometimes
to provide tips or suggestions.
Computer Entry and Display Conventions
Command syntax and examples are formatted as follows:
• The Courier font in boldface indicates command entries.
$ ping ftp.microplex.com
• Regular Courier font indicates displayed results.
ftp.microplex.com is alive
• Arguments separated by the or symbol ( | ) mean that a choice must be made.
list default com1|com2
• Square brackets [ ] around something indicates that it is optional.
set sysinfo name [
• Command names, entries, and example references are bold along with directories
and file names. Boldface is also used if emphasis is needed.
Enter npwrite when you see...
namestring
]
sends data to the M208 named spike...
• Variable values are shown in italics both in command syntax, output, and in text.
ping
ipname
ipname
is alive
Please enter the ipname at the prompt.
• Italics are also used for emphasis.
PREFACE: Computer Entry and Display Conventions 3
4 PREFACE: Computer Entry and Display Conventions
GETTING TO KNOW THE M208
Overview
The purpose of this chapter is to get you acquainted with the M208. It contains an
overview of the M208’s features, an overview of the Hub’s architecture, an overview
of the Print Server’ s architecture, and an ov erview of basic Print Serv er installations in
each of the supported environments.
M208 Features
With the Microplex M208 Workgroup Hub/Print Server, you can easily expand your
network and locate laser printers, dot matrix printers, plotters, and other peripherals
anywhere on the LAN rather than attaching them directly to a host system. Installation
is also quick and simple in any of the supported environments.
Hub/Remote Access Features
• auto-discovery/auto-senses when a device is connected to a port,
• automatically detects network collisions,
• automatically segments a port when the port experiences excessi ve collisions or
other undesirble Ethernet activity,
• duplicate address protection: if two units have the same address, both ports are
automatically segmented,
• any port can be used as the network connection or to cascade M208s,
• automatic reverse receive parity to correct miswiring,
• extensive monitoring and status reports via the npsh command set,
• SNMP management via MIB II and custom MIBs,
• SLIP support on the serial ports for dial-up or leased line remote access to the
local network
• NPWin for Windows-based configuration and management,
GETTING TO KNOW THE M208: Overview 5
Print Server Features
General Features
• one high-speed, IEEE 1284-I compliant parallel port,
• four-speed parallel port to support any peripheral, slow or fast,
• two serial ports,
• multi-level configuration security through passwords and permission levels,
• SNMP support through MIB II, custom MIBs, and custom traps to aid in
network management,
• multiple printer destinations for printing flexibility,
• load-balancing so a job can be redirected to an idle printer instead of waiting for
a particular one to free up,
• the choice to disable selected Print Server services,
• extra printing functionality such as carriage return insertion to remove some of
the processing burden from the host,
• banner/trailer page generation,
• autosensing of job/file format for ASCII to PostScript conversion or for
automatic switching of the printer’s emulation mode,
• header and trailer strings to instruct printers in tray selection, font, pitch,
simplex/duplex, and other options,
• logging to keep track of job, user, page count, checksum, and printer error
information,
• TCP/IP syslog and SMTP (email) support for additional logging functionality,
• backchanneling for printers to send various PostScript messages about: print-job
status, paper out, paper jam, busy, toner out, etc. back through a serial port,
• queuing of all print jobs on LANs or WANs, while supporting up to four printers
simultaneously ,
TCP/IP Features
• further configuration security through TCP access lists,
• scrambled print job data to protect the job as it passes over the network,
6 GETTING TO KNOW THE M208: M208 Features
• ability to telnet and ping to another host on the network from the M208 allowing
for terminal server capabilities,
• up to 256 simultaneous TCP connections,
• GOSIP RFC-1042 support,
• IP Routing support for communications over separate networks,
• FTP daemon support for printing, unit monitoring, and configuration,
• SLIP support for serial port network communications,
• IP packet fragmentation support,
Novell Features
• support for all versions of NetWare, including NetWare 4,
• simultaneous support of multiple Novell frame types,
• encrypted password support,
• queueing on up to 32 queues over 16 file servers,
• ability to add a preferred Novell file server list,
• automatic frame type sensing of all Novell frame types,
AppleTalk Features
• quick printer setup through the Chooser,
• ability to disable certain print destinations on the M208 so they don’t all appear
in the Chooser,
• configurable AppleTalk zones,
NetBIOS Features
• NetBIOS over TCP/IP support for Windows NT, Windows 95, and Windows
for Workgroups (WfW),
• simple printer setup,
GETTING TO KNOW THE M208: M208 Features 7
Printer Support
The M208 is compatible with PC’s, UNIX systems, Macintosh computers, minis, and
mainframes as long as at least one of the following is present:
TCP/IP
• an LPR client to interact with our Line Printer Daemon on the unit,
• an RSH client (i.e. rsh, remsh, rcmd) to interact with our RSH Daemon,
• the ability to print directly to a TCP port number on our unit; we have a TCP port
number mapped to each I/O port on the unit by default (i.e. com1 is 4000),
Other
• NetWare support,
• AppleTalk over EtherTalk support,
• NetBIOS over TCP/IP support,
For a listing of the printing standards supported, please see Standards Supported on
page 193.
