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M305 Print Server Quick Installation and Configuration Guide Manual Version 1.0 For firmware version 1.0 Microplex Systems Ltd. 8525 Commerce Court Burnaby, B.C. V5A 4N3 http://www.microplex.com/ P/N 79-305-100...
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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.
MANUAL OVERVIEW ..........1 PDF File Index..............1 Documentation Conventions..........2 M305 INTRODUCTION..........3 Overview................3 What is the M305? ...............3 How Does the M305 Work? ..........4 Product Features ..............5 M305 INSTALLATION ..........7 Overview................7 Unpacking the M305 ............7 Attaching to the Network.............8 CONFIGURATION TOOLS........
MANUAL OVERVIEW MANUAL OVERVIEW This manual describes the installation and configuration of an M305 on your network. It describes a basic setup for each supported network environment. For more detailed information about configuration and management, please see the Portable Document Format (PDF) files available on the CD ROM supplied with the M305 or from the Technical Support section of Microplex’s Web site,...
• Example names and numbers described in text are bold. sends data to the M305 named spike... The model directory... • Variable values are shown in italics both in command syntax, output, and in text. Italics also add emphasis.
M305’s architecture and special features. What is the M305? The M305 10/100 Pocket Print Server allows you to locate your printer anywhere on a 10 Base-T or 100 Base-T LAN rather than attaching it directly to a host system. After fol-...
Print Path The print path is the path data takes when the host sends a job to a printer through the M305. This print path can be divided into the three components (refer to Figure 1). Figure 1: Print Path Components...
A model or logpath can be associated with more than one destination. Refer to Figure 17 on page 56 Product Features The M305 offers an extensive list of features including: • Built-in HTML forms for easy cross-platform configu- ration with any web browser;...
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M305 INTRODUCTION • autosensing of job format for ASCII to PostScript con- version or to automatically switch printer emulations; • flexible naming conventions; • Flash memory upgrades over TCP/IP networks; • multiple speeds on the parallel port for additional printer compatibility;...
Unpacking the M305 Upon receiving the M305, check the packaging for any damaged or missing pieces (refer to Table 2, “M305 Pack- ing List,” ). Immediately report problems to the shipping company or vendor. If everything is in order, fill out the...
Provide enough space at the rear of the unit for Ethernet cable connections. Prepare to install the M305 within four meters (13 feet) of a grounded 115 or 220 VAC outlet. Power is supplied to the M305 from an external transformer through a two-meter (six-foot) output cord to a 6 position mini din.
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Figure 2: M305 Front View Figure 3: M305 Rear View Printer/ Port Connections One printer may be attached via the M305’s 36-pin male Centronics connector (with an IBM PC compatible pinout). The port can be configured with various parameters depend- ing on the attached printer.
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(used only with back channel enabled). Printing Test Pages Use the test page feature to test the M305 and printer com- munications without a network connection. To output test pages: Power off the M305 and the printer and disconnect the network connector.
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M305 INSTALLATION printer. Ensure that the printer is turned off when you plug in the print server. Turn the printer on and unpack and plug in the M305’s power supply. The connector plugs into the back of the M305. Watch the lights on the front panel of the device as they cycle through the power-on self test.
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M305 INSTALLATION Table 3: Dipswitch Settings Dipswitch Comments Normal operation. With both dipswitches in the “off” position, the unit will boot up using the settings in Flash rather than the default set- tings. Dipswitch 2 is in the “off” position from the factory so that the new settings that you store will be used.
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M305 INSTALLATION Table 3: Dipswitch Settings Dipswitch Comments If the unit is connected to a network with link integrity and then reset to MOS, a download will be forced. If the unit is not connected to a net- work, it will print a test page.
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When talking about configuration, it’s important to under- stand that there are two parts to a M305 setup: Configuring the M305 so that it can be seen on the net- work. This involves network-related settings (e.g. an IP address within TCP/IP environments) configured through the built-in command shell, npsh.
