Black Box DataBuffer Plus User manual

1000 Park Drive • Lawrence, PA 15055-1018 • 724-746-5500 • Fax [phone]
© Copyright 1999. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved.

CUSTOMER
SUPPORT
INFORMATION
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Mail order: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018
Web site: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: [email protected]
SEPTEMBER 1999
PI405A(E) PI415A(E) PI420A(E) PI425A(E)
PI406A(E) PI416A(E) PI421A(E) PI426A(E)
PI407A(E) PI417A(E) PI422A(E) PI427A(E)
PI408A(E) PI418A(E) PI423A(E) PI428A(E)
PI409A(E) PI419A(E) PI424A(E) PI429A(E)
DataBuffer Plus
Copy/
Pause Reset STATUS
Data Buffer Plus

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DATABUFFER PLUS
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
AND
INDUSTRY CANADA
RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENTS
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not
installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions, may cause interference to radio communication. It has been tested
and found to comply with the limits for a Class A computing device in accordance
with the specifications in Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC rules, which are designed to
provide reasonable protection against such interference when the equipment is
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 measures may be necessary to correct
the interference.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emission from
digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulation of Industry Canada.
Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites
applicables aux appareils numériques de la classe A prescrites dans le Règlement sur le
brouillage radioélectrique publié par Industrie Canada.

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DATABUFFER PLUS
NORMAS OFICIALES MEXICANAS (NOM)
ELECTRICAL SAFETY STATEMENT
INSTRUCCIONES DE SEGURIDAD
1. Todas las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser leídas antes
de que el aparato eléctrico sea operado.
2. Las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser guardadas para
referencia futura.
3. Todas las advertencias en el aparato eléctrico y en sus instrucciones de
operación deben ser respetadas.
4. Todas las instrucciones de operación y uso deben ser seguidas.
5. El aparato eléctrico no deberá ser usado cerca del agua—por ejemplo, cerca
de la tina de baño, lavabo, sótano mojado o cerca de una alberca, etc..
6. El aparato eléctrico debe ser usado únicamente con carritos o pedestales que
sean recomendados por el fabricante.
7. El aparato eléctrico debe ser montado a la pared o al techo sólo como sea
recomendado por el fabricante.
8. Servicio—El usuario no debe intentar dar servicio al equipo eléctrico más allá
a lo descrito en las instrucciones de operación. Todo otro servicio deberá ser
referido a personal de servicio calificado.
9. El aparato eléctrico debe ser situado de tal manera que su posición no
interfiera su uso. La colocación del aparato eléctrico sobre una cama, sofá,
alfombra o superficie similar puede bloquea la ventilación, no se debe colocar
en libreros o gabinetes que impidan el flujo de aire por los orificios de
ventilación.
10. El equipo eléctrico deber ser situado fuera del alcance de fuentes de calor
como radiadores, registros de calor, estufas u otros aparatos (incluyendo
amplificadores) que producen calor.

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DATABUFFER PLUS
11. El aparato eléctrico deberá ser connectado a una fuente de poder sólo del
tipo descrito en el instructivo de operación, o como se indique en el aparato.
12. Precaución debe ser tomada de tal manera que la tierra fisica y la polarización
del equipo no sea eliminada.
13. Los cables de la fuente de poder deben ser guiados de tal manera que no
sean pisados ni pellizcados por objetos colocados sobre o contra ellos,
poniendo particular atención a los contactos y receptáculos donde salen
del aparato.
14. El equipo eléctrico debe ser limpiado únicamente de acuerdo a las
recomendaciones del fabricante.
15. En caso de existir, una antena externa deberá ser localizada lejos de las lineas
de energia.
16. El cable de corriente deberá ser desconectado del cuando el equipo
no sea usado por un largo periodo de tiempo.
17. Cuidado debe ser tomado de tal manera que objectos liquidos no sean
derramados sobre la cubierta u orificios de ventilación.
18. Servicio por personal calificado deberá ser provisto cuando:
A: El cable de poder o el contacto ha sido dañado; u
B: Objectos han caído o líquido ha sido derramado dentro del aparato; o
C: El aparato ha sido expuesto a la lluvia; o
D: El aparato parece no operar normalmente o muestra
un cambio en su desempeño; o
E: El aparato ha sido tirado o su cubierta ha sido dañada.

