Connectivity Solutions
In most instances, a Datamax printer standing alone, without a connection to any information device, limits the printer’s use or value. Like any printer, a Datamax printer must receive information in order to achieve its investment goal, which is to increase efficiencies and reduce costs in an organization’s operations. This communication can be achieved in many ways, thanks to the Connectivity Solutions that DMXConnect offers. Connectivity Solutions allow a Datamax printer to integrate seamlessly into an existing network, or into one currently being designed for future operations.
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DMXNet
DMXNet is a high-performance network interface card for the Datamax I-Class and W-Class Printer families. Driven by a powerful 32-bit RISC NET+ARM processor, the DMXNet card is easily installed and configured within seconds from the front panel or remotely via any standard Web browser to bring new levels of product maintenance and support through enhanced monitoring and control.
The DMXNet card supports basic IPX (Novell) and IP protocols over various Ethernet frame types. All protocols may be enabled and are supported concurrently. Multiple management connections, including network services APIs where provided, may be active at the same time.
NetWare is operable in Network Directory Services (NDS, NetWare 4.x) and in Novell bindery (2.x, 3.x) or bindery emulation modes. IPX/SPX is used to support printer status requests so that the NIC is compatible with both Novell Pconsole and Net Admin utilities. The NIC includes an SNMP agent operating over IPX.
The NIC includes an SNMP V1 agent and implements the RFC1213 groups of MIB II as well as Host Resource MIB, the Printer MIB, and a DMX Enterprise Private MIB. The NIC MIB and Private MIB provide access to essentially the same NIC setup and Printer setup parameters as the web pages. The NIC supports one basic trap destination IP address for general trap messages. Current traps include general printer fault, head up (W-Class only), paper out, and ribbon out.
DMXrfNet
DMXrf Net is a high-performance 802.11b wireless network interface card for use with the Datamax I-Class and W-Class printer families. Driven by its own dedicated processor, the DMXrf Net card is easily installed and configured within seconds from the front panel or remotely via any standard Web browser to bring new levels of product maintenance and support through enhanced monitoring and control.
Compatible with wireless standards, the DMXrf Net card supports Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum operation with automatic selection of 1, 2, 5.5 and 11Mbps speeds, depending on environmental conditions. It handles Open System or optional Shared Key (available only to systems with encryption capability) and supports normal or 802.11b WEP encryption modes.
Connections can be made from virtually anywhere from its leading industry network protocol stack. Users can share devices simultaneously from TCP/IP, NetWare®, Windows™ NT/2000/XP, Windows 9x, Peer-to-Peer, LAN Server™/Warp Server™, and LAN Manager capabilities.
A console accessible via TELNET, NetWare, or the on-board serial port is available for more sophisticated diagnostics and configuration. The on-board serial port can also be configured as an additional external serial print server, allowing you to effectively print to two devices with only one print server! The interface is also compatible with the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) for compatibility with most popular network management systems.
A concurrent 10baseT Ethernet® interface feature offers redundancy back-up for your system and the ability to use the printer in a wired or wireless environment. Hot swap and LED indicators of wired/wireless mode of operation are an added bonus.
DMX-100
The Datamax DMX-100 is a multi-protocol external print server that provides shared network access to printers for a variety of network protocols and operating systems. The DMX-100 connects to the printer’s parallel port and instantly adds Ethernet connectivity to your existing printers. The DMX-100 supports five industry-standard network protocols; TCP/IP, NetWare (IPX/SPX), Local Area Transport (LAT), and LAN Manager.
USB
The Universal Serial Bus (USB) port is designed to provide a standardized, simple way to connect a multitude of devices to a host computer. The limit with USB is that each device can consume up to 6 megabits per second of bandwidth, which is fast enough for the vast majority of peripheral devices, including Datamax printers. USB offers an auto-detect feature, meaning that as soon as the device is plugged in, even if the host computer is already turned on, the host recognizes that connection and asks to install the driver. If the driver is already installed, the host computer is immediately ready to communicate with the device. USB devices can be connected or disconnected at any time without powering down the host computer.
Twinax/Coax
The Datamax Twinax/Coax solution was designed to allow users to connect printers to an existing network via a twinax or coaxial cable. Twinax connections use twinax cable to connect to an AS/400 through a remote workstation controller or an integrated twinax adapter on the AS/400. A coaxial cable is one that consists of a conductor within another conductor, with insulation between the two conductors. Coaxial cable is a common medium used to connect to LANs and 3270 devices. The maximum distance that a coaxial cable can be run is 5,000 feet.
General Purpose I/O
The General Purpose Input Output (GPIO) is a user’s interface to control the start of print (INPUT) and monitor the status (OUTPUT) of a label in the printer. GPIO is used mostly for applicators such as the Datamax A-Class to control when to print a label and to know the status of when a label has completed printing to signal the applicator to pick it up. GPIO is standard on the PE-Series, and optional on the Datamax I- and W-Class products.
IEEE 1284 Compliant Parallel
Parallel ports were originally developed as a way to connect printers to PCs. When a PC sends data to a printer using a parallel port, it sends 8 bits of data (1 byte) at a time. The 8 bits are transmitted parallel to each other, rather than the serial (one at a time) transmission method of a serial port. A standard parallel port is capable of sending 50 to 100 kB of data per second. For bi-directional communication, it is also necessary to have an IEEE 1284 compliant parallel cord. Parallel ports manage a flow of data up to 1Mbps.
RS-232/422 High Speed Serial
The serial port is considered to be one of the most basic external links between a printer and a computer. The serial port has been in existence as a connectivity tool for over 20 years. A serial port operates by “serializing” data, hence the name. The port takes a byte of data and sends the 8 bits one at a time, over one wire. A serial port is also referred to as a COM, or communications port. They are bi-directional, meaning that the printer can send information back to, and receive data and commands from the computer.
Datamax printers offer either RS232 or RS422 serial connections. RS232 is popular because it’s widely available, inexpensive, and can use longer cables than many options. RS422 is also inexpensive, easy to add to a system, and supports even longer distances, higher speeds, and more nodes than RS232. The difference between the two is that RS232 serial cords are limited to a length of plus or minus 50 feet. Anything longer than that and the cord starts to drop data. However, RS485 cables can be up to 4000 feet in length. RS232 serial ports are standard on Datamax printers, but some printers offer an optional RS422 port. RS232 offers a maximum communication speed of 20kbps, and RS422 (available on the I- and W-Class Printers) offers 100Kbps.