Overview of the Hub Architecture
The M208 includes a fully managable eight port Ethernet hub. Hubs are stable network devices that perform signal regeneration (including amplification, symmetry,
and retiming), packet forwarding, and routing. When a hub is presented with a data
signal, it automatically regenerates and transmits the data signal to all the other hub
ports without any modification to the signal.
The M208 has a total of nine Ethernet ports, eight 10Base-T (RJ45) and one AUI port.
Any port on the M208 can serve as the network connection for the unit.
Very little configuration is required for the hub as it becomes fully operational as soon
the the unit is powered up. To install the hub, simply attach it to the network and connect other Data Terminal Devices (DTEs) to it.
For more information on hub installation and configuration please see USING THE
HUB on page 19.
8 GETTING TO KNOW THE M208: Overview of the Hub Architecture
Overview of Print Server Architecture
This section will provide an overview of how the M208’s Print Server component
works. To better understand this, it is important to understand I/O ports, destinations
and models.
I/O Ports
The M208 has three I/O ports; one parallel and two serial ports. Printers can be
attached to any or all of the three I/O ports. Each I/O port has an internal queuing
mechanism that automatically queues print jobs on a first-come, first-serve basis even
if the print jobs come from different network environments (e.g. Novell and TCP/IP).
Destinations
When you send a print job to the Print Server, the print job doesn’t go directly to an
I/O port but first goes to a destination. A destination can be thought of as logical place
on the M208 to send print jobs. Each destination has an I/O port and a model (see
below) associated with it. The purpose of our destinations is to allow you the ability to
configure a number of different print setups on the Print Server.
There are six pre-defined destinations on the M208 and each of them, by default, is
associated to one of the three I/O ports on the unit (two destinations per I/O port). By
default, the destinations have names such as d1prn, d2com1, d3com2, etc. If you like,
any of these destination names can be changed to be something more meaningful.
Models
Each destination on the unit also has a model associated with it. The six models (one
per destination) can be thought of as a series of mini-filter that can do special processing to the print job data. For example, a model can be set up to do such things as
ASCII to PostScript conversion (a2ps) or carriage return insertion (onlcr).
By default, all six models on the M208 are initially set up to be raw. When raw, they
simply pass data through to the I/O port untouched. By default, the models are named
m1 through to m6 but can be changed to be something more meaningful.
Models only need to be reconfigured when you want to do special processing to all the
print jobs that are sent to a particular destination.
GETTING TO KNOW THE M208: Overview of Print Server Architecture 9
Summary
When you are doing a print setup, you must direct print jobs to a particular destination
which is mapped to an I/O port to which the printer(s) is attached. The destination’s
associated model is then used for any extra processing of the data, if required. Each
I/O port has an internal queuing mechanism that automatically queues print jobs on a
first-come, first-serve basis.
For more information on I/O ports, destinations, and models, please see M208 INTER-
NAL ARCHITECTURE on page 89.
Figure 1: Print Server Operating Logic
TCP/IP
host
Novell
host
Mac
host
NT
host
WfW
host
M208 Workgroup Print Server
Model
m1
banner/trailer page
header string
Destination
d1prn
d2com1
.
.
