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MPI linkcom 5 User Manual

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LinkCom 5 User Manual
LinkCom 5 User Manual
How to configure and use LinkCom 5
D13086-002
June 16

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Summary of Contents for MPI linkcom 5

  • Page 1 LinkCom 5 User Manual LinkCom 5 User Manual How to configure and use LinkCom 5 D13086-002 June 16...
  • Page 2 LinkCom 5 User Manual Page...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Overview of LinkCom 5................13 End to end control ..................13 INSTALLATION ....................14 Installation requirements................14 The LinkCom 5 PrintServer can be hardware connected in 3 different ways: ..14 5.2.1 Connection via PRT/LAN ports ................ 14 5.2.2 Connect a USB printer ..................
  • Page 4 7.8.4 Output Driver ....................47 Printer templates ..................49 7.10 Internal LinkCom 5 web server ..............49 7.10.1 Accessing the internal web server ..............49 7.10.2 Status page with Configuration Page.............. 50 7.10.3 Advanced Configuration ................50 7.10.4 General ....................... 51 7.10.5 Logical Printers ....................
  • Page 5 TROUBLESHOOTING ..................78 15.1 Changes to the output printer address are not applied ........78 15.2 LinkCom 5 hangs during a restart ..............79 15.3 Not able to see options for Matrix printing............. 79 15.4 Not able to see finishing options in PrintGuide ..........80 15.5...

  • Page 6: About Mpi Tech

    LinkCom 5 User Manual About MPI Tech The MPI Tech Group is a leading provider of document management and document output solutions that put the customer in charge. With our software and hardware solutions we enable customers to create, print, secure, transform, distribute and archive their information.

  • Page 7: Introduction

    PrintGuide. PrintServer A device that connects printers to client computers over a network. LinkCom 5 is a PrintServer, and besides the above description, it can also connect printers with host systems (AS400, IBM Mainframe, Unix) as well as offer direct TCP/IP port 9100 print from office computers.

  • Page 8: Related Documentation

    USB ports are not used. Maintenance Maintenance is a yearly fee paid to MPI Tech that allows for the customer to receive support for their software and hardware solutions purchased from MPI Tech. The support can be in the form of written help, remote sessions or the like. Error corrections can also be in the form of new firmware.

  • Page 9: About This Document

    LinkCom 5 User Manual About this document The purpose of this manual is to introduce the LinkCom 5 PrintServer, and help the user setting up the PrintServer to receive host print data from different host systems and deliver PCL or PostScript or matrix data (Epson or IBM Proprinter) to a network or USB printer.

  • Page 10: Introduction To Linkcom 5

    High speed print options, full colour support and extra transforms require separate license. A new feature for LinkCom 5, is support for Gigabit on the LAN side and that both IPv6 and IPv4 is now supported. LinkCom 5 converts host print data to a format that is compatible with standard office printers.

  • Page 11: Requirements

    LinkCom 5 product, and is used for configuring the product. 3.3.2 Printer requirements A printer that is connected to LinkCom 5 via a USB cable must be self-powered. It may not require power via the USB plug exceeding 100mA. 3.3.3...
  • Page 12 LinkCom 5 User Manual  PSS VM version 6.01 or higher  ACF/VTAM version 3.1 or higher  IBM TCP/IP version 2.1 or higher Mainframe VSE  PSF/VSE  ACT VTAM AS/400  OS/400 V3 R1 (incl. PTFs) or higher ...

  • Page 13: Features Of Linkcom 5

    Overview of LinkCom 5. LinkCom 5 is a standalone hardware PrintServer. LinkCom 5 can connect to various types of host and midrange systems and process host print input to address the needs of heterogeneous print environments. It provides a method to receive host print data via TCP/IP host attachments, convert host print data to a format that can be printed on LAN (or USB printers), and redistribute output to existing LAN print devices.

  • Page 14: Installation

    LinkCom 5. This removes the need for an extra network outlet in the print room. Connect the network printer via the PRT port on the LinkCom 5. The PrintServer is connected to the network outlet via the LAN port. The setup is illustrated below.

