Black Box SW925A User Manual Download Page 14

25

MODULAR SMART SWITCH 

5.9  Buffer Status Indicators

The buffer status indicators show the state of the internal buffer memory in
the form of a bar graph:

• 

1

4

Indicator

—Buffer is over 1/4 full

• 

1

2

Indicator

—Buffer is over 1/2 full

• 

3

4

Indicator

—Buffer is over 3/4 full

• 

F (full) Indicator

—Buffer is completely full

If the buffer often fills to the 

3

4

level, consider purchasing additional

memory for increased performance.

NOTE

The Modular Smart Switch will always operate correctly even if the buffer
becomes full.  If you have any problems when the buffer memory is full,
check the handshaking settings on your equipment and your cabling.

24

MODULAR SMART SWITCH

5.7  Using the Modular Smart Switch

Printer and Plotter Sharing Applications

The Modular Smart Switch is now ready for use as a printer sharer for the
printer attached to port 1.  Data sent in from any computer will automatically
be sent to this port.

Users can print simultaneously, and the Modular Smart Switch will buffer

the information until it can be sent to the default printer/plotter.  All data
from one source is treated as a single printable file until there has been a
break in the transmission for more than the timeout period (see 

Section 4.1

).

If two or more printers/plotters are connected to the Modular Smart

Switch, you will need the software (see 

Chapter 6

) or software commands (see

Chapter 9

) to select between them.  Other options and facilities are also

detailed in these two sections.

General Datacomm Applications

Once you are communicating correctly with the Modular Smart Switch, you
can select between ports by sending ASCII command strings.  In addition to
the data destination, these ASCII command strings can be used to select the
timeout period, “broadcast” data to several ports, and make/break permanent
(no timeout) connections.  The serial ports on the Modular Smart Switch are
bidirectional.  Refer to 

Chapter 7

for details on how to use the command

strings and the connection options available.

5.8  Port Indicators (1 to 12)

The port indicators can be off, on, or flashing.

• 

Off

—When a port indicator is off, nothing is being transferred into or out

of that port and no data is available.

• 

On

—The port indicator is on when data is available.  If data has been sent

in on a port, the activity light will remain on until the port has timed out
(after no data has been sent for the timeout period).

• 

Flashing

—While data is being transferred either into or out of the Modular

Smart Switch, the activity indicator will flash.

Summary of Contents for SW925A

Page 1: ...hours a day 7 days a week Call 724 746 5500 or fax 724 746 0746 Mailing address Black Box Corporation 1000 Park Drive Lawrence PA 15055 1018 Web site www blackbox com E mail info blackbox com APRIL 20...

Page 2: ...s operated in a commercial environment Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause interference in which case the user at his own expense will be required to take whatever mea...

Page 3: ...ser le das antes de que el aparato el ctrico sea operado 2 Las instrucciones de seguridad y operaci n deber n ser guardadas para referencia futura 3 Todas las advertencias en el aparato el ctrico y e...

Page 4: ...22 5 7 Using the Modular Smart Switch 24 5 8 Port Indicators 1 to 12 24 5 9 Buffer Status Indicators 25 6 Using the Control Software 26 6 1 Installing the Resident Software 26 6 2 Running the Software...

Page 5: ...Transfer Software 42 8 3 Transferring Files Between PCs Not Compatible with IBM 42 8 4 General Hints and Tips 43 9 Software Commands 44 9 1 Introduction 44 9 2 Connect Command 45 9 2 1 Selecting a De...

Page 6: ...Meg Memory SW925A SW925AE includes Main chassis with 6 dual port module slots and 2 memory slots Software disk in 3 5 format Power lead with 115 VAC or 230 VAC plug 5 module blanking plates with fixi...

Page 7: ...ular Smart Switch contains two memory module slots A and B each of which can be fitted with a 1 MB or 2MB buffer memory module see Figure 3 1 The Modular Smart Switch is supplied as standard with a 1...

Page 8: ...ed on The buffer memory indicators will flash while the test is in progress and go off when the test is complete If all the channel and buffer indicators come on permanently then the buffer has been i...

Page 9: ...t Switch The ports on the Modular Smart Switch are configured using a number of option switches situated on the modules In addition to the port configuration the global timeout values can be set using...

Page 10: ...TPUT Automatic input output detection not guaranteed HIGH port switches LOW port switches 16 MODULAR SMART SWITCH Timeout Period When a user has sent no data for the timeout period the Modular Smart S...

Page 11: ...matic detection is not guaranteed to work with all equipment so if you experience any problems set the ports as dedicated inputs or outputs 4 3 Setting Serial Port Protocols and Options Protocols For...