.
d6com2
This example follows a print job sent to destination
d1prn
is associated with modelm1 and the I/O port
When the data is passed through the associated model, any job
processing specified by the model is performed on the data.
If no additional processing is specified, the data is passed
through to the I/O port untouched.
trailer string
CR insertion (onlcr)
tab expansion (xtab)
ASCII to PostScript
descrambling
printer switching
m2
.
.
.
m6
d1prn.
prn
.
PRN I/O port
COM1 I/O port
COM2 I/O port
printer
printer
printer
10 GETTING TO KNOW THE M208: Overview of Print Server Architecture
Overview of Print Server Installation
Not
This section will provide an overvie w of the basic steps required to install the M208 in
the various supported environments: Unix, Novell (PSERVER and RPRINTER), NetBIOS over TCP/IP, and AppleTalk.
e
Before installing the M208, it may be useful to look at Appendix A, Planning Your
Print Setup on page 203 for advantages/disadvantages of various configuration
options.
Basic Unix Configuration
The following outlines the basic steps required to add a M208 to a Unix
network.
Once the unit is physically attached to the network, you need to:
1 Assign an IP address, netmask, and possibly a default router to the M208. This
can be done in several ways:
• automatically with ezsetup or npconfig (Option 1 from the Main Menu).
Please see page 36.
• manually through the network using ARP. Please see page 37.
• manually through the network using RARP. Please see page 38.
• manually through the network using BOOTP. Please see page 39.
• manually through the COM port. Please see page 40.
2 Configure the print setup on the host to print to this unit. This can be done in sev-
eral ways depending on your host system.
• automatically with ezsetup or npconfig (Option 2 from the Main Menu)
Please see page 36.
• manually for a BSD Unix environment. Please see page 47.
• manually for a System V Unix environment. Please see page 51.
• manually for a AIX Unix environment. Please see page 59.
GETTING TO KNOW THE M208: Overview of Print Server Installation 11
Basic Novell Configuration
PSERVER Setup
The following outlines the basic steps required to add a M208 to a Novell network
using a PSERVER setup and applies to any Netware version. The M208 replaces a
dedicated workstation running PSERVER.EXE or PSERVER.NLM so these are no
longer needed.
Once the unit is physically attached to the network, you need to:
1 Enter into a PCONSOLE session. PCONSOLE is used for the entire print setup.
2 Create a new queue.
3 Create a new print server. The name will be is M_xxxxxx where xxxxxx is the last
six digits of the Ethernet address as found on the bottom of the unit.
4 Add a new printer and type in the name of one of the eight default destinations on
the unit. (e.g. d1prn, d2com1,etc.) At the prompt for the type field, select
DEFINED ELSEWHERE. If this is not available, choose PARALLEL.
5 Associate this printer with the queue defined in Step 2.
6 Reboot the M208 and wait about a minute for it to connect to the file server.
RPRINTER Setup
The following outlines the basic steps required to add a M208 to a Novell network
using a RPRINTER setup and applies to any Netware version. The M208 interacts
with an existing PSERVER running PSERVER.EXE or PSERVER.NLM.
Once the unit is physically attached to the network, you need to:
1 Enter into a PCONSOLE session.
2 Create a new queue.
3 Select an existing PSERVER and define a new remote printer. The printer name
can be anything but the type must be REMOTE OTHER/UNKNOWN.
4 Associate this printer with the queue created in step 2.
5 Exit PCONSOLE.
6 Restart PSERVER. (e.g. PSERVER.NLM)
7 Go to SYS:\LOGIN and create a directory named M_xxxxxx where xxxxxx is the
12 GETTING TO KNOW THE M208: Overview of Print Server Installation
last six digits of the Ethernet address as found on the bottom of the unit.
8 Inside this directory, create a file called CONFIG.
9 Enter the line:
name
where pservername is the existing PSERVER’s name, printernumber is the
defined number for this printer in that PSERVER, and destname is a M208 destination (e.g. d1prn, d3com2, etc.).
10 Reboot the Print Server and wait about a minute for it to connect to the file server.
For more information on Novell PSERVER or RPRINTER configuration, please see
CONFIGURING THE M208 FOR NOVELL on page 63.
Basic Windows Configuration
The following outlines the basic steps required to add a M208 to a Windows NT Version 3.5 network using the LPR print method.