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DATABUFFER PLUS
TRADEMARKS
The trademarks mentioned in this manual are the sole property of their owners.

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DATABUFFER PLUS
CONTENTS
1. Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3. Installation and Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.1 Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.2 Self Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4. Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.1 Switches and Pushbuttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.1.1 Reset Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.1.2 LEDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.1.3 Copy/Pause Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.2 Handshaking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.2.1 Hardware Handshaking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.2.2 X-ON/X-OFF Handshaking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4.3 DataBuffer Plus Input and Output Port Pinouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
5. Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

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DATABUFFER PLUS
1. Specifications
Speed — 300 to 115,200 bps
Memory — PI405, PI415, PI420, PI425 models: 128 KB; PI406, PI416, PI421,
PI426 models: 256 KB; PI407, PI417, PI422, PI427 models: 512 KB; PI408,
PI418, PI423, PI428 models: 1 MB; PI409, PI419, PI424, PI429 models: 2 MB
Flow Control — Serial: X-ON/X-OFF or hardware; Parallel: Hardware, Busy,
ACK
Data Format — 7 or 8 data bits, Parity even or odd
Interface — RS-232 async ASCII (input port is DTE, output port is DCE)
Connectors — (1) DB25 female input; (1) DB25 female output
Display — Four-digit LED display
Power — 115/230 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 20 watts, 5 VDC, 1 amp
Size — 2.4"H x 8.1"W x 6.3"D (6.1 x 20.6 x 16 cm)
Weight — 2.5 lb. (1.1 kg)

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DATABUFFER PLUS
2. Introduction
The DataBuffer Plus is a versatile buffering device that accepts data rapidly from
your computer and sends it to a printer or plotter. The DataBuffer Plus also takes
data from or sends data to other devices such as scanners and modems. The
DataBuffer Plus comes in the following models:
• DataBuffer Plus-128K-S/S (PI405A(E))— serial-to-serial version with 128 KB
of memory.
• DataBuffer Plus-128K-S/P (PI415A(E))— serial-to-parallel version with 128 KB
of memory.
• DataBuffer Plus-128K-P/P (PI420A(E))— parallel-to-parallel version with
128 KB of memory.
• DataBuffer Plus-128K-P/S (PI425A(E))— parallel-to-serial version with 128 KB
of memory.
• DataBuffer Plus-256K-S/S (PI406A(E))— serial-to-serial version with 256 KB
of memory.
• DataBuffer Plus-256K-S/P (PI416A(E))— serial-to-parallel version with 256 KB
of memory.
• DataBuffer Plus-256K-P/P (PI421A(E))— parallel-to-parallel version with
256 KB of memory.
• DataBuffer Plus-256K-P/S (PI426A(E))— parallel-to-serial version with 256 KB
of memory.
• DataBuffer Plus-512K-S/S (PI407A(E))— serial-to-serial version with 512 KB
of memory.
• DataBuffer Plus-512K-S/P (PI417A(E))— serial-to-parallel version with 512 KB
of memory.
• DataBuffer Plus-512K-P/P (PI423A(E))— parallel-to-parallel version with
512 KB of memory.
• DataBuffer Plus-512K-P/S (PI427A(E))— parallel-to-serial version with 512 KB
of memory.
• DataBuffer Plus-1M-S/S (PI408A(E))— serial-to-serial version with 1MB
of memory.

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DATABUFFER PLUS
• DataBuffer Plus-1M-S/P (PI418A(E))— serial-to-parallel version with 1 MB
of memory.
• DataBuffer Plus-1M-P/P (PI423A(E))— parallel-to-parallel version with 1 MB
of memory.
• DataBuffer Plus-1M-P/S (PI428A(E))— parallel-to-serial version with 1 MB
of memory.
• DataBuffer Plus-2M-S/S (PI409A(E))— serial-to-serial version with 2 MB
of memory.
• DataBuffer Plus-2M-S/P (PI419A(E))— serial-to-parallel version with 2 MB
of memory.
• DataBuffer Plus-2M-P/P (PI424A(E))— parallel-to-parallel version with 2 MB
of memory.
• DataBuffer Plus-2M-P/S (PI429A(E))— parallel-to-serial version with 2 MB
of memory.

