Protocols And Emulations - IBM 6400 Setup Manual

Input Paper Shelf:
Pedestal model only. Provides a shelf to hold a box of paper or forms.
This is a convenient feature if you need to move the printer often.

Protocols and Emulations

A protocol is a set of rules governing the exchange of information between
the printer and its host computer. These rules consist of codes that
manipulate and print data and allow for machine-to-machine communication.
A printer and its host computer must use the same protocol. As used in this
manual, protocol and emulation mean the same thing.
Most impact printers use single ASCII character codes to print text, numbers,
and punctuation marks. Some characters, both singularly and in groups are
defined as control codes. Control codes instruct the printer to perform
specific functions, such as underlining text, printing subscripts, setting page
margins, etc. The main difference between most printer protocols is in the
characters used to create control codes and the ways in which these
characters are formatted.
When the printer executes the character and control codes of a particular
printer protocol, it is "emulating" that printer. If the printer uses the
Proprinter III XL protocol, for example, it is emulating an IBM Proprinter III
XL printer. If the printer is using the Epson FX printer protocol, for example,
we can also say it is in Epson FX emulation mode.
There are additional emulations that are provided as optional features, such
as the IGP and Code V emulations. For additional information, refer to
Appendix D and the related documents listed in the section that begins on
page 1–3.
1–12 6400 Line Matrix Printers Setup Guide, Cabinet and Pedestal Models