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CONFIGURATION TOOLS To access the M305’s home page, you will need to: Make sure the print server has an IP address and subnet mask so it is recognizable on your TCP/IP network. Ensure your network station can successfully “ ”...
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Waldo Overview Since TCP/IP is relied upon for Windows/UNIX printing, the M305 must be configured with an IP address and subnet mask before it can work on the network Waldo is a tool for discovering, monitoring, and configuring Microplex print/frame server devices on a TCP/IP network.
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You must have the TCP/IP protocol installed and con- figured on your workstation. Installing Waldo in Windows To install Waldo on a windows workstation, you will need Insert the CD ROM supplied with the M305 into the drive. Go to the Waldo directory and find the "setupex.exe" file.
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12. Click "Assign" when done to assign these TCP/IP set- tings to the M305. Waldo will then display on a sepa- rate dialog box the status of its progress. 13. After successfully assigning the settings you will see the M305 with its new IP address in the device list.
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CONFIGURATION TOOLS Ezsetup This is a Unix shell script that helps configure M305 set- tings and host print setups. It’s compatible with all Unix fla- vours and has a Main Menu similar to Figure 7. Figure 7: Ezsetup Main Menu Screen...
• Can you “ ” the M305 from your workstation? If ping not, please refer to M305 Won’t Talk on the Network on page 29. • Have you used the correct URL for the M305’s home page? It should be “...
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Windows environment: setup a printer on an NT server to be shared by Windows 95/98 and Win- dows NT clients, or have each Windows station print directly to the M305. Figure 8 outlines these two types of setups. V1.0...
Additional settings like routing entries can also be config- ured, allowing communication across subnets. Configuration Steps To configure an IP address and subnet mask on your M305, Microplex recommends the use of their TCP/IP configura- tion utility called Waldo. Waldo is described in detail on page 17.
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Installing MPS (Microplex Printing Solution) To install MPS on a Windows workstation, you will need to: Insert the CD ROM supplied with the M305 into the drive. Go to the MPS directory, and find the "Setup.exe" file. Double click on this to load the InstallShield Wizard.
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Once your computer is rebooted, MPS should be suc- cessfully installed. Windows 95/98 MPS Setup To configure a new printer to print directly to the M305 on a Windows 95/98 station, you will need to: Install MPS if you have not already done so.
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M305. Windows NT 4.x MPS Setup To configure a new printer to print directly to the M305 using MPS on a Windows NT 4.x station, you will need to: Install MPS if you have not already done so.
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MPLX::<Host Name>:<Port Number>; for example: MPLX::192.168.11.9:4400 11. Click on "Next >" and continue the setup as you would for any other printer. You now have a new network printer which relies on MPS to print remotely to a printer attached to the M305. V1.0...
For example, are you sure no other device is using this IP address? • Are you sure you are trying to talk to the M305 from a Windows station on the same subnet? Currently, the print server can only be seen locally unless you config- ured a routing entry earlier on.
Talk on the Network on page 29. • Are you using the correct port number? Issue a list pserver command on the M305 to find out what port numbers are assigned to what destinations. See Appendix G - More on Commands (the PDF file called command.pdf) for more information.
For additional information about Unix environments, please see Appendix B - More on Unix (unix.pdf). Environment Description The M305 supports network printing under various TCP/IP environments including all flavours of Unix. Printing can come from multiple hosts directly or through central spool- ing machines.
UNIX CONFIGURATION M305 Configuration Mandatory Since TCP/IP is used, the M305 must be configured with at least at an IP address and subnet mask before it can be seen on the network. Optional Additional settings, like routing entries, can also be config- ured to allow communication across subnets.
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UNIX CONFIGURATION [Optional] Assign an IP address and host name to the M305 in the host table (/etc/hosts, host NIS map, or DNS name tables). Run Ezsetup from the command line. Follow this syn- tax for most Unix operating systems: ./ezsetup...