  • Page 15: Connect A Usb Printer

    A USB printer can be LAN connected via the LinkCom 5 PrintServer. Connect the LinkCom 5 PrintServer to the network via the LAN port, and connect a USB cable (USB-A  USB-B cable) between the PrintServer and the printer. Plug the normal USB-A connector into the PrintServer’s USB port, and the USB-B...

  • Page 16: General Connection Setup

    The solution is to connect the LinkCom 5 PrintServer to the network using the LAN port, and connect the network printer directly to the network. The LinkCom 5 can be configured to transmit print jobs from the PrintServer to the network printer over the network.
  • Page 17 PrintServer for more information about setting up the PrintServer with PrintGuide. Consult sections 6.4 LED signalling explained, 10 LED signalling explained in details and 15.2 LinkCom 5 hangs during a restart for help if the PrintServer fail during the start-up process.

  • Page 18: Operating Linkcom 5

    A detected USB printer will take precedence over a detected network printer when printing the configuration page. (Please note that directly network or USB printers are only detected by LinkCom 5 during power up, so a LinkCom 5 power recycle might be needed) This makes it easier for a technician not having access to the customers DHCP server, verifying the setup.

  • Page 19: Understanding Printserver Led Signalling

    LinkCom 5 User Manual Understanding PrintServer LED signalling The PrintServer is equipped with 3 LEDs labelled "PRT", "SES", LAN" for status signalling.  PRT LED signals print data being sent to or from the designated printer  SES LED signals incoming data from host ...

  • Page 20: Configuring Linkcom 5 Printserver

    “Getting started with PrintGuide” that is bundled with the software download. Getting started with PrintGuide Install PrintGuide and start the application. On start-up PrintGuide will scan the network and search for any MPI Tech device (default setting). To request a forced network scan, press the icon.

  • Page 21: Configuring Logical Printers

    LinkCom 5 User Manual Configuring logical printers The PrintServer comes preloaded with the logical printers/transforms that have been purchased with the PrintServer. All that has to be done, is to configure the logical printer/transform that is required. It is possible to configure IPDS, ICDS, DCA, SCS and TCP/IP port 9100 print, however, the PrintServer can only serve one printer session at a time.

  • Page 22: Ipds

    LinkCom 5 User Manual 7.4.2 IPDS Language (Output data stream) Select PCL5 ,PostScript or Matrix*  *) Matrix will only appear as an option, if the logical printer was created based on a Generic Matrix printer template. (See section 2.1 regarding loading Printer definition files.)
  • Page 23 LinkCom 5 User Manual Generic Matrix printer template, and will be the only allowed choice if Matrix is selected as output data language.) Full Colour Available with PostScript output and IBM IP40 emulation (requires a separate license). Print Offsets Is used to adjust the output on the page. Print Offsets will move the entire printed image on the page.

  • Page 24: Physical Printer

    LinkCom 5 User Manual VPA Check - Valid printable area. This defines what controls the valid printable area reported to the host. An exception notification is reported back to the host if print data seems to fall outside the set VPA check option. (Depending on host setup, exception reporting may be...
  • Page 25 LinkCom 5 User Manual General printer parameters General Printer parameters describe the basic printer options: Description and Printer name and printer memory. Colour, Duplex and Offset capabilities can be enabled if supported by the printer. Trays/Bins Trays/Bins describe and configure the input trays and output bins of the target printer.

  • Page 26: Strings

    LinkCom 5 User Manual Finishing Finishing define the stapling options and is configurable if the Printer Template contains a field for Finishing. Enable stapling for the actual option and consult the printer’s technical manual for the PJL command to use.

  • Page 27: Output Driver

    7.4.5 Output driver Output data from LinkCom 5 can be handled in various ways. Using the default setup, the data is send to a network printer. “TCP/IP Network port driver”. The IP Address input field is a text field. Printers can be addressed using IPv4 addresses, IPv6 addresses or DNS host names.

  • Page 28: Configuring Afp/Icds Transform

    USB printer using a USB cable. Configuring AFP/ICDS transform The ICDS transform can be relevant when printing from IBM Mainframe 3270 architecture where the MPI Mainframe products PSS or EPM handles print, as only those 2 software products can create ICDS data streams. 7.5.1 The TCP/IP port number is default 5005.