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DATABUFFER PLUS
3. Installation and Configuration
To install the DataBuffer Plus, simply connect the unit’s input side to your
computer and the unit’s output side to your printer using the appropriate cables.
The cables you use will depend on your application. Typical input and output
cable order codes are listed below. Figures 3-1 and 3-2 show two typical
applications of the DataBuffer Plus.
Typical Input Cables:
• PC/XT™Serial Port— EVNBXL-0010
•AT
®Serial Port— EHNPI02-0010
• PC Parallel Port— ECN25C-0010
Typical Output Cables:
• Serial Printer— ECN25C-0010
• Parallel Printer— EYN600-0010
Figure 3-1. DataBuffer Plus in a Serial-to-Parallel Application.
PC
EHNPI02 EYN600
DataBuffer
Plus
Parallel
Printer

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DATABUFFER PLUS
Figure 3-2. DataBuffer Plus in a Parallel-to-Serial Application.
3.1 Configuration
The DataBuffer Plus has one output port and one input port. Each serial port
must be configured individually for speed, parity, data format, and handshaking
method. Table 3-1 lists these settings. The unit is also equipped with Copy/Pause
and Reset buttons on the front panel. The 8-position DIP switches—S3 for the
output port and S4 for the input port—are located on the rear panel of the unit.
The switches are for setting speed, data format, and flow-control options on serial
ports. Parallel ports do not have DIP switches.
S3 controls the output port and S4 controls the input port. Setting S3 or S4 to
the “up” position opens the switch (OFF position); setting S3 or S4 to the “down”
position closes it (ON position).
After you reset S3 or S4, either power down the unit or press the Reset switch
again.
3.2 Self-Test
The DataBuffer Plus also has a self-test feature. To begin the self-test, press and
hold the Reset switch while you press and hold the Copy/Pause switch. Release
Reset, then release Copy/Pause. The unit transmits the test message to the output
port only. The test message continues to print until you press the Reset switch
again.
PC
ECN25C ECN25C
DataBuffer
Plus
Serial
Printer

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DATABUFFER PLUS
Table 3-1. Switch Settings (Up=Off, Down=On).
Switch Position
(S3 input, S4 output) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Baud Rate
115200 OFF OFF OFF
57600 ON OFF OFF
38400 OFF ON OFF
19200 ON ON OFF
9600 OFF OFF ON
2400 ON OFF ON
1200 OFF ON ON
300 ON ON ON
Data Bits
8 OFF
7ON
Parity
Even OFF
Odd ON
Parity
Disable OFF
Enable ON
Flow Control
Hardware OFF
Software ON
Port Type
Serial OFF

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DATABUFFER PLUS
4. Operation
You can set all the options with the Reset and Copy/Pause buttons. Different
options and settings are described below. The placement of the buttons and
switches is shown in Figures 4-1 and 4-2.
4.1 Switches and Pushbuttons
4.1.1 R ESET B UTTON
When pressed, Reset causes the unit to “read” the settings. If you change any of the
DIP switches on the rear of the unit, you must press Reset for the unit to “read”
those changes. Reset also clears the copy feature (see Copy/Pause) and clears all
data in the buffer.
Figure 4-1. Front Panel of the DataBuffer Plus.
Figure 4-2. Rear Panel of the DataBuffer Plus.
COPY / PAUSE
RESET
FOUR 7-SEGMENT
DISPLAYS
Output Connector
DB25 female
S3 S4 Input Connector
DB25 female