Host Configuration The second half of Ezsetup helps configure a new printer on your Unix host (just being able to talk to the M305 doesn’t mean you can print to it). You also have to define a printer so the host knows where to send the data.
HP III laser printer might be called “laser”. • When asked for a destination, choose one of the four predefined destinations/queues on the M305. Normally you would choose “d1prn”. • When asked which I/O port or port, choose “prn”.
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IP address? • Are you sure you are trying to talk to the M305 from a Unix station on the same subnet? The print server can only be seen locally unless you configured it with a routing entry.
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UNIX CONFIGURATION “ ” to the print server (e.g. “ telnet telnet ”) and log in as “ ” (press 192.168.11.9 root ENTER for password). Enter the command “ ” start fox portname where portname is “ ”. Execute “ ”...
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This means the formfeed button on the printer has to be pressed to print the last page. To automate this process, tell the M305 to handle this task for you by setting this feature on in the appropriate model.
Overview This chapter details a complete Novell setup including: Identifying the M305 on the network. Configuring the M305 with its mandatory print setup settings. Configuring a new print queue on the file server. Please see Appendix C - More on Novell (novell.pdf) for additional information about Novell environments.
Printer M305 Configuration Mandatory The M305 does not require any network settings to make it visible on any Novell network environment. Simply plug it in to your network and power it on. However, with a new print queue setup on a Novell file server, there may be some mandatory settings needed on the M305.
NDS tree. • Mode - the mode the M305 will run in. This can be either auto, bindery, or nds. The default is auto so that the M305 can autosense which mode it should run in.
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MPAdmin. See Appendix C - More on Nov- ell (the PDF file called novell.pdf) for informa- tion on how to do this. Insert the CD ROM that was supplied with the M305 into the drive. Go to the MPAdmin directory, and find the "Setu- pex.exe"...
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Microplex Print Server", as shown in Figure 14. Figure 14: Create Microplex Print Server Dialogue 11. Select the M305 from the list of print servers, and then the "OK" button. Its default name will be M_xxxxxx where xxxxxx equals the last six digits of the print server's Ethernet address found on the bottom of the device (e.g.
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"Add Printer…" button to bring up the "Add Printer" dialogue box. 14. In the "Microplex Destination For Output" field, select the destination on the M305 that you want to print to (e.g. d1prn). 15. Select a printer object to use by clicking on the "New…"...
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20. Click on "OK" to close the "Microplex Print Server:<NAME>" details dialogue box, and make the changes permanent. 21. If you were not asked to reset the M305 when you closed the dialogue, re-power the M305 by unplugging and plugging in the power supply.
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NOVELL CONFIGURATION At this point, you should be able to print to the M305 using the Novell printers/queues that you created. See the Trou- bleshooting Tips section if you are having problems. Bindery PSERVER setup (Netware 3.x and Netware 4.x) A Bindery PSERVER setup is possible under both Netware 3.x and Netware 4.x.
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ENTER. 23. When prompted for the priority, press ENTER to select the default or select a priority. 24. Press ESCAPE until back at the PCONSOLE Main Menu. 25. Repower the M305 by unplugging and plugging in the power supply. V1.0...
This will make the print server boot up and realize which print queue and file server it needs to service. • Is the M305 already servicing a queue on another file server? If so, it cannot service another file server at the same time. •...
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NOVELL CONFIGURATION • Is the M305 in nds mode as seen under the “ list ” output on the device? If servicing a Net- pserver Ware 4.x file server, it must be set to handle NDS ser- vices rather than Bindery. The default setting is Auto.
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Has the password been assigned to the PSERVER in PCONSOLE but not in the M305? • Have you given the connection process some time after re-powering the M305? In larger Novell environments, sometimes the file server identification and connection process can take several minutes. V1.0...