  • Page 29: Pss

    LinkCom 5 User Manual This is the port number the host system has to target in order to hit the ICDS transform. 7.5.2 Language (Output data stream) Select: PCL5 or PostScript AFP Tray Mapping AFP tray mapping is by default set to ‘Auto Configuration’. The available trays are automatically imported from the trays defined in the Physcial Printer definitions.

  • Page 30: Physical Printer

    LinkCom 5 User Manual name and select the required tray from the list. Only the tray type can be remapped. End to end control When checked it causes the PrintServer to receive information from the output printer about the exact number of printed sheets. This information is sent back to the host system according to host setup.
  • Page 31 LinkCom 5 User Manual General Printer parameters describe the basic options of the printer: Description and Printer name and printer memory. Colour, Duplex and Offset capabilities may be enabled if supported by the printer. Trays/Bins Trays/Bins describe and configure the input trays and output bins of the target printer.

  • Page 32: Strings

    7.5.5 Output driver Output data from LinkCom 5 can be handled in various ways. Using the default setup, the data is send to a network printer. “TCP/IP Network port driver”. The IP Address input field is a text field, so the printer can be addressed using an IPv4 address, an IPv6 address or a DNS host name.

  • Page 33: Configuring Dca Transform

    DCA transform is relevant for AS400 non-graphic text only print. The benefit of setting up DCA print with PrintGuide, is that once the AS400 host system IP address and intended DCA printer queue name have been entered, the LinkCom 5 PrintServer will automatically create and configure the DCA printer at the AS400 host.

  • Page 34: Telnet Print

    LinkCom 5 User Manual 7.6.1 Telnet Print Device Name / LUNAME Fill in the Device name you would like to use. This name will automatically be created as a printer name on your AS400 host. It has to be a unique name and can have up to 10 characters.

  • Page 35: Physical Printer

    LinkCom 5 User Manual Language (Output data stream) Select: PCL5, PostScript or Matrix  If Matrix is selected a list of sub matrix options becomes selectable: Select between Matrix printer type: IBM Pro, IBM Pro XL 24, Epson FX, Epson LQ, PCL II or Non-specific.
  • Page 36 LinkCom 5 User Manual General Printer Parameters General Printer parameters describe the basic options of the printer: Description and Printer name and printer memory. Colour, Duplex and Offset capabilities may be enabled if supported by the printer. Trays/Bins Trays/Bins describe and configure the input trays and output bins of the target printer.

  • Page 37: Strings

    LinkCom 5 User Manual Finishing Finishing defines the stapling option and is configurable if the Printer Template contains a field for Finishing. Enable stapling for the actual option and consult the printer’s technical manual for the PJL command to use.

  • Page 38: Output Driver

    7.6.5 Output Driver Output data from LinkCom 5 can be handled in various ways. Using the default setup, the data is send to a network printer. “TCP/IP Network port driver”. The IP Address input field is a text field, so the printer can be addressed using an IPv4 address, an IPv6 address or a DNS host name.

  • Page 39: Configuring Scs Transform

    IP address and intended SCS printer queue name have been entered the LinkCom 5 PrintServer will automatically create and configure the SCS printer at the IBM host. This gives less host system setup compared to e.g. an IPDS printer setup.

  • Page 40: Scs

    LinkCom 5 User Manual Device Name / LUNAME Fill in the Device name you would like to use. This name will automatically be created as a printer name on your IBM 3270 Mainframe host. Host IP address: This is the IP address of the IBM mainframe host system.

  • Page 41: Physical Printer

    LinkCom 5 User Manual Code Page Select the required value: Default is 500 (Multinational). Value has to match corresponding value on the host system. AFP Tray Mapping AFP Tray Mapping is default set to ‘Auto Configuration’. The available trays are automatically imported from the trays defined in the Physical Printer definitions.
  • Page 42 LinkCom 5 User Manual When checked ‘Auto Configure’ will attempt to retrieve information about Trays/Bins paper format etc. directly from the printer. After selecting this option, save the changes and restart the PrintServer to collect the information during PrintServer start up. Enabling ‘Auto Configure’ disables manual configuration.

