Memory

The random access memory (RAM) on the formatter PCA contains the page, I/O buffers, and the font storage area. It stores printing and font information received from the host system, and can also serve to temporarily store a full page of print-image data before the data is sent to the print engine. Memory capacity can be increased by adding a DIMM to the formatter. Note that adding memory might also increase the print speed for complex graphics.

NOTE: If the product encounters a problem when managing available memory, a clearable warning message appears on the control-panel display.

Optional hard disk

This product supports an optional EIO hard disk or an optional secure hard disk as an accessory.

Firmware

The firmware is contained on NAND flash memory soldered on the formatter board. A remote firmware upgrade process is available, which overwrites the firmware in the NAND flash.

Nonvolatile memory

The product uses nonvolatile memory (NVRAM) to store device and user configuration settings. The contents of NVRAM are retained when the product is turned off or disconnected.

PJL overview

The printer job language (PJL) is an integral part of configuration, in addition to the standard printer command language (PCL). With standard cabling, the product can use PJL to perform a variety of functions such as these:

●Two-way communication with the host computer through a network connection or a USB connection. The product can inform the host about such things as the control-panel settings, and the control-panel settings can be changed from the host.

●Dynamic I/O switching. The product uses this switching to be configured with a host on each I/O. The product can receive data from more than one I/O simultaneously, until the I/O buffer is full. This can occur even when the product is offline.

●Context-sensitive switching. The product can automatically recognize the personality (PS or PCL) of each job and configure itself to serve that personality.

●Isolation of print environment settings from one print job to the next. For example, if a print job is sent to the product in landscape mode, the subsequent print jobs print in landscape mode only if they are formatted for landscape printing.

PML

The printer management language (PML) allows remote configuration and status read-back through the I/O ports.

Control panel

The formatter sends and receives product status and command data to and from the control-panel PCA.

ENWW

Formatter-control system 5