Black Box SW928C, SW929C, SW927C manual Software Commands, Introduction, Connect Command, PM Connect

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MODULAR SMART SWITCH

9. Software Commands

9.1 Introduction

The Modular Smart Switch can be controlled by sending software commands to it from any computer (serial or parallel). These commands let you change to switch between ports and give access to some more advanced features of the Modular Smart Switch. The control software (see Chapter 6) for use with IBM PCs automatically generates the required software commands. This section gives the format and purpose of each command.

All software commands have the following format:

<PM command {parameters}>

The command must begin with the three characters <PM and end with a single character >. In the following text, UPPER CASE is used to represent a keyword, for example, CONNECT. Anything that is in {brackets} is optional. Text that is in lower case should be replaced by the keyword or option that it represents.

For example, the command to connect to channel 2 (serial) would be as follows:

<PM CONNECT 2>

A string of characters will only be recognized as a command if all the characters are correct, thus making confusion with normal text extremely unlikely. Software commands should be sent to the Modular Smart Switch as a string of ASCII characters. A suitable way of doing this would be to create a file containing the required command, and “print” it when needed, though there are many other possibilities such as inserting the required selection string at the top of a word processor document (refer to your computer manuals). Users of IBM compatible computers can create batch files that send software commands (see Section 9.5 for notes on how to create these).

Items in a software command can be separated by spaces, tabs, line feeds, or form feeds; however, only one of these may be used between each item. In the following sections, references to single spaces apply equally to single tabs, single line feeds, and single form feeds.

MODULAR SMART SWITCH

9.2 Connect Command

9.2.1SELECTING A DESTINATION PORT

By default, the Modular Smart Switch automatically sends all data to port 1. To send data to a different port or route back to port 1, use the following command:

<PM CONNECT port>

where “port” represents a port number from 1 to 12.

The new destination will now be used for all subsequent data sent into the port that gave the command until either a new command is sent, or the Modular Smart Switch is powered off.

9.2.2PRINTING SEVERAL COPIES

If several copies of a document are required, you do not need to send the file repeatedly. The connect command allows up to 255 copies to be generated from a single file. The format of the multiple copy command is:

<PM CONNECT port:copies>

To print three copies of a file on the printer/plotter attached to port 1, the command becomes:

<PM CONNECT 1:3>

NOTE

The extra copies will not begin to be printed until the Modular Smart Switch has accepted the whole file into its memory. This is normally when no further data has been received for the timeout period, which is initially set to 16 seconds. The timeout may be altered or switched off if necessary (see Section 9.2.4). Alternatively, an end-of-file command will tell the Modular Smart Switch that it now has the whole file (see Section 9.4). If the file is too large to fit inside the buffer, then you cannot print more than one copy.

9.2.3BROADCASTING DATA TO SEVERAL DEVICES

To set the Modular Smart Switch to broadcast data to several ports simultaneously, use the CONNECT command and specify a list of ports that the data is to be sent to (up to 4 in total). Separate the port numbers with a space. The multiple copy CONNECT command can also be repeated in this way. For example, to print two copies on port 3 and one copy on port 1 of every file sent from the computer, issue the following command:

<PM CONNECT 3:2 1>

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Contents Modular Smart Switch Modular Smart Switch Modular Smart Switch Contents Chapter Modular Smart Switch Specifications FeaturesIntroduction Product InformationInstalling Memory and Port Modules Fitting Expansion-Buffer MemoryFitting Port Modules Fitting Port ModulesConfiguring the Modular Smart Switch Setting the Global Timeout PeriodTimeout Period OFFSetting Serial-Port Protocols and Options ProtocolsHardware Handshake Software HandshakeInstalling the Modular Smart Switch Positioning the Modular Smart SwitchConnecting Devices to the Modular Smart Switch Selecting Ports for Your EquipmentSwitching On Mode LPT1=COM1Enabling Computers Computers Connected to Parallel PortsUsing the Modular Smart Switch Port Indicators 1 toBuffer Status Indicators Using the Control Software Installing the Resident SoftwareCommand-Line Options Running the Control Software from the DOS PromptUsing the Control Software Running the Control Software from within Microsoft WindowsRight Shift Main Menu Selecting a Destination Printer, Plotter, or ModemDirect Output of Typed Keyboard Characters File Transfer Direct Output Functions Options DestinationUsing the Functions Menu Setting the OptionsSerial Port Control Utility Admode COMn baud, parity, databits, stopbitsExample High-Baud-Rate LimitationsUsing the Control Software with Windows Version EitherUsing the Modular Smart Switch to Transfer Files Transferring Files Between IBM Compatible PCsUsing the Control Software with File-Transfer Software Transferring Data Between PCs Not Compatible with IBMGeneral Hints and Tips HotkeySoftware Commands Connect CommandIntroduction PM ConnectClear Command End-of-File CommandPM Connect 1 Timeoutoff PM ClearSending Default Start-of-Day Destination Ports Troubleshooting Appendix a Serial Ports Merged PrintoutsPrint Data Transmitted but File Transfer Fails RS-232 and RS-422 Pin AssignmentsConnecting to Computers-RS-232 Connections CTSConnecting to Printers Connecting to ModemsConnecting to Plotters Connecting to NEC SpinwriterConnecting to DEC LN03 Laser Printer RS-422 CablesAppendix B Parallel Ports Parallel Pin AssignmentsCable to 36-Pin Amphenol Connector Cable for IBM PC, PC/XT, AT, or Compatible