Axis NPS 550 User manual

Preface
Axis NPS 550 User’s Manual 1
Preface
Thank you for purchasing the Axis NPS 550 Network Print Server. Our
goal in developing this product is to enable you to connect your printers
anywhere in your network, allowing all network users access to shared
printer resources.
About Axis
Axis Communications, founded in 1984, is one of the world’s fastest
growing companies in the printer interface andnetwork print server
market.The head quarters arelocatedin Lund, Sweden, with subsidiaries
in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong.
Axis Communications has a distributor network operating in more than
60 countries world-wide, marketing three product lines:
Network CD-
ROM Servers CD-ROM serversprovide a flexible and cost-efficient solution for sharing CD-ROMsacrossthe network.They are available in Ethernetand Token
Ring versions, with or without built in drive option.
Network Print
Servers These intelligent Ethernet and Token Ring print servers support a wide range of LAN protocols. The Axis NPS 530, 532, 550, AXIS 150 and
152 are Ethernet print servers, and the Axis NPS 630, 632 and 650 are
Token Ring print servers.
IBM Mainframe
and S/3x – AS/
400 Printer
Interfaces
These products include awide range of plug-in interfaces and free
standing products such as the Cobra+ and the AFP IPDS-to-PostScript
converter.
Axis NPS 550RISC User’s Manual Version 2.0
Part No.:13656 October 1995
Copyright © Axis Communications AB

Preface
2Axis NPS 550 User’s Manual
About this manual
Thismanual willguide you through a simple step-by-stepinstallationand
configuration procedure. It is divided into four sections:
Introduction The NPS 550 print server, how it works, where to use it, and its main
features.
Getting started How to connect your NPS 550 to your printers, and how to install it in
yournetwork.
Setup How to set up your NPS 550 for the NetWare, Windows, OS/2, Unix
and Macintosh environments.
Advanced options An overview of unique NPS 550 functions that allows you to tailor your
printer resources for specific needs.
The manual applies to the NPS 550 with firmware release 5.00 and
subsequent releasesuntil otherwise notified. Please refer to the Axis NPS
PrintServerTechnical Referenceforfurtherinformationoffunctionsand
parameters.
Every care has been taken in the preparation of thismanual; if you detect
any inaccuracies or omissions, pleaseinformus at the address ontheback
cover. Axis Communications AB cannot be held responsible for any
technical or typographical errorsand reserves theright to make changes to
the product and manuals without prior notice.

Preface
Axis NPS 550 User’s Manual 3
Emission notices
USA This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used
in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause interference to radio communications. It has
been tested and found to comply with thelimits for a Class A computing device pursuant to Subpart
B ofPart 15 of FCC rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection againstsuch
interference when operated in a commercial environment. Operation of this equipment in a
residential area islikely tocause interference in which case the user at his own expense will be required
to take whatever measures may be requiredto correct the interference. Shielded cables should be used
with this unit to ensure compliance with the Class A limits.
Europe This digital equipment fulfils the requirements for radiated emission according to limit B of
EN55022/1987, and the requirements for immunity according to EN50082-1/1992 residential,
commercial, and light industry. (Compliance is not valid for unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cabling.)
Trademark acknowledgements
Unix, Novell, NetWare, Microsoft, Windows, LANServer, LAN
Manager, IBM, OS/2, AIX, MVS, SunOS, Ultrix, Hewlett-Packard, and
Lexmark are registered trademarks of the respective holders.

Table of contents
4Axis NPS 550 User’s Manual
Table of contents
1Introduction 6
How It Works 7
Where To Use it 7
Main Features 9
2Getting started 10
Printer Installation 12
Network Installation 13
3Setup for NetWare 14
Print Server Mode (Automatic) 17
Print Server Mode (Parameter Controlled) 19
Print Server Mode (File Server Controlled) 20
Remote Printer Mode 24
Verify the Communication 28
4Setup for Windows 29
Windows 3.1 30
Windows for Workgroups 31
Windows 95 33
Windows NT 35
Windows NT - LPD printing 37
5Setup for OS/2 38
Activate the NetBEUI Protocol 39
Install the Axis Print Utility for OS/2 39
Install the NPS 550 40
Create a Print Queue 41
Sharing Print Queues 42
Verify the Communication 43
6Setup for Unix systems 44
Prepare your system 45