For additional information about AppleTalk Configruations, please refer to Appendix D - More on AppleTalk. Environment Description The M305 supports network printing under AppleTalk envi- ronments by utilizing EtherTalk, not LocalTalk. Multiple Apple stations in multiple zones can print simultaneously to the M305 as seen in Figure 16.
“ ” where “xxxxxx” equals the M_xxxxxx last six digits of the M305’s Ethernet address found on the bottom of the device and the I/O port will be Example name for a printer off of the PRN port of an...
LaserWriter printer driver. To change this, please see the Microplex PDF file, “apple.pdf” for details. • Does the M305 need to be configured for a particular zone? By default, the print server will come up in the default zone. Please see Common npsh Commands on page 58 for the command syntax to change this.
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“xxxxxx” equals last six digits of Ethernet address found on bottom of the print server. Workgroup Name of default workgroup M305 can be found under in a Windows environment. Refer to Figure 17 for an illustration of the default names.
Configuration and Status Data Print Data M305 Command Shell Within the M305, a command shell is built into the firm- ware called “npsh”. It allows you to manipulate objects like destinations, models, and I/O ports and provides some mon- itoring and troubleshooting capabilities as well.
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“ ” - view certain debugging information. debug Note: If the “ ” prefix is used, the M305 must be store repowered to make the changes take effect. Since “ ” affects Flash settings only, the print store server must reset and read the new settings now in...
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M305. Store a default router/gate- store tcpip route add default routerI- way for the M305 to for- Paddress ifnum ward remote packets to. Control RARP, BOOTP, store tcpip ifnum opts [[-]rarp] [[- and DHCP requests for IP ]bootp] [[-]dhcp] addresses.
Tell the M305 what NDS store pserver novell tree treename tree the pserver object resides in. Tell the M305 about a par- store pserver novell fserver add ticular Novell file server. fileservername NDS setup - set to the file...
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Change the name of a des- set dest name newname tination/queue. Control which protocols set sysinfo module [[-]novell] [[- are enabled on the M305. ]appletalk] [[-]net- bios] List the current TCP/IP list tcpip network settings. List the current settings of list prn the I/O port.
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M305 REFERENCE PAGES Table 4: Common Commands Command Syntax Description Cancel a queued job. cancel jobID Save all current settings to save Flash. Reset the M305. reset “ ” another TCP/IP ping IPaddress ping host on the network. “ ” to another TCP/...
Back to Factory Defaults Sometimes it is beneficial to return the M305 to its factory default state. For example, if you are having problems com- municating with the print server over the network, you may want to put it back to a default state and reconfigure the net- work settings.
Please refer to the section entitled Dipswitches on page 11 for instructions about how to do this. You now have the M305 booted up in a default state, mean- ing its current/working settings are those stored at the fac- tory. All settings configured and stored in Flash are ignored while this switch sits in the “Factory Settings”...
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(the new firmware) and the other is the upgrade instructions document which provides detailed steps for completing the upgrade. These files are always available at Microplex’s FTP site (“ ”) and at Microplex’s Web site ftp.microplex.com...
Figure 18: The Support Shack FTP Site Microplex’s FTP site, “ftp.microplex.com” contains firm- ware and software for the M305. Once logged in anony- mously, you will need to change to the M305 directory. V1.0...
Contacting Microplex If you need technical assistance from Microplex, please have this information on hand: • M305 serial number found on the bottom of the print server. • Description of your network environment and periph- erals attached.
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Fitness for a particular application are limited to three (3) years from the time of the original purchase date. In no event shall Microplex be liable for Loss of Use, Loss of Profits or Revenues, or other Indirect, Incidental, or Conse- quential Damages.
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You may use any courier company. However, we rec- ommend using Federal Express due to its lower charges for customs. Note: Under a normal warranty repair, Microplex will only pay for the shipping charges to return the M305 to you. •...
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ABC Corporation 1234 Western Parkway Anycity, NC USA, 27511 DATE OF EXPORT: 22/02/96 AIR WAYBILL NO: 123-12341234 CONSIGNEE: Microplex Systems Ltd. 8525 Commerce Court Burnaby, B.C. V5A 4N3, Canada IMPORTER (if other than consignee) same as consignee COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada...