  • Page 43: Strings

    LinkCom 5 User Manual Trays/Bins describe and configure the input trays and output bins of the target printer. Please refer to the printer’s technical manual for configuration of PCL/PostScript ID’s. Finishing Finishing define the stapling option and is configurable if the Printer Template contain a field for Finishing.

  • Page 44: Output Driver

    7.7.5 Output Driver Output data from LinkCom 5 can be handled in various ways. Using the default setup, the data is send to a network printer. “TCP/IP Network port driver”. The IP Address input field is a text field, so the printer can be addressed using an IPv4 address, an IPv6 address or a DNS host name.

  • Page 45: Configuring Transparent Tcp/Ip Printing

    Configuring Transparent TCP/IP Printing Transparent printing is intended for Windows PC’s, Servers or other TCP/IP host systems needing to be able to print ordinary TCP/IP print. A LinkCom 5 PrintServer is not required, as TCP/IP printing is normally handled directly between host/PC/Server and printer.

  • Page 46: T Port

    LinkCom 5 User Manual There are some situations where using the LinkCom 5 PrintServer for this type of print is recommended. Example 1 When printing to a USB connected printer that is not connected to the LAN and cannot be reached through other channels.

  • Page 47: Physical Printer

    Settings), after the job (Post String Settings) or can be used to replace data send to the printer (Replace String Settings). 7.8.4 Output Driver Output data from LinkCom 5 can be handled in various ways. Using the default setup, the data is send to a network printer. “TCP/IP Network port driver”. The IP Page...
  • Page 48 LinkCom 5 User Manual Address input field is a text field, so the printer can be addressed using an IPv4 address, an IPv6 address or a DNS host name. Example: 172.16.6.148 fe80::d2ff:50ff:fe8c:5ef8/64 printer2.company.org The selected TCP/IP port (default is 9100) must be a RAW port type, and supported by the printer.

  • Page 49: Printer Templates

    Highlighting the device in PrintGuide, right click and select “Open in Web Browser”, or  Type the IP address or hostname of the LinkCom 5 in your web browser. The default page contains the summery information of the LinkCom PrintServer including MAC Address and current firmware version.

  • Page 50: 7.10.2 Status Page With Configuration Page

    LinkCom 5 User Manual 7.10.2 Status page with Configuration Page. By selecting “Status”, “Configuration Page”, the Configuration Page can be viewed without having to print it. 7.10.3 Advanced Configuration If the LinkCom PrintServer has been configured with a password you will be prompted before being granted access to this settings section.

  • Page 51: 7.10.4 General

    LinkCom 5 User Manual After changing a setting make sure to click “Save” and “Restart PrintServer” otherwise changes will not take effect. 7.10.4 General The “General Settings” controls settings for PrintServer name, Location information, Contact person as well as different timeout settings for the PrintServer.
  • Page 52 LinkCom 5 User Manual PPD settings PPD settings allow enabling/disabling of the logical printer as well as controlling the TCP input port used with this. IPDS settings IPDS settings provide access to almost the same controls that are available via PrintGuide.

  • Page 53: 7.10.6 Tcp/Ip Section

    7.10.6 TCP/IP section The TCP/IP section gives access to network settings for the LinkCom 5 PrintServer. It includes DHCP assigned or manual assigned IP address, hostname, Gateway and DNS server entries.

  • Page 54: 7.10.7 Password Section

    7.10.10 Restore Factory Default Configuration. Pressing the Restore Factory option causes all of the LinkCom 5 configuration (except for eventual password) to be cleared and reset to factory defaults. Remember after resetting, to perform a PrintServer restart, e.g. by selecting “Advanced Configuration”...

  • Page 55: 7.10.11 Remember To Save Changes And Restart Printserver

    LinkCom 5 User Manual 7.10.11 Remember to save changes and restart PrintServer Any change performed has to be committed by pressing the “Save” or “Save & Continue” followed by a “Restart PrintServer” Wait for the LinkCom 5 PrintServer to be online again. Page...

  • Page 56: Configuration Of Host Systems

    LinkCom 5 User Manual Configuration of host systems The host system must be setup to allow printing via the LinkCom 5 PrintServer. The actual setup depends on the host system. If in doubt, please consult the host system manual. Please note that the host system sees the LinkCom 5 PrintServer as a printer.