Once the unit is physically attached to the network, you need to:
1 Ensure that the appropriate network software is installed on your host system. In
the Network Settings dialogue box, make sure you see these in the Installed Net-
work Software scroll box:
• MS TCP/IP Printing
• TCP/IP Protocol
• Simple TCP/IP Service
2 Make sure your workstation has an IP address and netmask.
set rprinter add
pservername printernumber dest-
3 Assign an IP address and netmask to the M208. Use a PC or terminal connected to
the Print Server’ s serial port to do this. Please seeManual Configuration Through
the COM Port on page 40 for information on completing this step.
4 On your NT workstation, select the Print Manager.
5 Select Create a Printer from the Printer menu.
6 Define the printer name and driver. In the Print to field, select Other...
7 Choose LPR port from the displayed list and select OK.
8 Enter in the name or IP address of the Print Server.
9 Fill in the destination on the Print Server and select OK. The destination will be
GETTING TO KNOW THE M208: Overview of Print Server Installation 13
the name of one of the eight default destinations on the unit. (e.g. d1prn, d3com2,
etc.)
For more information on NetBIOS over TCP/IP configurations, please see CONFIG-
URING THE M208 FOR WINDOWS on page 79.
Basic AppleTalk Configuration
The following outlines the basic steps required to add a M208 to an AppleTalk network.
Note
Example
An AppleTalk setup does not require any Print Server configuration; the network
parameters are automatically configured for you once the M208 is booted on the network.
Once the unit is physically attached to the network, you need to:
1 Select Chooser from the Apple Menu.
2 Select the Laserwriter icon.
A list of available printers will appear. By default, the format of each name is
M208name_papname
where M208name is the name of the M208 and papname is
an M208 I/O port. Both names are configurable.
M_000BF5_prn
is the printer associated with the M208 named M_000BF5 using the parallel port.
3 From the list of printers, select one to print to.
For more information on AppleTalk configurations, please see CONFIGURING THE
M208 FOR APPLETALK on page 75.
14 GETTING TO KNOW THE M208: Overview of Print Server Installation
INSTALLING THE M208 ON THE NETWORK
Overview
The first step of your M208 setup is to attach it to the network. This section tells you
how to do that and also covers the M208’s network interfaces.
Preparing for Installation
Before unpacking and installing the hardware, read the FCC Warning.
FCC Warning
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy.
If it is not installed and used as directed in this manual, interference to
radio communications may result. The equipment has been tested and
found to comply with the limits for a Class A computing device
pursuant to Subpart B of Part 15 of FCC rules, which are designed to
provide reasonable protection against such interference when operated
in a commercial environment. Operation of this equipment in a
residential area is likely to cause interference. In such a case the user
will be required to correct the interference at the expense of the user.
Unpacking the M208
Before unpacking the M208, check the package for any obvious damage resulting
from mishandling. If the outside box is damaged, open it and check for any damage to
the contents. Immediately report any damage to the shipping company.
Unpack the M208 and check the contents and serial numbers against the packing slip.
Immediately report any errors or shortages to your vendor. If everything is in acceptable order, fill out the Warranty Registration/Customer Survey card and mail it in.
INSTALLING THE M208 ON THE NETWORK: Overview 15
Site Requirements
Environment
Prepare to install the M208 in a clean, well-ventilated environment protected from
extremes of temperature, humidity, mechanical shock, or vibration. Provide enough
space at the front and back of the unit for cable connections.
Location
Prepare to install the M208:
• within four meters (13 feet) of a grounded 115 or 230 VAC outlet,
• within five meters (15 feet) of any device connected to the parallel port (PRN)
• within 15 meters (50 feet) of any device connected to the serial ports (COM1 or
COM2).
Grounding, Power, and Connection
Ensure that the electrical outlet is properly grounded.
Power is supplied to the M208 from an external transformer through a two-meter (six-
foot) output cord to a 6 position mini din. The external transformer connects through a
two-meter (six-foot) line cord to a 3-prong 115 or 230 VAC outlet.