Table of contents
Axis NPS 550 User’s Manual 5
Set up your NPS 550 46
Set up and attach a print queue 50
Print methods 52
7Setup for Macintosh 53
Choose a Printer 54
Verify the Communication 55
8Advanced Options 56
Logical Printers 57
Character Set Conversion 59
Strings Before and AfterPrint Jobs 60
String Substitutions 61
PostScript Functions 62
Action at Printer Busy 64
Hex Dump Mode 64
Telnet Login 65
Accounting 66
Status Logging 67
Locally Administrated Address 68
SNMP 69
AThe parameter list 70
NetWare, Windows, OS/2 70
Unix (TCP/IP) 71
Apple EtherTalk 71
Factory Default Settings 72
The Config File 73
BInternal printouts 79
CTechnical specifications 80
DHow to contact Axis 82
Axis on-line service 82
The Axis offices 83

Section 1: Introduction
6Axis NPS 550 User’s Manual
Section 1
Introduction
The Axis NPS 550 is a stand-alone network
print server for the Ethernet environment.
Using the NPS 550 makes it possible to
connect your printers anywherein an Ethernet
network, allowing all network users access to
shared printer resources.
The NPS 550 connects your printer
directly to your Ethernet network, no
matter if you are using a PC, PS/2,
Macintosh or Unix system. The multiple
protocol support makes it possible to print
under NetWare, Microsoft and IBM
networks, Apple EtherTalk and TCP/IP
simultaneously.
In addition, the NPS 550 provides you
with two high-speed parallel ports and one
serial port, allowing any combinationof up
to three standard printers or plotters. It
combines a high degree of user-friendliness
in both installation proceduresand print
managementwith anequallyhighdegreeof
flexibility thanks to its powerful built-in
functions

Section 1: Introduction
Axis NPS 550 User’s Manual 7
How It Works
Ethernet network print data is transmitted as packets using a high-speed
protocol very different from the standards used by serial or parallel printers.
Each packet contains information about the sender, the receiver, how to
unpack the packet, and the data itself.
The NPS 550 acts as a node in the Ethernet network, with its own unique
address. It receives the packets addressed to it, unpacks them, and converts the
print data to a format suitable for standard printers.
It is physically attached to the network by either thin-wire (10base2) or
twisted-pair (10baseT) Ethernet cabling. The print data can be directed to two
high-speed parallel ports and one serial port, making it possible to print on
three different printers at the same time.
Where To Use it
The NPS 550 can communicate
with PC, PS/2, Unix and
Macintosh systems. It supports
four different network
protocols: NetWare, Microsoft
and IBM networks, TCP/IP,
and Apple EtherTalk. Since the
NPS 550 can handle these
protocols simultaneously, it’s
the ideal printer server solution
for a mixed environment.
NPS 550 UNIX
Novell
PC
Macintosh
IBM
Parallel
Parallel Serial

Section 1: Introduction
8 Axis NPS 550 User’s Manual
NetWare The NPS 550 has two different modes in the NetWare environment –
Print Server Mode and Remote Printer Mode.
In Print Server Mode, the NPS 550 emulates a NetWare Print Server. At
power-onit willloginto each file serverinthe network tofind out which
print queues are to be serviced. Up to 16 file servers and upto 96 print
queues are supported.
In Remote Printer Mode, the NPS 550 appears as a NetWare Remote
Printer. At power-on it will log in and attach to up to eight specified
NetWare print servers.
Windows The NPS 550 is set up using the supplied Axis Print Utility for Windows.
You may print through a server (client-server), or directly (peer-to-peer).
The supported platforms are Windows for Workgroups, Windows 95
and Windows NT.
OS/2 The NPS 550 is integrated to the OS/2 Spooler using the supplied Axis
Print Utility for OS/2. The printers attached to theNPS 550will appear as
connected directly to the file server, andmay be usedby any PC running
LAN Server or LAN Manager on your network.
Unix systems The NPS 550 can operate as an integrated part of your system. The
printers connected to the NPS 550 will appear as if they were connected
directly to the host printer spooler.
You have several protocols and print methodsto choose from. The
method you should select depends on your requirements, and what
system you are running. Five print methods are supported in TCP/IP:
LPD, FTP, PROS A (named pipe) PROS B (filter) and Reverse Telnet.
Any host supporting the TCP/IP suite of protocols is supported by the
NPS 550.
Macintosh The NPS550 will appear as three LaserWriter printers connected toyour
AppleTalk network.Once selected from the Chooser in the Apple menu,
they can be used as any other LaserWriter.

