Linksys WPS54G manual Appendix C About Bi-Directional Printing

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Wireless-G PrintServer

Appendix C: About Bi-Directional 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.

Bi-directional communication, communication from a printer to a PC, is normally handled by a combination of the printer hardware and special software on your computer. Bi-directional 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 bi-directional printer on a network poses unique challenges. Unlike a direct PC-to-printer connection during which a bi-directional 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 PrintServers to function with both regular as well as bi-directional printers. Standard print servers cannot work with bi-directional printers, but the PrintServer features a custom design to support both parallel as well as bi-directional parallel interfaces. However, the 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 using the Bi-Admin management utility software packaged with the PrintServer. The status-checking feature built into the management software does not require a bi-directional printer to function. If your printer came with special bi-directional 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 bi-directional function either by (1) removing any bi-directional printing software from your network computers, and/or (2) turning off the printer’s bi-directional 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.

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Appendix C: About Bi-Directional Printing

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Contents 802 GHz .11g Wireless- G How to Use this User Guide Copyright and TrademarksTable of Contents Bi-Admin Management Appendix a TroubleshootingAppendix B Wireless Security Internet Printing Protocol IPPPrintServer’s Bottom Panel PrintServer’s Front PanelWireless Tab Security WEP Introduction WelcomeWhat’s in this Guide? Wireless-G PrintServer USB Connector-Type a Getting to Know the PrintServerBottom Panel PrintServer’s LEDs are located on the front panel Power Front PanelConnecting the PrintServer Connecting the PrintServer to Your NetworkOverview Placement Options Desktop PlacementConfiguring the PrintServer Using the Setup Wizard InstallationBasic Settings Ssid your wireless network’s name Wireless Security Settings Confirmation Windows Driver Installation Choose Destination Location Setup Complete Starting the Print Driver Utility InformationConfigure Printer Port Configuring the PrintServer Using the Web-based Utility Setup Tab PasswordWPS54G Device Name ProtocolsProtocol Tab TCP/IP IP AddressConnection Protocol Tab AppleTalk CommunicationProtocol Tab NetBEUI Domain NameOptions Protocol Tab Snmp GeneralManagement Stations Trap ReceiversWireless Tab Basic ConfigurationWireless Tab Security Wireless SecurityPrinter Tab Internet Printing Mail ServerPrinter Printer Tab Logical Port Select PrinterDetails Status Tab Device Server DetailsStatus Tab Wireless Status Tab PrinterExit Tab Bi-Admin Management Bi-Admin InstallationSelect Program Folder Starting the Bi-Admin Management Utility Connected ProtocolBi-Admin Management Utility Menu OptionsPrinter Status 10 Configuration System TCP/IP 12 Configuration AppleTalk 13 Configuration NetBEUI 14 Configuration Internet Printing 15 Configuration Port 16 Configuration Wireless Snmp 18 Upgrade Windows IPP Client Setup Installing using setup.exeInternet Printing Protocol IPP IPP Client Configuration for Windows 98, Me, 2000, and XP Changing the IPP Port Settings IPP Client Setup for Windows XPIPP Client Setup for Windows Windows XP Specify a PrinterUsing IPP Printers Appendix a Troubleshooting Common Problems and SolutionsNeed to upgrade the firmware Appendix B Wireless Security Security PrecautionsSecurity Threats Facing Wireless Networks Appendix B Wireless Security Wireless-G PrintServer Appendix C About Bi-Directional Printing Appendix D Upgrading Firmware Figure D-1 Status Tab DeviceAppendix E Windows Help Shared ResourcesNetwork Neighborhood/My Network Places Appendix F Glossary Wireless-G PrintServer Wireless-G PrintServer Wireless-G PrintServer Wireless-G PrintServer Wireless-G PrintServer Wireless-G PrintServer Appendix G Specifications Appendix H Warranty Information Limited WarrantyAppendix I Regulatory Information FCC StatementSafety Notices Chapter J Contact Information
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