Figure 2: M208 Diagram
M208 Front View
M208 WORKGROUP HUB / PRINT SERVER
COLACTNETERRSTATPOWER
M208 Rear View
POWER
16 INSTALLING THE M208 ON THE NETWORK: Preparing for Installation
86543217
TRANSCEIVER
Connecting the M208 to the Network
To connect the M208 to the network:
1 Connect Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) and other hubs/backbone to the appro-
priate ports (10Base-T or AUI port). Please see Hub Installation on page 20 for
further details.
1 Connect peripherals to the appropriate I/O ports. Please see Connecting Peripher-
als on page 17 for details on each of the M208’s I/O ports.
2 Unpack and plug in the power supply. The connector plugs into the back of the
M208. Watch the lights on the from panel of the M208 as they cycle through the
power-on self test. When the test is complete, the PO WER light is on and STAT is
flashing.
Connecting Peripherals
A maximum of three devices can be attached to an M208’s I/O ports at the same time;
one on the parallel port and two on the serial ports.
Parallel Port Connections (PRN)
One 25-pin female DB-25S connector with an IBM PC compatible pinout are provided on the rear panel for connection to a printer using a parallel port. This port can
be configured with various parameters depending on the attached printer. These
parameters include:
• ackmode for printers (usually non-laser printers) that use the
trigger of next data transfer rather than the BUSY signal,
• autofeed for printers (usually non-laser printers) that require the
be asserted,
• bbmode for simulating an attached printer,
• fastmode for high performance parallel interfaces that can handle an increased
transfer rate,
• slowmode for slower parallel interfaces which require slower transfer rates.
•vslowmode for printers that require ever slower data transfer rates.
INSTALLING THE M208 ON THE NETWORK: Connecting the M208 to the Network 17
ACK signal for the
AUT OFD line to
Please see list prn on page 100, set prn on page 112, and PRN Pinout on page 183.
Serial Port Connections (COM1, COM2)
Two 9-pin male DE-9P connectors with IBM PC AT compatible pinouts are provided
for connection to printers using serial ports. Each of these ports have various parameters which control such things as:
• parity selection, generation, and detection,
• hardware flow control,
• software flow control,
• character description.
For more information, please see list com1|com2 on page 98, set com1|com2 on page
105, and 9-Pin COM1/COM2 Pinout on page 184.
Note
For best performance, connect RXD lines (Pin 2) to ground on cables connected to
equipment that do not drive the transmit data signal (i.e. some printers). This will prevent induced noise from being processed as data.
You have now completed the basic installation of the M208 onto the network and now
it must be configured for use. Please continue with the appropriate chapters for information pertaining to the hub component of the unit and for information pertaining to
configuring the M208 for your particular environment:
• USING THE HUB on page 19,
• CONFIGURING THE M208 FOR TCP/IP on page 31,
• CONFIGURING THE M208 FOR NOVELL on page 63,
• CONFIGURING THE M208 FOR APPLETALK on page 75,
• CONFIGURING THE M208 FOR WINDOWS on page 79.
18 INSTALLING THE M208 ON THE NETWORK: Connecting Peripherals
USING THE HUB
Overview
The M208 Workgroup Hub/Print Server includes a fully managable and intelligent
eight port Ethernet hub. Hubs (or multi-port repeaters) are stable network de vices that
perform signal regeneration (including amplification, symmetry , and retiming), packet
forwarding, and routing. When a hub is presented with a data signal, it automatically
regenerates and transmits the data signal to all the other hub ports without any modification to the signal.
Very little configuration is required for the hub as it becomes fully operational as soon
the unit is powered up.
M208 Hub Features
The following is a list of features for the hub component of the M208:
• auto discovery/auto-sensing: the M208 automatically senses when a device is
connected to a port and begins transmitting data signals to that port,
• auto-port segmentation: the hub will automatically segment a port when the port
experiences excessive collisions or sends extremely long (illegal) Ethernet
packets,
• intelligent segmentation recovery: if a port becomes segmented due to undesirable
Ethernet activity, the port will automatically return to normal operation when the
undesirable activity disappears,
• collision detection: when two nodes try to transmit data at the same time, the
M208 will transmit a jam signal telling the nodes that a collision has occurred.