Section 1: Introduction
Axis NPS 550 User’s Manual 9
Main Features
Reliability The Axis NPS 550 hardware provides high performance and reliability
combined with low power consumption. It is basedon the Axis ETRAX
chip with an integrated32 bit RISC CPU and Ethernet controller.
Flexibility It supports NetWare, Microsoft and IBM networks, TCP/IP and Apple
EtherTalk simultaneously. Fivedifferent print methodsare supported for
Unix systems. You may connect and print on up to three printers
simultaneously.
Speed The sustained throughput exceeds 250 kbytes per second. High-speed
Centronics communication such as Hewlett-Packard Fast Mode is
supported.
Easy to Install Use PCONSOLE for NetWare Installation, Axis Print Utility for
Windows and OS/2, the supplied axinstall script for Unix systems, and
the Chooser for Macintosh.
Logical Printers This unique Axis concept allows you toperform autoASCIIto PostScript
conversions, use different character sets, or select multiple bins and form
sizes on the same printer.
Accounting The accounting function lets you keep track of the last ten print jobs.
Security You may set up passwords for all users, restricting both log in and printer
access.

Section 2: Getting started
10 Axis NPS 550 User’s Manual
Section 2
Getting started
Unpackand inspect allparts for damage. Contact your dealer if
anything is missing. All packing materials are recyclable.
The standard
delivery • NPS 550 Print Server; part no. 0037-3
• NPS 550 User's Manual; part no. 13656
• NPS 550 Quick Installation Guide; part no. 13657
• Warranty registration form; part no. 13510
• Parallel Printer Cable, part no. 13360
• 3.5" disk with NPS Installation Utilities for
NetWare, Windows and OS/2; part no. 13493
• Power Supply Europe; part no. 13267 or
• Power Supply UK; part no. 13268 or
• Power Supply Australia; part no. 13269 or
• Power Supply USA; part no. 13270
Optional
accessories • Self-adhesive Velcro ribbons; part no. 13282 and 13283
• BNC T-adapter; part no.12839
• Serial Printer Cable; part no. 13281
• Parallel Printer Cable; part no. 13360
• NPS Print Server Technical Reference and
Adobe Acrobat Reader; see Appendix D.

Section 2: Getting started
Axis NPS 550 User’s Manual 11
The NPS 550 back and front panels
10baseT Connector
10base2 Connector
External Power
Supply Connector
Test Button
POWER Indicator
PACKET Indicator
PRINTER Indicator
STATUS Indicator
FRONTBACK
LPT1 Printer Connector
Parallel
LPT2 Printer Connector
Parallel
COM1 Printer connector
Serial

Section 2: Getting started
12 Axis NPS 550 User’s Manual
Printer Installation
Connect a parallel printer to NPS 550 and make a test printout:
1. Switch off the printer.
2. Connect the printer to the LPT1 port using the supplied printer
cable.
3. Connect the external power supply. The indicators will flash during
power-on and self-test. When the STATUS indicator stops flashing
and remains unlit, the NPS 550 is ready for use.
4. Switch on the printer.
5. Press and hold the test button until the STATUS indicator startsto
flash, then release the button to print a test page.
The test page shows the software revision and the basic setup of your
NPS 550.
Note: The NPS 550 supports high-speed Centronics communication such as
Hewlett-Packard Fast Mode. This function is disabled by default, since
some printers support standard Centronics only. To activate high-speed
Centronics, change the Output Menu parameters L1_CENTR and/or
L2_CENTR to HISPEED asoutlined in Appendix A.
Before you begin: Make sure that the external power supply is marked with the correct
mains voltage.

Section 2: Getting started
Axis NPS 550 User’s Manual 13
Network Installation
1. Record the serial number of your NPS 550. You will need this
number for the setup.
2. Connect your NPS 550 to the network using a twisted-pair
(10baseT) or a thin-wire (10base2) Ethernet cable.
Note: Each NPS print server is preconfigured with a unique Node Address
(identical to the serial number). You can change this to a Locally
Administrated Address, see page 68.
The installation is now completed. Proceed with the setup sections for
NetWare, Windows, OS/2, Unix and/or Macintosh.
Before you begin: • Make sure that your network is ready to accept a new node.
• Any network configuration should always involve the network
manager.

