Linksys EFSP42 User Guide - Page 47

Instant EtherFast® Series About Bidirectional Printing Normal printing only sends print signals from a PC to a printer. Bi-directional printing, also called bitronic printing, refers to a printer's ability to do just the opposite- talk back to a PC to notify it of a print job status, paper jams, etc. This two-way communication technology can be found in HP, IBM, Panasonic, and other laser or color printers where close contact between the PC and printer is key. In color printing, for example, the printer "informs" the PC of its constant status in order to mix color inks correctly for optimal quality output. Bidirectional communication, communication from a printer to a PC, is normally handled by a combination of the printer hardware and special software on your computer. Bidirectional printers generally have highly advanced parallel interfaces. These printers often require special parallel ports in order to take full advantage of their features. Using a bidirectional printer on a network poses unique challenges. Unlike a direct PC-to-printer connection in which a bidirectional printer can easily send its signals back to the host PC through the computer's parallel port (which is normally located only a few feet away from the printer), a networked printer faces the problem of having to route messages bound for a particular PC through a large array of hubs, switches, file servers, and computers. Unfortunately, most printers are not equipped to handle the complexities of printer-to-PC communication across a network. That does not mean that they can't be used on a network, however. Linksys designed the EtherFast 10/100 PrintServers to function with both regular as well as bidirectional printers. Standard print servers cannot work with bidirectional printers, but the EtherFast PrintServer features a custom design to support both parallel as well as bidirectional parallel interfaces. However, the EtherFast PrintServer cannot pass messages from the printer back to the printing PC -- this limitation is simply an industry standard, and not one of the PrintServer itself. However, the PrintServer can check any printer's online and printing status on the network with the Bi-Admin management utility software packaged with the PrintServer. The status-checking feature built into the management software does not require a bidirectional printer to function. If your printer came with special bidirectional software allowing you to monitor printer status, do not use it with the PrintServer - the software is most likely not network-capable. For best results, turn off the printer's bidirectional function either by (1) 88 EtherFast 10/100 PrintServers removing any bidirectional printing software from your network computers, and/or (2) turning off the printer's bidirectional print feature inside of the printer's on-board menus (if it has menus). Your printer's user guide should be able to provide specific instructions for doing this. About the PrintServer Software The PrintServer is fully compatible with Windows 98, Windows 95, Windows NT 4.0, and NetWare. When used with Windows 98, 95 and NT, the PrintServer uses the TCP/IP protocol for network communication. Each computer on your network that needs PrintServer access will need to have the TCP/IP protocol installed. TCP/IP installation files are included on your original Windows 95, 98 or NT CD-ROM. For tips on installing TCP/IP, see page 56. When operating under NetWare, the PrintServer uses IPX/SPX for communication, which is built into the NetWare network operating system. Most computers need only be able to log into the network in order to print after the PrintServer has been configured. NetWare 5.x supports the use of both IPX/SPX and TCP/IP. Instructions for the setup and configuration of IPX/SPX are provided on page 42 in the NetWare 5.x section of this user guide. TCP/IP instructions are provided on page 56. Please be aware that although Linksys provides instructions for the setup of the TCP/IP protocol, these instructions are provided for reference only. Linksys will not provide technical support for the configuration and troubleshooting of the TCP/IP protocol. For full instructions on using TCP/IP, consult your operating system's user guide. Note: Throughout the user guide, it is assumed that the CD-ROM drive on your computer is designated as letter D. If your CD-ROM drive is designated as a different letter, use that letter instead. 89