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M305 SPECIFICATIONS M305 SPECIFICATIONS Hardware Specifications For additional hardware information, please refer to Appen- dix F - More on Specifications (specs.pdf). Network Interfaces The network interfaces provide compatibility with TCP/ ICMP/IP and 8.2.3 Ethernet protocols. IEEE 802.3 10/ 100Base-T UTP Ethernet female RJ45 connector.
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M305 SPECIFICATIONS Electrical Details Power Supply Options: External transformer available in 120V/60Hz or 220- 240V/50Hz. Power Supply Requirements: Typical 115VAC +/- 10% 36mA, 60Hz 220VAC +/- 10% 18mA, 50/60Hz Maximum 115VAC +/- 10% 54mA, 60Hz 220VAC +/- 10% 27mA, 50/60Hz...
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System Status Data to Network Run and Auto-reset Mode Run Mode is the normal operating state of the M305. Auto-reset mode is entered when the watchdog timer is triggered and the Print Server has reset itself. The STAT LED flashes differently depending on whether the device’s IP address is configured.
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Error Conditions License Violation An invalid license mask and key forces the M305 into this mode after three minutes of operation. The mask and key settings are printed on the serial number label at the time of shipment.
M305 SPECIFICATIONS Hardware Exception Internal errors such as bus errors, address errors or ille- gal instructions force the M305 into this non-opera- tional mode. Software Specifications Standards Supported Ethernet Address Control Protocol Address Resolution Protocol BOOTP Bootstrap Protocol File Transfer Protocol...
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PRN by opening a socket to the associated TCP port number as defined above. Such connections are queued along with print jobs using other print methods (e.g. LPR/LPD). UDP Port Numbers Used on the M305 UDP port for SNMP SYSLOG client support BOOTP client port...
Local device that forwards any IP pack- ets destined for another subnet. destination Logical print queue on the M305 to which hosts send their print jobs. There are four destinations on the M305. DHCP Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol.
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Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. ifnum Interface Number. Represents the net- work interface. With an M305, this will always be “1” for Ethernet. interface script Unix host filter file that processes the print job before it is sent over the net- work to the M305.
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Defines how a print job should be pro- cessed (e.g. banner pages added, ASCII to PostScript conversion) as it passes through the M305. One model is associ- ated with every destination. Microplex Printing Solution (MPS). Alternative Windows printing solution.
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M305 continuously polls the Novell file server’s print queue looking for print jobs. Random Access Memory. Volatile mem- ory within the M305 that contains cur- rent/working settings. Settings are lost once the power is removed. RARP Reverse Address Resolution Protocol.
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GLOSSARY RPRINTER Remote Printer. A Novell print method where the M305 waits for jobs to be sent to it from a defined PSERVER. serial number Number found on the bottom of the M305. Each M305 is assigned a unique serial number.
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GLOSSARY trailer strings Strings that follow print jobs; used to control the printer and set printing options. Waldo TCP/IP configuration utility. zone A predefined group of AppleTalk sta- tions which helps divide up larger net- works. V1.0...
60 configuration D-1 enabling/disabling the module D-4 environments 51 host configuration 52, D-2 limiting printers E-7 M305 configuration 52 mapping printer names to destinations/queues D-4 naming E-5 number of printers D-4 understanding printer names D-2 using different printer drivers D-7...
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INDEX architecture 3 diagram E-2 ASCII to PostScript conversion E-6 in interface scripts B-11, B-20 in models E-3, E-4 ASCII to PostScript conversion, see also a2ps autosensing/autoswitching of printer mode E-6 banner page generation E-6 extra with Novell C-21 in interface scripts B-11, B-19 in models E-3 binary npscramble E-10...