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DATABUFFER PLUS
4.1.2 LED S
Four 7-segment LEDs are located on the front panel of the DataBuffer Plus. These
LEDs are similar to a digital-clock display. The LEDs continuously display the
amount of data in the buffer in kilobytes. These LEDs also aid you when you preset
multiple copies. You don’t have to remember how many copies you set, simply
press the Copy/Pause button again and the LEDs will give you a digital display
of the amount.
4.1.3 C OPY /P AUSE B
UTTON
Presetting multiple copies. First, press the Reset button to clear all previous settings.
Before you send the data, depress the Copy/Pause switch once for each copy you
want printed. For example, if you want 10 copies of a document, press the
Copy/Pause button 10 times before sending the document to the DataBuffer Plus.
The LED displays the number of copies set each time you add a copy. You can set
the unit to print up to 999 copies.
Printing one additional copy. For one additional copy of the data you just sent, press
the Copy/Pause button. One copy of the most recent job sent to the buffer is sent
to the printer. The LEDs display the original number of preset copies. As you add
copies, the LEDs display your changes. If a 7-second time period of inactivity on
the input port occurs, the unit considers it the end of a print job.
Stopping data output. Pressing Copy/Pause while data is being sent stops the output of
data from the buffer while allowing data input to continue. The buffer remains in
the “Pause” mode until you press Copy/Pause again. The LED display gives a readout
of the current buffer status and flashes to indicates the unit is in pause mode.
4.2 Handshaking
The DataBuffer Plus usually accepts data much faster than the output devices
(such as printers) to which it is attached. Handshaking is a form of flow control
that prevents the unit’s output from overrunning the printer’s ability to accept
the data.
Data loss is prevented if equipment connected to the input and output serial
ports support hardware or X-ON/X-OFF handshaking.
4.2.1 H ARDWARE H ANDSHAKING
When the unit’s buffer is nearly full on the input end, it changes Pin 20 from a
high voltage to a low voltage. When the output device (printer) has emptied the
unit’s buffer so that more input data can be accepted, the DataBuffer Plus raises
Pin 20 to a high-level signal.

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DATABUFFER PLUS
The DataBuffer Plus monitors Pin 20 for activity from the output device. When
the device attached to the output port cannot accept any more data, it drops Pin
20. When the output device is ready to accept more data, it returns Pin 20 to a high
level to the DataBuffer Plus.
4.2.2 X-ON/X-OFF H ANDSHAKING
When the unit’s buffer is almost full, it sends an X-OFF character to the input
device via Pin 2. The unit sends an X-ON character via Pin 2 once the output
device has accepted enough data to leave room in the buffer for more input data.
When the output device cannot accept any more data, it sends an X-OFF
character to Pin 2 on the DataBuffer Plus’s output port. When the output device
is ready to receive more data, it sends an X-ON character via Pin 2.
4.3 DataBuffer Plus Input and Output Port Pinouts
Serial Pin Configurations (Input Port DTE) DB25 Female.
Pin Name Source Function
1 FG Chassis ground
2 TD Buffer unit Output from buffer
3 RD Input device Input to buffer
4 RTS Buffer unit Request to send (Held High)
5 CTS Input device Input to buffer
7 GND Signal Ground
20 DTR Buffer unit Output from buffer (hardware
handshaking pin)
Serial Pin Configurations (Output Port DCE) DB25 Female.
Pin Name Source Function
1 FG Chassis ground
2 TD Output device Input to buffer
3 RD Buffer unit Output from buffer
5 CTS Buffer unit Output from buffer
6 DSR Buffer unit Held high tied to 8
7 GND Signal Ground
8 CD Output device Held high tied to 6
20 DTR Buffer unit Input to buffer (hardware
handshaking pin)

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DATABUFFER PLUS
Centronics®Port Pin Configurations (DB25 Input female, Output male).
Pin Name Function
1 Strobe
2 Data1
3 Data2
4 Data3
5 Data4
6 Data5
7 Data6
8 Data7
9 Data8
10 ACK
11 Busy
12 PE GND
13 Select High
14 Autofeed NC
15 Fault High
16
17 NC
18 NC
19-25 GND

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DATABUFFER PLUS
5. Troubleshooting
Problem: No output to the printer.
Solution: Try outputting the self-test to the printer (see Section 3.2).
A.If the self-test works, the problem is with the input port. Check your
cable and switch settings.
B.If the self-test will not work on the output serial port, the unit may be set up for
hardware handshaking and Pin 20 (DTR) may not be set high on the output
port. When the unit is set up for hardware handshaking, the unit must
recognize a high voltage on Pin 20 to enable data to output from the unit.
Problem: The self-test works, but the data will not pass through the unit.
Solution: For serial-to-serial or parallel-to-parallel models, try to connect the two
cables connected to the unit’s input and output ports. Try to pass data through
both cables. If this is unsuccessful, contact Black Box Technical Support.
NOTE
Parallel cables should not exceed 20 feet (6.1 m) for a valid test. Typical
serial cables should not exceed 50 feet (15.2 m).