  • Page 57: Pss Printer Profile Using Tcp/Ip Attachment

    PSS Start-up Procedure  PSS Printer Profile Once these parameters have been configured and the basic TCP/IP installation of the LinkCom 5 PrintServer has been completed, direct AFP / ICDS from PSS / MVS is possible. Requirements:  PSS, version 6.01 or higher ...

  • Page 58: Pss/Vm Afp Printing Using Tcp/Ip

    PSS/VM AFP printing using TCP/IP This section provides: PSS VM printer profile statements. Once these parameters have been configured, and the basic TCP/IP installation of the LinkCom 5 PrintServer has been completed, direct AFP / ICDS from PSS / VM will be possible. Requirements: ...

  • Page 59: As/400 / Iseries Settings For Version 3.7, - 7.X

    LinkCom 5 User Manual AS/400 / iSeries Settings for Version 3.7, - 7.x To configure IPDS printing on OS/400 from version 3.7 to V7 it is necessary to create a Printer Device Description. It is also highly recommended to create a PSF configuration as this includes additional printer settings and e.g.

  • Page 60: Creating The Printer Device Description

    5001 is by default the port number for the first printer session. Any subsequent printer sessions will use port no 5002, 5003, 50xx etc. RMTLOCNAME is the IP address of the LinkCom 5 print server. All printer sessions printing via the LinkCom 5 print server must point to this IP address.
  • Page 61 LinkCom 5 User Manual Display Device Description Page 1 5716SS1 V4R4M0 981108 BLDRB1 09/11/98 12:02:59 Device description ..: DEVD <DeviceName> Option ....: OPTION *ALL Category of device .

  • Page 62: Scs/Dca Printing Using Tn3270E/Tn5250E

    PRTMAP PRTGRP1 IPGRP1 ************ TN5250e set-up To set up TN5250, first configure LinkCom 5 using PrintGuide please follow section 7.6. On many iSeries installations, a device is automatically set up on the iSeries when LinkCom 5 is booted. For this to happen, the following conditions apply: ...

  • Page 63: Auto-Configuration Of Devices

    LinkCom 5 User Manual 9.2.1 Auto-configuration of devices How to set up your iSeries to auto-configure devices: Issue the command: WRKCTLD *VWS This will determine the number of auto-configured Virtual Controllers on the system. Issue the command: DSPSYSVAL QAUTOVRT If the system value of QAUTOVRT is equal to the number of auto-configured Virtual Controllers, the QAUTOVRT value should be increased by the number of devices that will be configured.
  • Page 64 F23=Set initial menu Check the status of the device is Vary on Pending. The device will remain in this state until the defined Print Server has established the session. This is done by restarting the LinkCom 5 from PrintGuide. Page...
  • Page 65 LinkCom 5 User Manual Method 2: Using Device Definition panels The Device can also be created using the same values from the Work with Device Definition Screens using option F4. The value for DEVD should match the Device Name given in PrintGuide.
  • Page 66 LinkCom 5 User Manual Create Device Desc (Printer) (CRTDEVPRT) Type choices, press Enter. Host print transform ..TRANSFORM User-defined options ..USRDFNOPT *NONE + for more values User-defined object: USRDFNOBJ Object .

  • Page 67: Led Signalling Explained In Details

    LinkCom 5 User Manual LED signalling explained in details The three LED lights on the front of the LinkCom 5 PrintServer (PRT, SES and LAN) each have four states:  LED OFF  LED ON constantly lit  LED flashing slowly (approx. 50 times per minute) ...
  • Page 68 LinkCom 5 User Manual Fast Fast Slow Fast The PrintServer has entered a failed state, and needs to be power cycled. Slow Fast Slow Slow Slow Slow Slow Fast Fast Fast Fast Slow Fast Fast Slow Slow Outbound activity towards printer.
  • Page 69 LinkCom 5 User Manual Slow Slow Slow Slow Slow Fast Slow Fast Slow Fast Slow Fast Slow Slow Fast Fast Fast Fast Problem towards printer Fast Slow Fast Fast Fast Fast Problem towards printer. Fast Slow Fast Fast Fast Slow...