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INDEX CE Mark 73 checksum in logpaths E-4 Chooser problems D-8 command shell debug commands G-4 help with G-3 list commands G-5 Novell environments, accessing in C-11 overview 56 prefixes 57, G-2 prompt G-3 rules 57 set commands G-7 store commands G-17 user accounts G-3 user permissions G-3 ways to access 15, 57, G-2...
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B-9 overview B-9 rsh/rcmd/remsh B-10 DNS B-31 email and error messages B-33 and logging E-4 Microplex Support 66 error conditions firmware panic 74 hardware exception 75 license violation 74 spurious halt 74 watchdog halt 74 EtherTalk D-8 ezsetup B-10 V1.0...
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B-25 FTP Daemon and configuration E-17 and printing B-25, E-15 and remote management E-7 configuring M305 with E-17 copying a configuration with E-17 monitoring print queue with E-16 printing with E-15 removing print job wih E-16 restoring a configuraiton with E-18...
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Hardware Specifications Dimensions 71 Operating temperature 71 Storage temperature 71 header string in models E-3 with variables E-4 home page M305 16 host configuration BSD B-16 host software and interface scripts B-11 HP OpenSpool Setup B-20 HTML and remote management E-7...
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INDEX interface script BSD syntax B-18 choices B-12 modifying B-12 overview B-11 System V syntax B-14 IP address command 58 duplicate B-31 format B-32 instead of IP name B-31 jobs in logpaths E-4 descriptions 73 patterns 73, F-7 run and auto-reset mode 73 status 29 link integrity details E-6...
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INDEX and logging E-13 lpstat and logging E-11 Macs, See AppleTalk. memory controlling E-6 models and onlcr B-34 and processing options E-3, E-6 default E-3 default names 55 diagram E-2 in destinations E-2 in print path 4 setting a formfeed 38 setting onlcr 38 types and inclusions E-3 module...
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INDEX connector diagrams 9 connectors 8, F-2 Novell adjust polling time C-6 changing frame type C-8, C-9, C-10 changing M305 name C-7 common commands 59 communication problems C-17, C-19 controlling frame type E-7 host configuraiton C-11 host software C-11 M305 configuration 40...
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INDEX problems B-33 using B-14, B-19 NPRINT C-20 configuration C-21 npscramble E-10 in interface scripts B-19 npsh configuration alternatives 20 npsh, See command shell. npwrite B-9, B-26 and Adobe TranScript B-30 and interface scripts B-12, B-19 command syntax B-9 details B-9 onlcr 38 data in wrong format B-34 garbled data B-34...
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INDEX forgotten 63 Novell C-17 PC/TCP details B-24 file index 1 port numbers 75 power AC requirements 72 consumption 72 DC requirements 72 requirements 72 socket pinout F-2 specifications 72 print job scrambling in interface scripts B-11 print path diagram 4 print spooler integrating B-10 printer...
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INDEX PSERVER default name C-17 pseudo-tty daemon npd B-26 qdaemon B-22 RARP command 58 problems B-32 remote management TCP/IP methods E-7 remote shell 20 overview 20 repair commercial invoice sample 69 returning for 67 RMA number 67 repairs 66 return shipping instructions 67 RMA number 67 router...
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INDEX System V syntax B-10 scrambling/descrambling in interface scripts B-20 scrambling/descrambling print jobs E-10 SDRAM 3 security E-7 Novell passwords E-11 passwords E-7 scrambling/descrambling E-10 SNMP E-11 tcp access lists E-9 serial number location of 66 service control E-7 and I/O port E-5 set commands G-7 set date G-7 set dest G-7...
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INDEX Solaris 2.X LPR Setup B-21 spooler bypassing B-9, B-33 problems B-33 store commands G-17 store ifc G-17 store pserver G-17 store tcpip G-20 subnet mask command 58 Sun NeWSprint B-26 setup B-29 syslog in logpaths E-4 System V and npd B-28 host configuration B-13 interface script syntax B-14 spooling B-10...
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