Section 3: Setup for NetWare
14 Axis NPS 550 User’s Manual
Section 3
Setup for NetWare
TheNPS550 can run ineitherPrint Server Mode, Remote Printer Mode or
bothsimultaneously. The basic configuration is done using the
PCONSOLE software supplied from Novell, and if you choose a setup
other than the automatic print server mode, also with AXCFG supplied
with the NPS 550.
The overview on the following pages explains the advantagesand
limitations of each mode. Select the mode that best fits your needs, then
carry out the configuration as described laterin this section.
Before configuring yourNetWare system, you may want toconfigure the
NPS 550 (e.g. logical printer definitions). This is done using the AXCFG
software on the disk supplied with the NPS 550.
On the disk you will find a text file called read.me, containinginstallation
instructions for AXCFG in the Novell environment.
Before you begin: • Make sure that the NPS 550 is powered on and attached to the
network.
•Youwillneedroot privileges on the system.
• Have the serial number found on the back of the NPS 550
available.
• Any network configuration should always involve the network
manager.
• If you use NetWare 4.0 or later, you must set up your file server for
bindery emulationby specifying the Bindery Context parameter. See
your Novell documentation for details.

Section 3: Setup for NetWare
Axis NPS 550 User’s Manual 15
Print Server Mode An NPS 550 in print server mode emulates a Novell print server (a
workstation running PSERVER). This is the recommended mode for
medium-sized to large networks.
There are three different ways to set upthe print server mode, depending
on how you want the NPS 550 to log in to the servers at power-up, and
how you want to manage printer and queue configurations:
Automatic Log-In The NPS 550 will automatically detect and log in to all NetWare servers
on the network at power-on. See page 17 for setup procedures.
Parameter
Controlled Log-In The NPS 550 will log in to only those NetWare servers specified by the NPS 550 configuration. See page 19 for setup procedures.
Advantages Limitations
High performance (typically 200 kbytes/s).
Easy to set up – no NPS 550 configuration
required for automatic mode.
Requires a NetWare user licence for each
NPS 550.
The NPS 550 power-up takes a long time on
large networks
Advantages Limitations
High performance (typically 200 kbytes/s).
Avoids the prolonged NPS power-up time
caused by the automatic file server login.
You can link a queue to a logical printer with-
out having to use the !n queue name exten-
sion.
An unavailable file server will not affect the
access of the remaining specified servers.
Requires a NetWare user licence for each
NPS 550.
Requires configuration of the NPS 550.
Difficult to manage print queues on larger
networks.

Section 3: Setup for NetWare
16 Axis NPS 550 User’s Manual
File Server
Controlled Log-In The NPS 550 will first log in to the Configuration File Server,and thento anyadditionalNetWare serversfoundin thefile server configuration. See
page 20 for setup procedures.
Remote Printer
Mode An NPS 550 in remote printer mode emulates a workstation running RPRINTER or NPRINTER (the Novell remote printer software). It is
attached to a NetWare print server, that is either located on the file server
(PSERVER.NLM), or a dedicated workstation running PSERVER.EXE.
This mode is only recommended for small networks where the number of
NetWare user licences is a major issue.
The setup procedure involves adding a printer, linking the printer to one
ormore print queues, and finally specifying which NetWare print servers
the NPS 550 shall attach to. The first two steps are carried out in
PCONSOLE, and the last step is done in AXCFG (supplied with the
NPS 550). See page 24 for setup procedures.
Advantages Limitations
High performance (typically 200 kbytes/s).
Avoids the prolonged NPS power-up time
caused by the automatic file server login.
Simplifies the queue and printer set-up and
maintenance, especially on larger networks.
You can link a queue to a logical printer with-
out having to use the !n queue name exten-
sion.
Requires a NetWare user licence for each
NPS 550.
Requires configuration of the NPS 550.
If the configuration file server is unavailable,
then none of the queues will be serviced.
Advantages Limitations
Allows up to 8 printers per NetWare user
licence. Lower performance – 20 - 100 kbytes/s for NLM, and 70 kbytes/s for EXE.
Requires configuration of the NPS 550.
Higher network load.