Page 12: ...an existing cable is of the correct type because it has the correct connectors on each end or because it works between two other pieces of equipment Always use the cabling recommended in this manual C...

Page 13: ...57600 N 8 1 enter NOTE If you are sending plot print data from IBM compatibles using a serial port make sure that your AUTOEXEC BAT includes both the MODE with P option and ADMODE commands relevant to...

Page 14: ...eak in the transmission for more than the timeout period see Section 4 1 If two or more printers plotters are connected to the Modular Smart Switch you will need the software see Chapter 6 or software...

Page 15: ...be used can be specified once the software has been invoked using the PC PORT function and so these options are primarily for convenience only Hx H1 default 26 MODULAR SMART SWITCH 6 Using the Control...

Page 16: ...are as follows H1 selects CTRL ALT SHIFT H2 selects CTRL SHIFT H3 selects CTRL ALT H4 selects CTRL ALT H5 selects LEFT SHIFT RIGHT SHIFT SHIFT can be either the left or the right shift key The selecte...

Page 17: ...ected the PC port that you wish to use to print data With the dialog box displaying the correct PC port and DESTINATION highlighted press enter A new box will appear as shown below Enter the desired d...

Page 18: ...main menu NOTE Characters such as line feeds are displayed using an unusual set of non alphanumeric characters ADDER TECHNOLOGY ADMENU DIRECT OUTPUT DESTINATION FILE TRANSFER FUNCTIONS OPTIONS PORT 1...

Page 19: ...TIONS 34 MODULAR SMART SWITCH 6 9 Using the Functions Menu To enter the functions menu use the up and down cursor keys on the main menu to highlight FUNCTIONS and press enter The functions menu now al...

Page 20: ...tory on your PC At the DOS prompt type a command in the following format ADMODE COMn baud parity databits stopbits You only need to include a parameter after baud if it needs to be changed from the de...

Page 21: ...0 19200 4800 9600 19200 38400 57600 38400 57600 parity odd even none O E N N data bits 7 or 8 7 8 8 stop bits 1 or 2 1 2 1 Using the Control Software with Windows Version 3 1 Windows version 3 1 suppo...

Page 22: ...file transfer software A suitable batch file for Kermit would be as follows ADDER TECHNOLOGY ADMENU DESTINATION DIRECT OUTPUT FUNCTIONS OPTIONS PORT 1 COM1 ESC TO QUIT FILE TRANSFER ENTER TARGET PORT...

Page 23: ...th your Modular Smart Switch should be used together with file transfer software The control software allows you to increase the baud rate for all normal printing and plotting operations so you can us...

Page 24: ...and one copy on port 1 of every file sent from the computer issue the following command PM CONNECT 3 2 1 44 MODULAR SMART SWITCH 9 Software Commands 9 1 Introduction The Modular Smart Switch can be c...

Page 25: ...be switched off With the timeout off the output channel remains constantly dedicated to the input channel until an end of file command see Section 9 4 or a new connect command is sent The timeout rema...

Page 26: ...ine When the enter key is pressed the screen will display 1 File s copied This indicates that a file name TXT has been created that contains the software command text It is not normally possible to us...

Page 27: ...pted Data The most common cause of corrupted data when using serial interfaces is a handshake problem If you experience corrupted data when using serial ports check that the protocols set on your equi...

Page 28: ...TCH 10 7 Merged Printouts If the output from one computer has been printed in the middle of that from another you will probably need to increase the timeout period When no data has been sent from one...

Page 29: ...control in ve hardware HSIN Input handshake 25 Transmit data ve TXD Output A 2 Connecting to Computers RS 232 Connections RS 232 serial ports on computers tend to vary considerably The standard recom...

Page 30: ...Printers Most serial printers provide a standard DB25 connector for serial data The required cable wiring is shown in Figure A 3 This wiring configuration is suitable for many popular printers such as...

Page 31: ...TCH A 5 Connecting to Plotters A wide range of different pin configurations are used on plotter serial ports The following cable can be used for most plotters including those manufactured by Hewlett P...

Page 32: ...N HSIN TXD TXD HSOUT ve ve ve ve ve ve ve ve Flow control in Transmitted data out Flow control out Received data in 60 MODULAR SMART SWITCH A 7 Connecting to DEC LN03 Laser Printer The LN03 outputs it...

Page 33: ...16 INIT no connection OUTPUT high 17 SELECT IN no connection OUTPUT low 18 25 SIGNAL GROUND ground ground The cables need to have a DB25 connector for connecting to the Modular Smart Switch If possib...

Page 34: ...ect from IBM compatibles to the Modular Smart Switch require a 25 pin plug on both ends All lines should be connected straight through that is 1 to 1 2 to 2 etc B 3 Cable to 36 Pin Amphenol Connector...

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