  • Page 70: Updating Firmware

    11.1 How to update firmware Firmware from MPI Tech has a numbering sequence that aligns firmware with the right PrintServer product. Firmware for the LinkCom 5 PrintServer uses the naming convention: 652xxx.b80. Firmware is updated using PrintGuide, and by applying the received firmware file to the hardware PrintServer.
  • Page 71 LinkCom 5 User Manual Accept firmware download to the PrintServer. The PrintServer will automatically restart after uploading the new firmware. Page...

  • Page 72: Using Printguide To Add New Features

    New features purchased after the initial purchase can be enabled via PrintGuide. 12.1 Prerequisites  An updated license key that covers additional features is issued by MPI Tech.  The LinkCom 5 PrintServer must be online and available through PrintGuide. ...
  • Page 73 LinkCom 5 User Manual  Confirm downloading key file.  Save changes and accept to restart the PrintServer.  Upon restart the new features will be available and can be configured. Page...

  • Page 74: Enabling/Disabling Hidden Features

    LinkCom 5 User Manual Enabling/disabling hidden features Some LinkCom 5 options cannot be reached from PrintGuide. These settings can only be changed manually directly in the configuration file. These are called hidden features 13.1 How to enable/disable options Any of the hidden options are manipulated the following way: 1.

  • Page 75: Test Button Reset Feature

    LinkCom 5 User Manual 13.3 Test button reset feature The test button is enabled in the default settings. Pressing the test button holding it between 8 and 60 seconds will force the PrintServer to reset settings to factory defaults. Disable reset to factory defaults via test button ...

  • Page 76: Cloning Printserver Settings

    LinkCom 5 User Manual Cloning PrintServer settings It is possible to clone LinkCom 5 PrintServer to multiple units. This sections takes you through the process. 1. Use PrintGuide to make a configuration backup 2. Open the backup file in a text editor, e,g, Notepad 3.
  • Page 77 LinkCom 5 User Manual The sections that hold information about the output printer. 4. Save the configuration file after removing the mentioned sections. Consider using another filename. 5. Use PrintGuide on the destination LinkCom 5 PrintServer, and import the cleaned configuration file. Page...

  • Page 78: Troubleshooting

    Only use a PrintGuide version that is compatible with LinkCom 5 (version 065.490 or newer). Do not use a PrintGuide version 065.470 or older with LinkCom 5. With LinkCom 5 a new IP parameter has been included to support output printer addresses both in the old IPv4 format, as well as IPv6 and DNS formats.

  • Page 79: Linkcom 5 Hangs During A Restart

    15.2 LinkCom 5 hangs during a restart Problem: In some special cases the LinkCom 5 PrintServer hangs during start up after a reconfiguration. The PrintServer will most likely end in a situation where the LAN LED flashes slowly and continues to do so.

  • Page 80: Not Able To See Finishing Options In Printguide

    LinkCom 5 PrintServer in PrintGuide. Solution: Per default LinkCom 5 PrintServer will display PostScript or PCL5 but not Matrix as possible output transform languages. If Matrix and Epson/IBM Proprinter emulations are required to be visible and optional in PrintGuide a printer defintion file for a matrix printer has to be loaded into PrintGuide first.

  • Page 81: Dca Output Language Keeps Returning To Matrix

    If the Generic Matrix printer definition has been loaded the DCA Output language will remain set to Matrix despite changes in PrintGuide. Solution: Reset the LinkCom 5 PrintServer to factory defaults. This will clear the conflicting settings and allow for DCA and ICDS to use PostScript as output language. Page...

  • Page 82: Index

    LinkCom 5 User Manual Index AFP/ICDS Host2Net ..........8, 15 Configure..........28 IPDS AFP/ICDS printing ........57 Setup ............. 22 AFP/IPDS IPv6 Configure..........21 Disable ........... 74 AS400 ............33 LAN port ............ 14 Code page Language DCA ............35 AFP/ICDS ..........
  • Page 83 LinkCom 5 User Manual Physical printer Settings AFP/ICDS ..........30 Clone ............. 76 AFP/IPDS ..........24 Strings DCA ............35 AFP/ICDS ..........32 SCS ............41 AFP/IPDS ..........26 DCA ............37 AFP/ICDS ..........31 SCS ............43 AFP/IPDS ..........26 Transparent TP/IP print ......

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