Once the collision condition is removed, the M208 terminates the jam signal and
resumes normal operation,
• cascading hubs: any port can be used to cascade M208s,
• automatic reverse recei ve parity to correct miswiring: the M208 can automatically
reverses the polarity of the receive pair if it senses the parity to be incorrect,
• configuration and management in a Windows environment using NPWin,
USING THE HUB: Overview 19
• full hub monitoring capabilities using the npsh command set,
Not
• remote network management via private MIBs: the M208’s private MIB file
contains all the variables and traps required to manage the hub using an SNMP
manager,
Hub Installation
You can use any of the network ports to connect the M208 to computers, to other
hubs/backbone, or to other Data Terminal Equipment (DTE).
Connectors
The M208 has 9 network connectors: eight 10Base-T (RJ45) connectors, and one A UI
connector.
Cable Requirements for Connecting to the Backbone or to Other Hubs
To connect the M208 to the backbone or to another hub, a crossed-over cable is
required unless port #1 is used, then a straight through cable can be used as long as the
switch next to the port is set accordingly. By default, the switch is set to accept a
straight-through cable.
Cabling Requirements for Connecting to DTE’s
To connect other DTE’s to the M208, a straight-through cable is required unless port
#1 is used, then a crossed-over cable can be used as long as the switch next to the port
is set accordingly.
For the pinouts of the twisted-pair cable, please see Twisted-Pair Cable Pinouts on
page 21. For the pinouts of the A UI cable, please see THICK (Transceiver) Connector
Pinouts on page 180.
e
Port #1 is the only port that can be set (using the external switch) to accept either a
crossed-over or straight-through cable. Ports #2-8 are internally crossed-over.
20 USING THE HUB: Hub Installation
Figure 3: Twisted-Pair Cable Pinouts
Not
Twisted-Pair Straight-Through Cable
M208 End DTE End
Signal Pins SignalPins
Receive + 1 1 Transmit +
Receive - 2 2 Transmit Transmit + 3 3 Receive +
Transmit - 6 6 Receive -
Twisted-Pair Crossover Cable
M208 End
Signal Pins SignalPins
Receive + 1 6 Transmit Receive - 2 3 Transmit +
Transmit + 3 2 Receive Transmit - 6 1 Receive +
Hub Configuration
The hub component of the M208 becomes fully operationable as soon as the unit is
powered up and thus very little configuration is required. However, to facilitate communications with the M208 and to utilize the M208’s print server capabilities, it is
necessary to configure the unit with an IP address.
Other hub configuration options as well as the npsh commands to perform the configuration are detailed below. All hub configuration can also be performed using the
included NPWin software utility included with the M208.
e
In order to use the print server functions of the M208, an IP address must be config-
Backbone/Hub End
USING THE HUB: Hub Configuration 21
ured on the unit.
NoteNot
Configuring the M208 with an IP address
There are a number of ways to configure the M208 with an IP address, either automatically with a shell script or manually.
Please see Computer-aided Configuration with ezsetup or npconfig on page 36, Man-
ual Configuration Through the Network with ARP on page 37, Manual Configuration
Through the Network with RARP on page 38, Manual Configuration Through the Network with BOOTP on page 39, or Manual Configuration Through the COM Port on
page 40, or USING NPWIN on page 127 for step-by-step instructions.
Enabling/Disabling a Port
This feature allows you to manually enable or disable a particular port. By default, all
ports are enabled and the M208 will auto-sense when a device is connected to the port
and will start sending data signals to the port.
A port that has been manually disabled will not auto-sense when a device is attached
to it. You must manually enable any port that has been manually disabled before autosensing will work.
To disable a particular port, please follow the steps below:
1 Login to the M208 as a root user.
2 At the npsh prompt, type the following command:
config hub [
portnum
] [-]enable
where portnum is the number between 1 and 9 of the port that you want to disable.
e
The config hub command stores the configuration setting to EEPROM and automatically resets the unit.
Enabling/Disabling Link Integrity on a 10Base-T Port
This feature allows you to stop a port from generating a link integrity signal. This signal informs a hub of the presence of a device connect to it over a twisted-pair cable
and of the integrity of that link. By default, link integrity is enabled on all ports.
If you have a non-10Base-T product connected to the hub, you may need to disable the
link integrity on that particular port or else the port will experience excessive collisions and auto-partion itself.
22 USING THE HUB: Hub Configuration
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