Section 3: Setup for NetWare
Axis NPS 550 User’s Manual 17
Print Server Mode (Automatic)
The setup procedure involves adding a print server and linking it to one
or more print queues. Bothsteps are carriedout in PCONSOLE.
Add a Print Server Follow these steps to add a print serverto your NetWare environment:
1. Log in to a file server from a client workstation.
2. StartPCONSOLE.
3. NetWare 4.xx only:Press <F4> to switch to Bindery Mode.
4. Select Print Server Information (3.xx) or Print Servers (4.xx).
5. Press <Insert> to add a new Print Server.
6. Enter the Print Server Name: AXIS<nnnnnn> (see notes below)
<nnnnnn> are the last six digits of the NPS 550 serial number.
7. Press Escape to return to the Main Menu.
Repeat this procedure for each file server using the NPS 550.
Notes: 1. If the serial number of your NPS 550 is00408C100086, then the
default name is AXIS100086. The serial number is found on the label
at the back of the NPS 550.
2. You may change the default name using AXCFG, the Axis Configura-
tion Software. This must be done before running PCONSOLE.
3. The print servername is case insensitive in print server mode. Both
AXIS100086 and Axis100086 are valid default print server names.

Section 3: Setup for NetWare
18 Axis NPS 550 User’s Manual
Link a Print
Queue to the
Print Server
The next step is to link a print queue to the print server:
1. Start PCONSOLE according to steps 1-3 on the previous page.
2. Select Print Queue Information (3.xx) or Print Queues (4.xx). If you
plan to use an existing queue, then skip to step 5.
3. Press <Insert> to add a new queue.
4. Type a queue name, and press <Enter>. (see note below)
5. Select the queue that you want the NPS 550 to service. The Print
Queue Informationmenu appears.
6. Select Queue Servers (3.xx) or Print Servers (4.xx).
7. Press <Insert> to display the Queue Server Candidates list.
8. Select AXIS<nnnnnn>.
9. Press <Escape> repeatedly to return to the main menu.
Repeat this procedure for every queue you want the NPS 550 to service.
The NPS 550 supports up to 96 print queues, defined on up to 16 file
servers.
Note: Assuming that you have the default Logical Printer settings, output from
the print queue will be directed to the LPT1 output of the NPS 550. If
you want to print to LPT2, the queue name must end with ‘!2’. When
printing to NPS 550 serial port, the queue name must end with ‘!3’.
Example: The Print Queue is called ‘DESKTOP!2’. Printouts will be directed to
LPT2 (with the default logical printersettings).
Note thatthe number afterthe exclamation mark refers to the logical
printer number rather than the port number. You can bypass any queue
name restrictions by using one of the alternative print server modes
described on the following pages.

Section 3: Setup for NetWare
Axis NPS 550 User’s Manual 19
Print Server Mode (Parameter Controlled)
This is similar to the automatic print server mode, but the NPS 550 will
not automatically log in to all file serversand scan for queues to service.
Instead, the file servers and print queuesare specifiedby a set of
parameters in the NPS 550 configuration. This is the recommended
method for medium-sized networks.
NetWare
Configuration The NetWare configuration is identical to the one described for automatic print servermode. Follow the instructions in“Add a Print
Server”(page 17) and “Linka Print Queue to the Print Server”(page 18)to
add a print server and assign queues to it.
NPS 550
Configuration The configuration involves specifying which NetWare file servers and printqueues the NPS 550 shall attach to. This is done usingAXCFG, the
Axis NPS configuration software on the disk supplied with the NPS 550.
Follow the instructions in the read.me file on the disk to install the
software, then proceedas follows:
1. Start AXCFG, and select NetWare.
2. Select No at the ‘Look for old print servers’ prompt unless you are
configuring an NPS 550 with software revision prior to 4.20.
3. Choose Select All Networks, then select your NPS 550.
4. Type root and pass at the login prompt.
5. Select NETWARE MENU.
6. Select LOGIN1.
7. Type the name of the NetWare file server, the print queue, and the
logical printer number. Use the fileserverand printqueuenamefrom
the NetWare configuration above, and one of the logical printer num-
bers 1–8.

Section 3: Setup for NetWare
20 Axis NPS 550 User’s Manual
8. To specify moreprint queues, select LOGIN2 through LOGIN16 in
consecutive order. Repeat step 7 for each print queue.
9. Select Save, then select Cancel until AXCFG closes down.
Print Server Mode (File Server Controlled)
This method uses a NetWare file server (the Configuration File Server) to
hold the print queue information. The NPS 550 will not automatically
log in to all file servers and scan for queues to service. Instead, the file
serversandprint queuesare specifiedonthe configurationfileserver.This
is the recommended method for large networks, since it simplifies the
maintenance of a large number of print queues.
NetWare
Configuration The NetWare configuration is different from the automatic and parameter controlled modes. Instead of setting up queues on several file
servers, all queues are set up and maintainedon the configuration file
server. The configuration procedure depends on whichNetWare version
you are using.